My Family Dorothy introduces herself as the eldest child and the first grandchild, doted upon by all and indulgently fed by her grandmother. But because he was long in America, when he returned for a visit, her father was unfamiliar to her, and frightening, even though he told wonderous stories of the new world. Dorothy had a difficult time sharing her mother with her father.
Dorothy describes her maternal grandfather as a stubborn, religious man who was not up to the challenges of his life. He wanted his sons to learn Torah and Talmud. They were poor pupils, but his daughter --Dorothy's mother-- was eager to learn and managed to educate herself -- which engraged her father when he discovered this.
Dorothy describes her maternal grandmother as marvelous; an accomplished entrepreneur and an all-around pleasant person -- except for her sharp tongue. Grandma established and ran a dairy farm that Dorothy loved to visit. Because business was poor in the village and the family was not doing well, Grandma brought the family to live on the farm, which brought Dorothy into close contact with the countryside peasants and their religious practices. As the dairy farm property was rented from a manor, and adjoined the manor's servant quarters, Dorothy also got to know the manor servants -- and their scandals.
At intervals a mysterious aunt would appear. Dorothy later discovered she helped a male member of the family evade the military draft, and was living the life of a fugitive. Eventually she served a term in prision.
After her departure, Dorothy noticed some changes in domestic details. Her father took over cooking chores, an unusual choice. But this did not last; a year later, Dorothy's father again left for America, and the remainder of the family took up lodging in a rented room in the home of an elderly family. Initially, her father did well in America. He sent money and planned for the family to join him.
