The English Lesson by Nicholasa Mohr
"The English Lesson" by Nicholasa Mohr explores the dynamics of an adult-education English class in Queens, New York, aimed at immigrants. The story revolves around Susan, the enthusiastic teacher, who believes in the importance of her role in helping predominantly Hispanic students improve their English skills to build better futures. The students, each with unique backgrounds and aspirations, share their reasons for attending class; many express a desire for U.S. citizenship, highlighting themes of identity and belonging.
Central to the narrative are the contrasting perspectives of the students. For instance, Diego Torres, a Dominican immigrant, proudly rejects the notion of citizenship, while his classmate Aldo Fabrizi passionately advocates for it. The interactions among the students reveal their struggles, hopes, and the cultural complexities of immigration. As the class concludes, there is a sense of camaraderie and mutual support, particularly illustrated in the bond between William and Lali, who look forward to continuing their education together. The story captures the essence of the immigrant experience, emphasizing both the challenges and the community formed through shared learning.
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The English Lesson by Nicholasa Mohr
First published: 1986
Type of plot: Domestic realism
Time of work: The 1970's
Locale: New York's Spanish Harlem
Principal Characters:
Susan Hamma , a teacherLali Padillo , a Puerto Rican immigrant womanWilliam Horacio Colón , a Puerto Rican immigrant who works at the luncheonette
The Story
Susan Hamma, a history teacher from a junior college in Queens, is teaching an adult-education class for immigrants trying to learn English. She is an exuberant woman who is convinced that the small group of mostly Hispanic students in her class desperately need her services, reasoning that if they can come to class after working all day in dreary, boring, even revolting jobs, the least she can do is make every lesson count.
Susan has asked the students to make oral statements about where they are from, why they are taking her class, and what their plans are. William Colón, a dwarfish man who is almost the same height standing as sitting, begins the recitation pattern that most of the students follow. All the students stand and read a prepared statement indicating that they have come to the United States in search of a better future, that they are living with relatives, and that they are working as unskilled laborers. All the legal aliens indicate that they want to become American citizens, except for Diego Torres, a young man from the Dominican Republic. When Susan urges Torres to be brief, he snaps at her that he is not finished, insists that he is proud to be Dominican, and maintains that he has no desire to be a U.S. citizen. Aldo Fabrizi, an Italian immigrant who does want to become an American, speaks passionately about his goal, scolding and challenging Diego Torres, who only yawns and closes his eyes.
The last student to recite is Stephan Paczkowski, a Polish immigrant, who was a professor of music at the University of Krakow for ten years until his wife, also a professor, was asked to leave the country because she had Jewish parents. He now works as a porter in the maintenance department of a large hospital. At the close of the class meeting, William walks home with Lali Padillo, a Puerto Rican immigrant whose husband, Rudi, runs the luncheonette where she and William work. They talk together about the class, and William urges Lali not to be embarrassed about her poor English skills.
On the last night of the class, Susan brings coffee and cookies for a treat. Lali is sorry to see the class end, for it has meant an escape from the luncheonette and Rudi and all the things that she believes imprison her. Diego Torres and Aldo Fabrizi goodnaturedly argue about the merits of citizenship, the students praise Susan for her teaching, and everyone says good-bye. William and Lali, who have made plans to take a more advanced English class together the following term, walk home, teasing each other by imitating Susan.