The Jazz Singer And Brighton Beach Memoirs: Generational Differences

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Generational Differences The films The Jazz Singer and Brighton Beach Memoirs have a different sense of Jewish values. The two films are in two different decades, the ‘20’s and ‘30’s respectively, so the biggest difference is going to be the generation, where in The Jazz Singer there were mostly immigrants, and in Brighton Beach Memoirs there were second generation immigrants. From this, it is determined that the first generation Jewish immigrants was focused on being Jewish while also successful, and the second was about being successful while also Jewish. In the Rabinowitz family there were three characters, two of which were immigrants, and one of which was a second generation immigrant. The two first generations, mama and papa, were very focused on making sure Jewish values and behaviour were instilled upon Jackie, the second generation immigrant. Mainly this comes up in Jackie’s career choice. While his father wanted him to continue tradition and become a cantor for their very traditional synagogue, Jackie wanted to become a jazz singer. This change of goals was extremely disapproved of by Jackie’s father, who disowned him in practice but not …show more content…

While the first generation Jews and third generation do not overlap, and therefore can’t be compared, the second generation does. In The Jazz Singer the first generation was about keeping with Jewish values and traditions, whereas the second generation was about being successful as well. In the Jerome family, there was a larger emphasis on working their way up the socioeconomic ladder than being Jewish. The raising of the children is the key. In the Rabinowitz family Jackie was raised to be observant, obedient, and a cantor. In the Jerome family the children were raised to be regular Americans, get good educations, and follow the Jewish traditions in the background of their lives. This is seen with the cemetery and whispering the names of

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