Bread Givers Chapters 10-16 Summary

Chapter 10

• Sara recalls a newspaper story about a girl who pursued education and became a teacher.
• She finds an inexpensive, rundown room to live in and starts working at a laundry, ironing clothes.
• Contemplates her life choices before isolating herself in her new room, recognizing it as a step towards independence.
• Enrolls in night classes, studying English and math among 50 peers.
• Organizes her time into a strict schedule: 10 hours of work, 2 hours of class, and 2 hours of homework.

Chapter 11

• Experiences extreme hunger due to financial struggles, impacting her ability to buy food.
• Accidentally burns a shirt while working, leading to a $3 deduction from her pay.
• Orders stew at a cafeteria, but receives less meat than expected, causing frustration rooted in inequality.
• Struggles with coldness at home while studying, expressing vulnerability in her living conditions.
• Receives a visit from her mother, who brings comfort items, including a feather bed and pickled herring.
• Sara feels guilty for her mother's disappointment in her absence and vows to visit after graduating, emphasizing her determination to avoid "wasting" her youth.

Chapter 12

• Sara feels the weight of loneliness until her sisters Fania and Bessie visit.
• Fania, dressed elegantly, contrasts sharply with Bessie's humble attire, reflecting their disparate life choices.
• Fania invites Sara to California, which Sara declines to focus on her education.
• Notices Fania's weariness and loneliness, revealing the strain of her marriage, particularly her husband's gambling habits.
• Bessie shares her struggles with difficult stepchildren, showcasing her dissatisfaction with her family life.
• Sara perceives Bessie as aging prematurely, deciding against marriage to stay true to her personal goals.
• Fania likens Sara’s dedication to their father and the teachings of the Torah, highlighting the theme of ambition and familial expectations.