“The Son from America,” by Isaac Bashevis Singer, takes place in the late 1800s in the little village of Lentshin. Samuel, who was born in Lentshin, moved away to America forty years ago. Samuel has achieved wealth earning his way from the bottom and learned how money is important for people to live happily. He has sent money to his parents every month. Then, he comes to his hometown as a millionaire to visit his parents, Berl and Berlcha. There, he finds out the fact that they have lived in happiness without his money. In “The Son from America,” the conflict between Samuel and his parents, Berl and Berlcha helps the story establish and develop the theme of perception of happiness.
Samuel has learned from New York life that money is the way to live in happiness. Money represents treasure to Samuel, and he has worked his way up from the bottom to become a millionaire. He says to his mother, “Mother, I was a baker for many years in New York” (885). Living as a baker for many years was a tough life for him at the beginning; however, he took a large step, and finally he has achieved wealth in America. Now, he thinks money is the only treasure that he needs to live happily ever. After their religious ritual Sameul tried to take a large step then Berl says, “Slow down” (886). It means that he is happy that his son is doing well in foreign country, but also he wants to warn that everything comes with consequences. Even though Samuel has sent money every month to his parents, they not only have kept the money, but also haven’t used it at all. When Samuel sees a lot of gold coins which his parents have kept in the boots, he is very surprised and says, “Father, this is a treasure!”(886). He asks them, “Why didn’t you spend it?”(886). This means that he can’t understand why they haven’t used the money for themselves. Berl and Berlcha don’t know the meaning of using the