come Americanized-family and culture-may not be readily apparent, given one's economic and status gains from the process. Both Yezierska and Levinson cleverly insinuate this. As Sara grows older, she turns her persistence into a mechanism to better herself and completely and single-handedly used her determination as a way to improve her personal situation and be self-sufficient. It seems that the more assimilated to the American culture one becomes, the lonelier they appear. This trend of loneliness is also exemplified in the final scene of Avalon where patriarchal Sam is alone, the product of assimilation. Through example, Sam, being the patriarchal father, suggested an adaptation in the hopes that Jules would simply have a better life than that of a wallpaper-hanger. In putting television in place a New World, Levinson portrays how a cheap, gaudy, poor substitute somehow seduced and enraptured the family. Perhaps Levinson is saying that although it may be the easier to converge, assimilation is too costly. On the other hand, you have Reb whose stubborn beliefs and male superiority coupled with a passive wife allow him to claim control over his daughter's lives. Resentment is quite damaging and separates families as well. Either way you look at it the outlook is favorable for neither assimilation nor isolation. And so I conclude in saying that the patriarchal father has an especially important role and while he needs the strength found in Yezierska's character, Reb, (in order to hold the family together) he must also be willing to adapt to a changing reality. Immigration is neither a call for assimilation nor isolation. Individuality is important, but why resist change when you can better yourself in the process....
