The story of immigration is a common one to citizens today.

Founded by immigrants, built by immigrants: everyone, somewhere on their family tree has a great grandfather, or great- great grandmother who left their home country to seek a better fortune in America. Immigration continues today both legally and illegally, but the number of aliens entering the country now does not compare to the number of people arriving at Ellis Island in 1900. Between 1900-1915, more than 15 million immigrants arrived at Ellis Island and by 1914, three fourths of New Yorks population was comprised of immigrants.1 Today, the American way comes from the blend of traditions, foods, and mannerisms that were brought from all corners of the world by people trying to find a better life. In this era, the question of what being American is has no right or wrong answer, but in the 1900s, fitting in was of the upmost importance if one wished to succeed in this new land. Ravage discovers this shortly after his arrival in the new land. With a steep learning curve, he formulates his own idea of what being American is. Becoming an American means to fulfill the American identity. In Ravages case, he considers the American identity to mean that one must speak the language, dress appropriately, and be well-educated. Once Ravage accomplishes these tasks, he considers himself Americanized. Ravages reasons for leaving Romania were similar to many other immigrants reasons for flight. The Romanian government, prejudiced against those of Jewish faith, created laws that restricted the Jewish people from obtaining wealth and status in a community. Ravages fathers dreams of his son becoming a doctor are thwarted and the imminent draft into the military looms. When a cousin who had been to America visits Library of Congress. Immigrants in the Progressive Era. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentatio ns/timeline/progress/immigrnt/ (accessed September 13, 2012).
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Ravages homeland, inspiration strikes Ravage, and he begins a quest to reach America. He walks with a group of boys, a common mode of transportation to America from Romania, and eventually boards a steamer that carries him to Ellis Island. His arrival is not full of glory, as some immigrant tales depict. Instead, he encounters disappointment. Jobs are plentiful, but only to those who are not considered greenhorns or newly-arrived immigrants. Ravage discovers that in order to rid himself of the nickname, he must assimilate and become Americanized. His first step to Americanization was to find a way to buy new clothes. Ravage is baffled after several failed job interviews as to why he is not being hired. One employer gives Ravage the key to his confusion when he is looked over from head to foot, and then, with a contemptuous glance at [his] shabby foreign shoes. (93)2 If the first step to becoming an American is to find a job, then by default, purchasing American clothes is the next because in order to have a job one must have American clothes. (94)2 Clothes are indications of culture anywhere. Even within counties or schools, wearing the right clothes is of upmost importance if one wishes to blend into the culture of the location. The clothes that Ravage wears highlight him as a foreigner and this makes people prejudiced against him. Wearing the right clothes at the right time is also an important aspect. Ravage is shocked by the wearing of finery to do simple tasks such as going to the market. In Romania, the best clothes were reserved only for religious services. Once one is able to

Ravage, Marcus Eli. An American in the Making: The Life Story of an Immigrant. Edited and introduction by Steven G. Kellman. New Brunswick, New Jersey and London: Rutgers University Press (1916, 1936, 2009).

wear the right clothes at the right times, one can consider himself one step closer to becoming an American. The language of place is also an important aspect to learn. If one wishes to fit in, he must be able to communicate effectively and fluently. Living in America without knowing the Americans language was stupid,2 Ravage concludes, and he goes about the business of learning the language. Learning English on the East Side is a mixture of corrections from the more Americanized people. The first direct reference to Americanization refers to the people who have been in America longer and are more aware of the culture, customs, and language. Learning a countrys language is an important part of becoming one with the culture. It means that you have immersed yourself and studied sufficiently to converse with natives. What sets you apart and truly makes you part of the culture is to learn the nuances and vernacular. Ravage heads to Missouri, considering it the real America, but when he arrives there, he struggles to befriend the Missourians. Soon after, he realizes that one reason why [he] could not get on with [the] fellows was that [he] did not speak their language.2 While Ravage can pronounce like a native, he speaks English like a foreigner. His next step to Americanize himself is to learn the colloquialisms. To be an American, one must prove that he is a member of the society. In the 1900s having a job, and having a social circle grants you acceptance into the society. In order for one to obtain this, they must be able to speak the language, and to communicate properly. Ravages first interaction with America comes from his cousin, Couza. Couza returns from the golden country with tales of riches and acceptance. Soon after his arrival, the citizens of Vaslui begin to realize that they are not of the same standing as Couza anymore. His sojourn to America has made him a more cultured and learned person. He points this

out by telling another relative that living in such a place as Vaslui, where grown men did not know the things that every child in New York [knows],2 is brutalizing. Ravage admits that this is a harsh statement, but concedes its truthfulness. Additionally, Couza rants about how schooling in Romania is far inferior to that of American education. He goes on to tell the village about how education is free and compulsory for children, and Couza encouraged adults to also become educated. It is these tales that inspire Ravage to go to America in order to fulfill his fathers lifelong dream of Ravage becoming a doctor. Ravage begins to form the idea of the Americans: that they are well-educated and well-cultured, unlike the villagers in Vaslui where few have attended school. When Ravage arrives in America, his first attempt at becoming educated is to simply learn correct English. As the book progresses, Ravage reads philosophical texts and eventually begins attending night school. The apex of his education comes when he enrolls at Missouri State. By going through the pains of enrolling and travelling and studying, Ravage is attempting to fully become an America. Education is something that all Americans must obtain, so by an immigrant also seeking out knowledge, he is creating shared experiences, tales that he can reminisce upon while speaking to a native. By have those similar experiences, an immigrant can shed some prejudices against him and blend into the culture. As Ravage arrives in America, he reflects upon his own ideas of American life, he makes inferences on what being American is and sets out to complete them. It is through the learning of the language, wearing the right clothing, and becoming a well-educated citizen that Ravage successfully morphs into a American citizen, a revelation that comes to him after he visits his New York relatives after his first year of college. In the conclusion of

the memoir, he views his family as a Western American, seeing [his self] as those others had seen [him]2 This realization successfully proves that he has become a true American.