Sara and her father have many clashes throughout the novel. Sara, visibly, does not appreciate the way her father commands her family. She despises how he ruins her sisters’ lives, yet still believes in his stubborn in his ways. Even with all her resentment towards him, she continues to live under him, until he buys an unsuccessful business. This is when she decides to leave her home. However, even though Sara feels so much resentment towards her father, there are a few similarities in her and her father’s personalities.
The biggest similarity between the Sarah and her father is their strong will and devotion. Reb Smolinsky is fully dedicated to religion. He does not see much other than the words of the Book he follows. In his devotion to religion, Smolinsky pays little attention to the problems in his home and leaves financial burdens on his wife and daughters. Just as her father is devoted to religion, Sara feels a longing to be independent and educated. Even with all the hardships that come her way, she has does not back down from her goal. While her father goes to the extent of disowning her because of her ambitions, Sara does not back down. Because of her strong will, Sara is called “blood and iron” by her father.
At times, their strong wills do translate to useless stubbornness and selfishness. Smolinsky’s stubbornness is shown in his insistence that he runs the house. He insists upon making all the decisions in the house even though he often makes costly mistakes. Sara’s stubbornness shows when she leaves her home. She does not want to put up with her father and decides that she will not do so. Even though she has no other definite residence and lives in an incredibly patriarchal society, her decision is final. Sara’s action was also a bit selfish. While many may think she was doing what was necessary for her freedom, Sara does end up leaving her poor mother alone to carry financial burdens and to deal with Smolinsky.
