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“The Washwoman”

“The Washwoman”. Isaac B. Singer Page 26. Isaac B. Singer (1904-1991). Born in Poland Jewish ( wrote in Yiddish —language of some Eastern European Jews and their descendants) Short stories, novels, and essays that capture the lessons of everyday life

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“The Washwoman”

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  1. “The Washwoman” Isaac B. Singer Page 26

  2. Isaac B. Singer (1904-1991) • Born in Poland • Jewish (wrote in Yiddish—language of some Eastern European Jews and their descendants) • Short stories, novels, and essays that capture the lessons of everyday life • Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1978

  3. Before You Read… • The media often show the elderly in unrealistic or unflattering ways. • List 3 examples of older characters in movies or on TV shows, or commercials: • What are some positive contributions that the elderly make to our society?

  4. Vocabulary • Gentiles: any persons not Jewish; in this case, specifically Christians • groschen: Austrian cent or penny (this section of Poland ruled by Austria in the early 1900’s) • rancor: deep hatred or bitter hate • obstinacy: stubbornness • indomitable: impossible to subdue or defeat; invincible

  5. Some things to look for… • What type of essay is “The Washwoman?” • What is it about the Washwoman that Isaac Singer admired most? • What does the Washwoman stand for (what do her hands represent)? • How do we know that Singer and his mother are concerned about the Washwoman? • What passage conveys Singer’s feeling that the Washwoman was an extraordinary person and deserves to be rewarded for all of her hard work and dedication?

  6. Notes: • What type of essay is “The Washwoman?” • narrative essay • What is it about the Washwoman that Isaac Singer admired most? • her strength and dedication to her work • What does the Washwoman stand for (what do her hands represent)? • Author believes that it is human nature to strive to overcome obstacles– her hands represent this “stubbornness” (29)

  7. Notes (cont): • How do we know that Singer and his mother are concerned about the Washwoman? • “We mourned, both for the laundry and for the old, toil-worn washwoman who had grown close to us through the years she served us so faithfully” (30). • What passage conveys Singer’s feeling that the Washwoman was an extraordinary person and deserves to be rewarded for all of her hard work and dedication? • “I cannot imagine paradise without this Gentile washwoman. I cannot even conceive of a world where there is no recompense for such effort” (32).

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