In the later chapters of Five-Finger Discount, Helene Stapinski becomes much more of a central character in her own book. However, in recounting the events of her life, she also continues to tell the wider story of her family’s history. In fact, she sees her own life as inextricably tied up in the history of her family and her city.
For this assignment, you are asked to analyze one of the following chapters in Stapinski’s book: “Ten Plagues” (Chapter 15), “On Trial” (Chapter 16), “Resurrection” (Chapter 17), or “No Filters” (Chapter 19). In analyzing your chosen chapter you should examine whether or not you find the chapter unified by a central theme. As part of your analysis, you should also consider the ways in which this chapter connects with earlier ones. How does Stapinski embed her own personal history in that of her family and of Jersey City? Be sure to give your essay a clear thesis that can sustain a well-developed argument.