The Son From America Essay

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At the end of 2015, there were nearly 250 million people living in countries other than their homelands. These “international migrants” make up approximately 3.3% of the world’s population (Taylor). These statistics lead an individual to wonder: what could entice so many of the world’s people to leave their homes for an entirely new nation? There are many reasons for migration, both by choice and by necessity. These concepts are highlighted both by research concerning today’s society and in Isaac Singer’s short story “The Son From America.” In today’s world, there are many reasons why a person might emigrate from their homeland, but most of these fall under two categories: choice migration and forced migration. In choice migration, a migrant …show more content…

Though his parents are unable to understand it, Samuel moves from their small village of Lentshin, Poland to the United States at the young age of fifteen. There Samuel hopes to find wealth and prosperity far beyond that of his life in Poland and in the end is successful; he creates a life as a profitable baker with a family of his own and money to spare for his parents back home: “…Samuel […] had gone to America forty years ago. It was said in Lentshin that he became a millionaire there” (Singer 160). This is an obvious example of choice migration, as Samuel makes the choice to move for both social economic reasons. Although Samuel is moving away from his family, friends, and everything he had previously known, because he is doing it to obtain a better quality of living, this falls under the umbrella of social migration. His search for prosperity and fortune are clear signs of economic migration. His choice to migrate is on the whole successful, as he gains considerable wealth and status in America; however, with this financial gain comes the sacrifice of culture and connection with family overseas, consequences all potential emigrants must face. Overall, Sam’s migration to America paints a clear image of choice migration and the benefits and consequences

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