Summary
Summary of Elkan Lubliner, American
Key ideas
Key idea 1
An unexpected boy finds a home
Marcus Polatkin and Philip Scheikowitz expect a father and son to arrive from Russia, but only a boy appears at Ellis Island, dragging a huge bundle. The father has stayed behind and spent his passage money on a wedding. Faced with the boy's tears, the quarrelling partners soften.
Philip buys him a suit and a meal. Within a year, the boy offers his savings to pay for his keep. Behind the men's loud arguments, a bond of care is taking shape.
Key idea 2
Philip chooses to remain an uncle
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Key idea 3
Elkan makes his own opening
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Key idea 4
Elkan chooses beyond the arranged match
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Key idea 5
Ambition leads to an unexpected meeting
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Key idea 6
A customer's wishes become a threat
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Key idea 7
Elkan refuses to be pushed around
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Key idea 8
Buying chairs opens another obligation
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Key idea 9
Kindness takes a place beside ambition
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The rest of the summary, written and spoken, and the whole book: free to start.
Read the rest freeWho it’s for
Readers who love dialogue-driven comedy, Jewish New York at the turn of the century, and underdog stories where cleverness and warmth win the day. It suits anyone who enjoys a good argument between old friends.
What this book is
A boy steps off a boat at Ellis Island with the wrong name, a huge bundle and no father in sight. Elkan Lubliner, American is a comic novel by Montague Glass about a Russian immigrant who climbs from the Lower East Side to a partnership in a cloak and suit firm. He gets there with his wits, his fists and his kind heart. Two bickering partners, Marcus Polatkin and Philip Scheikowitz, shout at each other and secretly adore the boy. Each episode is a small comedy of business, family and love.
In this summary
- 1A boy arrives with the wrong nameFree
- 2The true name comes out
- 3A sick cousin becomes a salesman
- 4Two matchmakers and a maid
- 5Chasing high-grade business
- 6The lion, the mouse and the Brooklyn house
- 7Closing day at the lawyer's office
- 8Antique chairs and a creditors' meeting
- 9Brown fish and a seaside courtship
Key point 1 of 9
A boy arrives with the wrong name
Marcus Polatkin and Philip Scheikowitz argue over a letter from Russia. Philip's brother-in-law Borrochson fears for his life and wants passage money for himself and his son Yosel. Marcus sneers, but Philip sends the tickets anyway.
At Ellis Island only a fifteen-year-old boy comes through the gate, hauling a huge bundle. His father stayed behind in Minsk. Borrochson sold the ticket and spent the money on his wedding to a landlord's widow.
The boy weeps, and both men soften. Philip buys him a gray suit and a hot meal. Within a year the boy saves a hundred dollars and offers it for his keep. Philip is moved, and it is the first sign of how much these loud men care.
That’s 1 of 9 key points.
The rest of the summary, written and spoken, and the whole book: free to start.
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Check yourself
What does Philip decide after learning Elkan is not his nephew?
Right. “Philip thinks it over all night and decides that since he started as the boy's uncle, he will stay one.”Not quite. “Philip thinks it over all night and decides that since he started as the boy's uncle, he will stay one.”
How does Elkan respond to the partners' marriage plans?
Right. “He sends Rashkind away and returns to propose.”Not quite. “He sends Rashkind away and returns to propose.”
What matters more than impressive entertaining in Elkan's business dealings?
Right. “Elkan's loyalty to ordinary people matters more than any fancy dinner.”Not quite. “Elkan's loyalty to ordinary people matters more than any fancy dinner.”
Questions about Elkan Lubliner, American
What is Elkan Lubliner, American about?
It follows a young Russian Jewish immigrant who goes to work for two bickering garment makers in New York and rises to become their partner. Each chapter is a comic episode about business, family and romance.
Who is Elkan Lubliner?
He is a boy who comes to America in place of another boy's ticket, takes the name Joseph Borrochson, and later uses his real name. He is quick, honest and loyal, and he grows from cutter to salesman to partner.
Who are Polatkin and Scheikowitz?
They are the partners of the garment firm that takes Elkan in. They argue constantly and scheme against each other, but each secretly treats Elkan as a son, and their quarrels supply much of the humor.
When was Elkan Lubliner, American written, and is it a true story?
It is a work of fiction by Montague Glass, set in the New York garment trade in the early twentieth century. The businesses, streets and speech come from the author's knowledge of that world.
Is Elkan Lubliner, American easy to read?
The chapters are short comic episodes, and most of the story is lively dialogue. Yiddish words are easy to follow from context, so the jokes and quarrels carry the reader along.
