The story, "Take Pity" by Bernard Malamund, portrays a realistic picture of a widow, Eva, who wants to live an honourable and independent life which should be free from charity in any form and shape. She is generally the representative of all the women and particularly, the widows.
             Eva's husband, a Polish refugee, worked hard and saved about three thousand dollars. He started a business and established a general store in the slum. His business was a failure and consequently he was declared bankrupt. His friend Rosen, a coffee salesman, suggested him to leave the store but before any decision Axel Kalish, Eva's husband, died leaving behind a widow and two small daughters, Fega and Surale.
             Axel left behind insurance money of one thousand dollars. Rosen suggested Eva to take one thousand dollars and left the place. He, even, offered her his own house just out of sympathy. Eva plainly rejected all the offers and invested one thousand dollars in her "General Store", which was, according to Rosen, nothing but a grave-yard. As expected, again general store was a failure and she lost all her wealth.
             Rosen, proposed her and said as he was a sick man he would not live long and ultimately she and her daughters would get all his property and money. She rejected this offer too by saying "I had enough with sick man". Rosen fabricated another plan and sent her money through post as a repayment of the debt taken from her late husband but she smelled the reality and sent back the money. She did not want to take charity in any form but wanted to live an independent and an honourable life.
             When Rosen's efforts remained fruitless he devised another plan. He prepared a will through which he gave all his money and property to Eva and her daughters and tried to commit suicide but he was saved. When Eva realized the sympathy of Rosen she went to her window and raised her hands but Rosen abused h...