CLASSIFICATION. A thematic story: dreams and ideals are the real power.
The ideal citizen is also emphasized. Classed more directly, the work
is a paean of patriotism.
THE OUTER SETTING. An audience of two thousand foreigners who have just
been admitted to citizenship.
THE CHARACTERS. Ivan, Anna, his wife, and the speaker--the President of
the United States.
How is the President characterized? How is Ivan contrasted with him?
How related to him?
Has Anna real place in the action?
THE PRESENTATION. The real story is recounted after the climax has been
implied. Ivan and Anna are here. One knows the Dream has been made
real, and reads to see how it all came about.
THE PLOT. The dream of freedom, liberty, motivates Ivan’s determination
to come to America. He and Anna successfully struggle to save money
for the voyage. The actual journey to America constitutes something of
a struggle, in itself, for the poor ignorant peasants. But they are
upheld by the dream, and are victorious.
DETAILS. Compare the episodes of the Russian police and the American
police.
What can you say about the style as related to the theme?