Question
Excerpt from Letter A
Dear Mother, I am letting you know that in America, it is very cold and there is much snow. Dear Mother, you ask where I like it the best. I like it better in America because I can earn money more quickly, and if I were in the Old Country I could not help you out at all. But in America, if God gives me health, Dear Mother, then I will be able to send you a few rubles more easily.
–Leon Makowiecki Gallitzin,
PA, January 21
Excerpt from Letter B
But it is true, that if one is strong, young, healthy, and industrious, then he can make 100 rubles a month; but he also has to know how to speak American. One can make a ruble here much faster than one can make a half ruble in an entire summer there [Poland]
–Julian Kszseszowski to
friend, Nanticoke,
February 10, 1891
Compare the letters from Polish immigrants Leon and Julian to their families and friends back home.
Based on these excerpts, they both believe
work is more demanding in the US.
money can be earned more quickly in the US.
the language barrier is the biggest challenge.
Americans are healthier and more industrious than others.
Dear Mother, I am letting you know that in America, it is very cold and there is much snow. Dear Mother, you ask where I like it the best. I like it better in America because I can earn money more quickly, and if I were in the Old Country I could not help you out at all. But in America, if God gives me health, Dear Mother, then I will be able to send you a few rubles more easily.
–Leon Makowiecki Gallitzin,
PA, January 21
Excerpt from Letter B
But it is true, that if one is strong, young, healthy, and industrious, then he can make 100 rubles a month; but he also has to know how to speak American. One can make a ruble here much faster than one can make a half ruble in an entire summer there [Poland]
–Julian Kszseszowski to
friend, Nanticoke,
February 10, 1891
Compare the letters from Polish immigrants Leon and Julian to their families and friends back home.
Based on these excerpts, they both believe
work is more demanding in the US.
money can be earned more quickly in the US.
the language barrier is the biggest challenge.
Americans are healthier and more industrious than others.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on the excerpts from the letters, both Leon and Julian express the belief that money can be earned more quickly in the US.
Leon mentions that he can earn money more quickly in America and send more rubles to his mother compared to what he could do in the "Old Country." Similarly, Julian states that if one is strong and industrious, they can make a significant amount of rubles per month in America, and emphasizes how much faster one can earn money there than in Poland.
While both letters touch on the importance of health and industriousness, the primary shared belief highlighted in these excerpts is the faster earning potential in the United States compared to Poland.
Leon mentions that he can earn money more quickly in America and send more rubles to his mother compared to what he could do in the "Old Country." Similarly, Julian states that if one is strong and industrious, they can make a significant amount of rubles per month in America, and emphasizes how much faster one can earn money there than in Poland.
While both letters touch on the importance of health and industriousness, the primary shared belief highlighted in these excerpts is the faster earning potential in the United States compared to Poland.