The Street

“As the train gathered speed for the long run to 125th Street, the passengers settled down into a small private world, thus creating the illusion of space between them and their fellow passengers. The worlds were built up behind newspapers and magazines, behind closed eyes or while staring at the varicolored show cards that bordered the coaches.”

People on the train go to great lengths to establish a bit of privacy during their crowded commute, attempting to create their own worlds in much the same way Lutie does by renting a new apartment. In a crowded city with little space, one can also feel very alone, as everyone builds up his or her own worlds around themselves.

“Anybody could be rich if he wanted to and worked hard enough and figured it out carefully enough.”

This naïve perception of the American Dream carries Lutie through much of her struggle. Despite the way she’s been mistreated and exploited by others, she still believes that diligence and careful planning are enough to propel a person to success in America, and is confident that she has the qualities necessary to make it. She has yet to be fully battered by the realities of systemic poverty, racism, and sexism that keep women like her from advancing in society.

“She and Jim could do the same thing, and she thought she saw what had been wrong with them before—they hadn’t tried hard enough, worked long enough, saved enough.”

For a period of time, Lutie believes in the basic concept of the American Dream: that hard work and careful planning can lead to financial success. She absorbs this mentality during her time working with the Chandlers and seeing their success. She comes to realize later, however, that different rules apply for African-Americans, and the equation for success is not so simple.