The Rise of David Levinsky proves that it is possible to go from rags to riches in America. However, it is clear that not every immigrant makes it. Levinsky happens to be one of the lucky immigrants who literally went from rags to riches. There were plenty of immigrants that we encounter in the novel that did not make it as big as Levinsky did. Examples include the religious tailors Levinsky hired for his shop, or the many union workers who were yelling for higher wages. Even the native-born Bender was not making it until Levinsky gave him a job. It is possible that Cahan purposely put these people who did not make it to prove that for every immigrant that does go from rags to riches, there are many others who do not make it. Cahan also demonstrates that in order to strike it rich in America one needs to be very lucky and work very hard, as we see when Levinsky’s business is just beginning.
The novel also highlights the importance of an education. After reading the novel, I appreciate my (free) college education much more. I would agree with Meyer Nodelman that it is essential to have enough money to live on. However, if provided the means, it is ideal to get educated and trained for a career at the same time. This is, in fact, the modern American university system of liberal arts and education. We first get our general education requirements satisfied as an undergraduate, and then we can also train for our careers both in undergraduate and graduate studies. Thank G-d as Macaulay students, we are able to accomplish this much more easily without worry about financial strains.
