Introduction

The main of theme of this story is one of immigration to the U.S. and how said immigrants assimilated to some parts of society but not to others. The Gilded Age while being known for abundance of corruption throughout the country was also known for the intense amount of immigration the U.S. experienced. This new wave of migrants would be full of people who were polarizing to the prominent Anglo culture of Protestantism with many immigrants of this era speaking different languages and going to different churches than that of many Americans. The United States policy of assimilation versus integration defined the immigrant experience and their subsequent achievements as well as their failures. This story will chronicle all the triumphs and tribulations an immigrant went through during the era with a Polish immigrant known as Felix.

Felix Gerik was born on June 13th in 1880. Felix was born from a Polish family in Russia where he, as well as family, would face much discrimination. When he turned 17, Felix had nothing.

One day when visiting his Uncle, Felix would hear of his cousin's success in America. His mind was blown away by the mysticism and wonder that America had, hoping one day he could join his cousin in the hall of success.

Felix's thinking was put to practice and he left, promising all his family he'd be like his cousin. Felix would begin his great trek on a hopeful note, unaware of the dangers lying ahead.

Felix's first problem he would face was of transport. The only port in his home country of Russia that would ferry people to the U.S. was too expensive. Felix's only safe option now was to cross into Germany, illegally.

Undeterred by this, Felix traversed the border security and had made it into Germany, eventually making it to a port that would ferry him and off he went.

Felix's ferry would be densely packed and uncomfortable, often be huddled in tiny rooms full of almost 50 people. His bunk mates along with the rest of the passengers, however, would all be carrying the same desire as Felix, to make it big in America.