Reading Log

The Americanization of Shadrach Cohen by Bruno Lessing is a very interesting story. In the story, we can see the obvious change of both Shadrach and his sons. The author, Bruno Lessing, has described the story in a vivid and dramatic way. In the process of depicting the life of the Jewish family, he has focused on the description of the characters and their dialogues to reveal their inner qualities which are quite precious and impressive.

Belief

Jew is a very pious and civilized race. They are quite devout in Jesus. When the life “grows dark and life becomes earnest...we welcome the consolation"(50) which religion brings. The religious belief has contributed a lot to the survival of Jews after several catastrophes which contained terrible slaughter. Under the guide of a belief where there exists an eternal and fair God who takes charge of everything, human being become humble and ration, rather than greedy and willful. Therefore, people won't feel pride and insufferably arrogant when they remember the existence of God. God has playing a quite important role. He gives relief and hope to the adherents when they are in hard situation and supervises them to make them far from evil and crime. Therefore, Jew always holds hope even in extremely terrible circumstance, rather than being desperate. They remain hardy and become successful after so many calamities. Belief is such a strong motivation which can support us to endure hard situation.

Wisdom

In the story, wisdom, as a shining star, gives me the deepest impression. Shadrach has changed the attitudes of his sons with showing his wisdom. The life without wisdom will be a dim one. Under any circumstances, wisdom is a powerful weapon which will prevent us from being harmed. It directs us how to react in hard occasion and how to choose in the junction in our lives. Therefore, can Shadrach change his sons' behavior and mind. America is such a bourgeois society. Obviously, Shadrach can not change his position in his sons' lives without the success in business. As to Shadrach’ sons, it is very sad that their precious belief and love towards the parents have to be reappear in this way. Meanwhile, the cold fact also reminds us the importance of wisdom which should be our best companion in our lives.

Love

According to Confucius' opinion, the love from our parents is the most altruistic one which we should cherish. I am for the idea strongly. In China, parents give most unselfish care to their offspring and they will build a calm bay for their children to stay when they feel hurt any time in their lives. Therefore, we should love our parents eternally without consideration of their own abilities. Loving parents is not only a practice but also a virtue for Chinese race. Although the new generation has been influenced by other cultures gradually nowadays, we still should keep the morality to give our love to parents in return.

All in all, Bruno Lessing has offered a meaningful story with an aftertaste to me. I have thought a lot through the story which may be immature, but very sincere.

Bruno Lessing. “The Americanization of Shadrach Cohen.” 1903. Rpt. in The International Story: An Anthology with Guidelines for Reading and Writing about Fiction. Ruth Spack. New York: St. Martin’s, 1994.6-8

14.6.07 17:33