Hilda Polacheck's I Came A Outsider

I Came a Stranger
Have you ever wondered what life was like during the year of 1896 or perhaps how Urban areas could shape the country into different ways? During the year of 1896 Urban areas played a pivotal role in shaping the identity and destiny of the country during Hilda Polacheck lifetime. In Hilda Satt Polacheck’s I came to a stranger she talks about what life was like for a Polish-American along with what was going in America. The year 1896 is commonly known as the “Progressive Era.” The “Progressive Era” was a time where America was extremely divided due to the gap between the rich and the poor, but also the fact that the “Progressive Era” created opportunities and problems for Americans living there at the time. In an ever-growing

country that was catalyzed by the industrial revolution resulted in women achieving milestones on their way to their American dream, the public having a more respected voice leading to the creation of the Hull House, a place that was used to for to temporarily forgot reality.
Although many people believe that the industrial revolution created many problems it helped create more opportunities for Americans. For example, the production of goods increased. This happened due to the industrial revolution creating more job opportunities for people to make a stable income for their families. With production efficiency increasing this made company owners very happy because they could make more of a profit off these items because they were being produced at a faster rate and they didn’t have to pay employees a lot of money to do work. So not only did profits increase, but the fact that people could get their products faster due to production being so effective. Another major thing that industrial revolution could do for American Society was it allowed women the opportunity of being employed. Polacheck writes “I was glad that I could help feed my family” in thought of that even though she may never be going to school again she is going to help provide for her family so they are able to live a nice and happy life. Even though she had left her job the next day due to the fact of her being in a union, she knew she would eventually find a job. After a week had past she had eventually found a job as an operator of a sewing machine. “I was assigned to a machine and our neighbor was given the job of teaching me. She worked on a weekly basis. Her job was to teach all the newcomers.” This relates to the industrial revolution in that it allowed women the opportunity to work, but the fact that Polacheck was able to have a bright future. Even though she didn’t know how to operate a sewing machine at first, she was able to eventually learn and make a profit to help pay for rent for her family.
Without the industrial revolution none of this would’ve been possible because it was able to give the opportunity to work which was unheard of at the time. Another key thing happened with Polacheck being able to work on sewing things in that she writes “There were many classes connected with the Labor Museum. Here we could learn how to cook and sew and also learn about millinery and embroidery.” Even though Polacheck thought she may never see a classroom again she was able to see one in the museum. In order to become a more efficient worker she needed the proper training to make sure she was doing things efficiently and making the most profit. Although some may argue that it wasn’t smart for Polacheck to enter the workforce because she will not get a higher education, but she was able to do both by taking classes to help her become a better sewer. The industrial revolution also help bring out the problems of monopiles that were headed by wealthy business men. For example, Teddy Roosevelt realizing the that monopiles were being created during the time of the industrial revolution such as things like Carnegie, Steel, Rockefeller, and the railroads. Having a monopoly on products would cause massive frustration on the American people because it made the country divided in that the working class was unhappy with the way wealthy business men were taking advantage of them. With Teddy Roosevelt demolishing monopolies it brought America more together in a sense because of the things like the Trust Busting which are used in today’s society. He demolished monopiles because he wanted to help the working class. Monopiles only benefit the wealthy and without the industrial revolution exposing the idea of monopiles who knows where the world maybe today. Even though people may view the industrial revolution as a bad thing, there are many things that the industrial revolution did to help Americans have more opportunities for the better.
With Polacheck growing up in an extremely tough time there was an opportunity for many individuals to make a statement or be heard.

This brought out the idea of having a voice of opinion in society. For example, Jane Addams was a critical woman that help change the way women were viewed in society along with giving the people who may not speak a voice to be heard. In Polacheck’s book I came a Stranger she writes, “The American people still do not quite realize that is Jane Addams who woke the conscience of America to the debt that it owed to the great masses of people who were pouring into America.” Polacheck is trying to show how Jane Addams has been a major influence in American society. This shows how she has given other people a chance to restart their lives and to live the American dream that may not have had in their previous country. Another thing that Polacheck writes about Jane Addams says “I do not believe in anarchy, but I do not think it can be stopped by silencing its advocates. It will eventually die of its own inadequacy.” The unique thing about Jane Addams was she voiced her opinion due to the freedom of speech. Women at the time didn’t really voice their opinions because no one would take them seriously, but Jane Addams did it anyway. She could give women who wouldn’t speak against others a voice. Another thing Jane Addams did was she would inspire younger girls and women to stick up for what they believe in. Polacheck also writes, “When there was wrong in the country she wanted it removed and right established in its place.” Jane Addams was still a believer in America, but she wanted the best for

America.
When there was a flaw in society Addams would be the one to say something about it. She even went as far as disguising herself as a man’s name in a newspaper to voice her opinions. This inspired so many people along with people like Hilda Satt Polacheck. With Jane Addams speaking out against flaws in American society it helped the middle class gain a little more power. With Jane Addams speaking out against these issues people were now comfortable calling out the government, specially the working class. As people study history you see a little shift in power for the working class because people are voicing their opinions. If the working class didn’t like something they would let you know about it. For example, if factory workers didn’t want to work for the owner anymore they may revolt and let their opinions be heard. Let the government know that they are being treated with disrespect and try to change the policies towards the working class. With people voicing their opinions you would now see a transfer from social to political reform because the people’s actions are now being heard. This would drive the wealthy class insane because it would screw up their business. With no workers available it was nearly impossible to produce goods. Without a person like Jane Addams the citizens of the United States. wouldn’t have had a say to our government at the time and the people wouldn’t have been able to voice their opinions. Who knows maybe the media wouldn’t have that big of a say in today’s society if it weren’t for activist such as Jane Addams.
Jane Addams was an activist during the 1870’s through the 1930’s. Her creation of the Hull-House was something that changed America forever. The Hull-House was a house that Jane Addams had discovered the idea from her travels in Europe. The Hull-House is a one of a kind place. The first of its kind in America. Her idea help so people reshape their lives and provided a sense of comfort with being around other individuals who were suffering at the time. For example, Hilda Satt Polacheck is Polish immigrant who struggled during this era. Polacheck was associated with all the negative stereotypes about immigrant. The Hull-House was a place that gave her comfort. Polacheck writes “All teachers did volunteer work and felt privileged to be allowed to teach in the Hull-House.” This quote shows honored and well respected the Hull-House was to others because when Polacheck got older she then taught class three times a week at the hull house. The success of the Hull-House was something out of a fairy tale because it was bringing people together and created unity among one another. A unique thing about the Hull-House was the Hull-House Woman’s club. Polacheck writes, “It brought together women from all over the world. Women of wealth and women who barely had enough to eat participated in the discussions of the club on an equal basis. Each had one vote.” The unique aspect of this club was it was people all over the world, wealthy, and poor; but the thing that is very unique is that each woman had a vote during those meetings. This meant it was not like the outside world were women didn’t have the right to vote on anything and you were judged based on social status, but the idea that each woman was able to feel equal. The Hull-House was so inspiring and successful was when Polacheck writes, “The almost daily contacts with Jane Addams gave me and abiding faith in the true principals of Americanism.” Even though there wasn’t many believers that America could be turned around people like Hilda Polacheck believed in that idea because of the idea of what was being said inside the Hull-House. The Hull-House did not just inspire people it saved people. Thanks to Jane Addams many Americans have been “saved” due to having a place where they can escape from reality.