pt to end her own
             ostracism in the shetl. Yakov could here exact some kind of revenge upon Raisl by
             allowing her to be ostracized for having an illegitimate child the way he was ostracized for
             being cheated on. However, Yakov eventually signs the document which says "I declare
             myself to be the father of Chaim, the infant son of my wife Raisl Bok... Please help the
             mother and child, and for this, amid all my troubles, I'll be grateful" ( 262). Bok, now
             having on paper what he once wanted most, a son, cannot enjoy it.
             The second event which exemplifies the ironic and circular nature of Yakov Bok's
             life is his attempt to escape his Jewishness. In leaving the shetl Bok shaves his beard and
             ...