NOTES
The Promised Land:—The land of freedom and peace which the Jews have hoped to attain. See Exodus, 3:8; 6:8; Genesis, 12:5-7; Deuteronomy, 8:7-10; Hebrews, 11:9.
his three years of probation:—Mary Antin's father had spent three years in America before sending back to Russia for his family.
Polotzk:—Pronounced Pō'lotsk; a town in Russia on the Dwina River.
seven lean years:—A reference to the famine in Egypt predicted by Joseph, Pharaoh's Hebrew favorite. See Genesis, 40.
Dvina:—The Düna or Dwina River, in Russia.
originally destined:—Mr. Antin's parents had intended him to be a scholar and teacher.
Yiddish:—From the German word jüdisch, meaning Jewish; a mixed language made up of German, Hebrew, and Russian words. It is generally spoken by Jews.
Chelsea:—A suburb of Boston.
Nemesis:—In Greek mythology, a goddess of vengeance or punishment for sins and errors.
the sins of his fathers:—See Exodus, 20:5; Numbers, 14:18; Deuteronomy, 5:9.
Elysian fields:—In Greek thought, the home of the happy dead.
Semitic:—Jewish; from the name of Shem, the son of Noah.