Key Facts
full title ·
Bread Givers
author · Anzia Yezierska
type of work · Novel
genre · Coming-of-age; family drama
language · English
time and place written · New York City in the early 1920s
date of first publication · 1925
publisher · Doubleday
narrator · Sara Smolinsky
point of view · The narrator speaks in first person, focusing only on Sara's thoughts,
feelings, and perspective. Though the motivations of the other characters are
occasionally discussed, the narrator usually gives only an objective view of
their appearance and actions as they would appear to an outside
observer.
tone · The narrator's tone is passionate as she discusses her feelings, life,
and family.
tense · Past tense
setting (time) · 1910s to early 1920s
setting (place) · New York City
protagonist · Sara Smolinsky
major conflict · Sara struggles to develop her own identity against the opposition of
her father and culture.
rising action · After Reb Smolinsky crushes Sara's sisters' dreams in the name of
culture, Sara becomes more and more aware of her father's tyranny and
injustice.
climax · After her father berates a minor decision of Sara's, she can no longer
take the constant scolding and restrictions, and she runs away to begin a new
life.
falling action · Living on her own, Sara works to become a teacher and to reconcile her
need for independence with her need for her father's acceptance
themes · The hazards of dependence; the conflict between independence and family
obligations; the elusiveness of happiness
motifs · Inadequate providers; the oppression of women; the yearning for
pleasure
symbols · Internal light; solitude; a “real” person
foreshadowing · As a child, Sara develops a crush on Morris Lipkin because of the words
he writes. Later, she develops a crush on another educated man, Mr. Edman,
because of the words he speaks in class.
· Despite her mother's doubt, Sara makes a profit selling herring on the
street. Later, Sara will achieve her dream of becoming a teacher, despite her
father's doubts.
· Reb Smolinsky's choice of husbands for his oldest daughters trap them
in unhappy marriages. Later, the new wife he chooses for himself traps him in an
equally unhappy marriage.
· The girls at the laundry reject Sara, despite her attempts to dress
like them. Later, the girls at the college also refuse to accept Sara when she
attempts to look like them.
