An Analysis Of Anzia Yezierkha's Essay 'Soap And Water'

In 2007, the oldest college student graduated at the age of 95 years old, with a Bachelor’s degree in general studies. Many Americans of all ages attend college, from recent high-school graduates to older adults, whom are considered to be non-traditional students. Some of these students did not receive a four year high-school degree, but did receive a GED; some have a husband or wife and kids at home, or can be a single parent, and they have a full time job while attending school. Non-traditional students have to sacrifice a great deal to achieve their goals. In Anzia Yezierkha’s essay, “Soap and Water,” she describes the terrible situations she has to go through as a Russian immigrant, working full time in a hot steamy laundry mat, while trying to obtain her college degree as a teacher. In “Soap and Water,” she recounts her difficult four years in college much the same as a non-traditional student may encounter, the struggles she had with Professors and students, while working fulltime such as a non-traditional student at any college today; with all the personal pain and working so hard, to finally achieving of her dream also known as the “American Dream.”

Non-traditional students who attend college at an older age decide to attend school, because some students now have time, as they had children at young age and their kids are older now. Many of these non-traditional students, did not have a chance to attend because they were raised in a low income family, so they have start working to help their parents; as Yezierska lived. She finally attended college because she saved the money to pay for it herself. In her story she finds out that working and going to school is frowned upon at her new