Education as Redemption

The redemptive power of free schooling and open books in the life of an immigrant child.

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The Closed Doors of Polotzk

The Closed Doors of Polotzk The Girl's Share The only education for girls was enough Hebrew to read prayers. Mary's father tried to secure more, but the Jewish school quota shut the door. The Rebbe's Fee The rebbe's fee was a luxury for the poor. Prayer books and the Yiddish Pentateuch were the only library of the home. The Hunger Unfed Mary was left without teacher or book just when her mind was most active. The famine made later plenty sweeter.

The Stolen Primer

The Stolen Primer The Secret School Mary stole her sister's Russian primer and hid in a storeroom to learn the alphabet. She spelled God and goat by the light of a blue glass lamp. The Reward of Mischief She confused the family by reciting her new words and was allowed to take part in the Russian lesson. Education was the one treasure she stole. The Power of Self-Education Her own initiative was the first teacher. She would learn even where doors were shut.

The Free School Door

The Free School Door The Little Guide A girl from across the alley offered to conduct the newcomers to school. No application, no questions, no fees, no restrictions. The Father's Consecration Pinchus handed his children to Miss Nixon as if the act were a prayer. His impossible English could not hide his hopes. The Redemption Begun The schoolroom was a consecration robe. Mary was finally on the path of knowledge.

The Teacher's Print

The Teacher's Print The Uncorrected Paper Miss Dillingham sent Mary's snow composition to a journal, telling the editor that the child had studied English only four months. The Word Made Print Mary's own words came back to her in clear black and white with her name at the end. The vision transformed her consciousness. The Vocation of Writing Education had given her not only knowledge but a voice. From that moment she could write a book.

The Latin School Way

The Latin School Way Mr. Tetlow's Door Mary went in person to consult Mr. Tetlow about the High or Latin School. Her shabby clothes did not embarrass her. The Aristocratic Classroom She sat among Back Bay girls, hungry and cough-racked, but learning Latin footnotes by heart. They rated her by scholarship, not by poverty. The Gate to College The Latin School led to Barnard and to a lifetime of thought in English without an accent. Education had redeemed the promise.

Mary's school-age years in Russia

childhood in Polotzk

September morning in Chelsea

after four months of English

the years after grammar school graduation