Answer:
"I lived in the first century of world wars" is the opening line of "Poem" by Muriel Rukeyser (1913-1980) an American poet and political activist. Her best-known poems are about social justice, equality and feminism. Her choice of words establishes her anti-war theme and her efforts to oppose war through her poetry: "Slowly I would get to pen and paper, Make my poems for others unseen and unborn. In the day I would be reminded of those men and women, Brave, setting up signals across vast distances, Considering a nameless way of living, of almost unimagined values." She felt her poetry, which would outlive her, would be a message to those "unseen and unborn" who could work to promote peace and justice. "We would try by any means To reach the limits of ourselves, to reach beyond ourselves, To let go the means, to wake." Here Rukeyser was passing on the baton, as it were, to the generations "beyond ourselves" in the hope that they would be more purposeful peacemakers.
At the beginning of the story, Feld, the shoemaker, yearned for his daughter to marry a man with a promising and wealthy future, so she could live a happy life. Later in the story, after two dates between both Miriam (her daughter) and Max (a young student), Feld was told by Miriam that she was not interested in Max, given her materialistic nature. Feld did not understand her reason at the time, but didn't give it much thought.
Near the end of the story, Feld realized Sobel's (his assistant) feelings for her daughter, but wasn't very comprehensive about them, given Sobel's old age and poor living conditions.
While watching Sobel's scorn after having his desires represed and considering Miriam could like Sobel in return, Feld had his epiphany: He grew comprehensive of Sobel's endurance to escape a land at war and to find any humble source of sustain available. Considering this hardship and his efforts to read books to gain interest from Miriam, Feld understood these endeavors were far more attractive and valuable to Miriam than that of a life of riches with Max. <u>Feld learned about humble love.</u>
