Chapter 5: The Italian in New York
Introduction
In this chapter, Riis begins to profile the immigrants of the tenements. He starts out with the Italian immigrants of New York. As some of the most numerous immigrants, the Italians were viewed as “gullible” and often preyed upon. Riis describes trends he sees in their culture and how it affects the ways other people in the city treat them.
p. 41-45
p. 41-45
Summary
The Italian immigrant came to New York in large numbers. They were generally viewed as good tenants because they would put up with corrupt landlord practices without complaint. This quality causes the Italian to be taken advantage of by many different parties. They were "gullible," and as such often were swindled out of money without knowing it. Many of the Italian immigrants did not speak anything other than Italian, and few were even literate in their native language. Many Italians tended to work in the "ash-barrels." They contracted the city for the work; some even lived in their workspace: the dumps. The Italians also operated many beer dives in the Bend (Mulberry Bend). The Italian immigrant was generally a law-abiding citizen of New York; however, his penchant for gambling occasionally attracted police attention. Sundays in the Bend (where the Italian immigrants usually lived) often entailed violent gameplay fromt them. The police stepped in when people were hurt or killed, but often the person who did the killing was not apprehended. They would most likely be brought to justice by their own later on. Overall, the Italians were looked upon favorably by other New Yorkers; they were respectful tenants, good parents, and "as honest as [they were] hot headed."
Key Words
- padrone - an Italian innkeeper or a person who secures employment especially for Italian immigrants
- ash-barrel - dump, contains the refuse of the city
Maps and Pictures
The main Italian district was Mulberry Bend, also called "the Bend" for short. These are photos and maps of the Bend and the people who lived in it. There is also a photo of one of the "beer dives" that the Italian often operated.
Bibliography
Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives. New York: Penquin Books Ltd., 1890. p. 41-45. Print.
Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives. New York: Penquin Books Ltd., 1890. p. 41-45. Print.