The comparison of the experiences of the first wave of immigrants depicted in Oscar Handlin's The Uprooted with those of contemporary immigrants illuminated not only obvious differences, but also many similarities. Contrary to the theoretical model of assimilation that has been used to encapsulate the early immigrants' experiences in America, Handlin's book highlighted the early immigrants' struggle to assert their identity and hold onto their values and practices. Both groups of immigrants then and now have had to contend with the exclusionary attitudes and practices towards outsiders who were perceived to be different. As Waldinger pointed out, the belief that outsiders gain membership in American society through their commitment has not cohered with the reality. Rather, the "origins" of individuals had always been the agreed-upon criterion" (6) for determining who would be included or excluded. The complex ways used by the first wave of immigrants to with the challenges to their identities and ways of life are also reflected the lives of the contemporary immigrants.
At the same time, there is no question that there are considerable differences between the lives of these two groups of immigrants due to the differences in their characteristics, their life experiences and the times. Nonetheless, this fact does not mean that Handlin's book is a dated and irrelevant account of the immigrants' experiences. Rather, his meticulous depiction of the peasant origins and their distinctive lifestyles in their native lands offered an explanation of why the subsequent generations of the first wave of immigrants assimilated far more rapidly than their contemporary counterparts today. Using Handlin's book as a starting point for discussion, the similarities and the differences of these two waves of immigrants will be further identified and explored. Through this discussion, this writer will demonstrate why the model of assimilation is ...