Family Identity In Mamele

Joseph Green and Konrad Tom's film Mamele depicts a vastly different cultural and family dynamic in a different setting than the dynamic found in traditional Jewish shtetls. Whether it be incorporating Jewish holidays or traditional family roles, producers actively depicted Jewish cultural roots into their films prior to Mamele in 1939. In Mamele, a daughter named Chavchi takes on many household responsibilities after the death of her mother and is consequently given the nickname "mamele," or little mother. The family is nontraditional as a result, as Chavchi picks up familial responsibility due to the lack of care and initiative from a drunkard and gambling-addicted father. In addition to an unconventional father figure, Chavchi's many siblings …show more content…
In the film, a gang of thieves led by a man named Max Katz visits Chavchi's house to pretend to court her sister, Bertha, when in reality he wants floor plans to rob the household (Mamele). The proliferation of mafia-like organized crime within urban areas like Lodz significantly deviate from the more contained crime within more close-knit communities in shtetls. Due to the sheer number of people causing greater fragmentation in the widespread area of a city, thieves and criminals can more easily partake in criminal activity without being held responsible by their peers. Organized crime is less prevalent in closer-knit communities because of the tighter connection among residents, leading to heightened awareness about everything that happens within the relatively small shtetls. Moreover, the change in women's role greatly deviates from traditional Jewish culture. Chavchi's sisters are not only out working instead of tending familial and household duties, but also are able to stay with men overnight with whom they are not engaged (Mamele). These actions that are allowed by Chavchi's father blatantly violates traditional Jewish cultural values, where women are not supposed to hold hands with a man who is not engaged or married to her. In addition, the father's motives serve to …show more content…
Although the shift away from traditional Jewish values opens avenues for women to play a greater role in the workforce, it also significantly detracts from the intrinsic bond people share through traditional culture and lifestyle. Due to the larger population of Jewish people within Lodz, inhabitants became less connected through cultural and ethnic background and therefore became more anonymous to one another. As a result, traditional Jewish culture is less valued and not strictly adhered to, creating a gradual loss of identity with past generations of Jews active in religious pursuits and close to their heritage. The lost shtetl community within cities shifted Jewish culture in urban Poland toward social class segmentation and excess, leading to a more hallow society with cut cultural ties. This modernization is reflective of effects of globalization and urbanization in modern day, as culture and heritage slowly dissipate in overpopulated and fragmented city