The Depression of 1893 was an economic crisis that was experienced by people in different ways, depending on their income and social status. Rosa Cavalleri, an Italian immigrant woman living in Chicago during this time faced extreme poverty, deprivation and misery. Yet, in spite of her suffering, she managed to survive with her spirit intact. Her struggle to survive was greatly aided by the Chicago Commons Settlement House that supported her in several ways during her bitter struggles. This paper will discuss RosaÆs suffering, and also the motives of the Settlement House workers with regard to whether she was in any way demeaned by their assistance. Issues of economic position in society, life style, prestige, respect and power will also be briefly discussed in relation to RosaÆs relationship with the Settlement House.
Like many other very poor families, Rosa and her family were often on the brink of starvation, especially during the extremely cold winter months. ôPretty soon after the WorldÆs Fairàthere came such a hard timeà.Oh, that was a terrible, terrible poor time! There was no work; the men couldnÆt stay in Chicago. So Giionin (RosaÆs husband) he went away tooà.ö (210). ôMe and my children froze to death walking. But we never even thought we could take that streetcarà.We needed those five cents to eatà.Only the rich people could take the streetcar not us poor peopleö (204). Rosa gives birth to a child who is sick all the time because of the cold, and who dies when he is nine months old. The doctor explains the death: ôThat baby canÆt live. He was touched in the lungs with the cold. Both lungs got froze when he was bornö (231). The heartbroken Rosa carries on, as she is a resilient woman with great courage and faith.
RosaÆs experiences are recounted in the book Rosa: the Life of an Italian Immigrant, written by Marie Hall Ets who was a social worker at the Chicago Commons Settlement House. Although ...