Audacity Flashcards
When Clara is young, she wishes she had been born a boy instead of a girl. In what ways are Clara’s interests different from those of her family’s expectations of girls in her culture?
She wants to read and learn. They say it is enough for her to learn to cook and clean house. Education is for boys.
What language does Clara’s family speak? What language does Clara learn secretly?
Yiddish, Russian
What is her religious background?
Jewish
Why does Clara’s family leave Russia?
Jews are being persecuted, killed, blamed for the death of a Christian boy
Clara shows Isabella, a young mother, several kindnesses during their journey across the ocean. Name one.
- Getting food and water for her when the baby Nicco is sick
- Staying up with her and grieving when the baby dies (shiva)
- sprucing her up when waiting in line for the medical exam when they arrive in NYC
At the end of the boat ride across the ocean, when Clara and her family land in New York, they are each given a medical inspection. What happens to Clara’s family?
Nathan is held back for a lung infection, everyone else is allowed through.
Clara earns money for her family by working during the day at a sweatshop in the garment district making waist-shirts. How does she treat herself in the evenings for getting through the hard work and awful working conditions of the day?
Visits the library to read in Russian and learn/study English
The longer Clara works in the garment district, the more she decides she must speak out against the conditions in the factories. What are some of the conditions she thinks are inexcusable?
Workers are locked in.
Workers are not allowed bathroom breaks.
It is very hot.
Hours are long and work is demanding with few breaks.
Owners/Foremen touch workers inappropriately.
What does Clara decide to do about the working conditions?
Works to start a union
Goes on strike
What happens when Clara attends meetings for the men’s union?
They don’t want women to be a part of their union.
What kinds of experiences does Clara have because she is trying to improve conditions for the workers?
She is beaten several times.
