The first meal was an object lesson of much variety. My father produced several kinds of food, ready to eat, without any cooking, from little tin cans that had printing all over them. Mary Antin cancookeat Change image and share on social
His struggle for a bare living left him no time to take advantage of the public evening school. In time he learned to read, to follow a conversation or lecture; but he never learned to write correctly; and his pronunciation remains extremely foreign to this day. Mary Antin advantagebareconversation share on social
As we moved along in a little procession, I was delighted with the illumination of the streets. So many lamps, and they burned until morning, my father said, and so people did not need to carry lanterns. Mary Antin burncarrydelight share on social
You went up to be examined with the other Jewish children, your heart heavy about that matter of your nose. Mary Antin childexamineheart Change image and share on social
In the evening of the first day my father conducted us to the public baths. Mary Antin bathconductday Change image and share on social
Our mothers are racked with the pains of our physical birth; we ourselves suffer the longer pains of our spiritual growth. Mary Antin birthgrowthlong Change image and share on social
The czar was always sending us commands - you shall not do this and you shall not do that - till there was very little left that we might do, except pay tribute and die. Mary Antin commandczardie Change image and share on social
You heard on all sides that the brightest Jewish children were turned down if the examining officers did not like the turn of their noses. Mary Antin brightchildexamine Change image and share on social
If education, culture, the higher life were shining things to be worshiped from afar, he had still a means left whereby he could draw one step nearer to them. Mary Antin afarculturedraw Change image and share on social
We are not born all at once, but by bits. The body first, and the spirit later; and the birth and growth of the spirit, in those who are attentive to their own inner life, are slow and exceedingly painful. Mary Antin attentivebearbirth share on social
