The Washwoman Isaac B Singer Page 650 Isaac

“The Washwoman” Isaac B. Singer Page 650

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

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?

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

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?

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” (653)

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” (654). 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” (655).