Conflict/ Climax
Overall Conflict
Rifka's brothers are wanted by the German Army, and they are coming to get them. Rifkas father decides its time to leave Russia and go to America so they can avoid the German Army. On the way many obstacles occur, but the main conflict is Rifka's disease not allowing her to live in America with her family.
Climax
The climax occurs when Rifka is just about to buy a steamship ticket to cross the ocean to go to America. She is examined by a doctor and the doctor tells her she can't go to America because she has ringworm. Rifka is devestated because its her dream to go to America.
Subplots and Conflicts
The subplots inside the story were when Rifka and her family get on the train and Rifka has to distract the guards from checking the train for people trying to leavve the country. Another subplot is when Rifka's family all gets sick with typhus and they are stuck in Poland until they get better. When Rifka is on the boat going to America there is a sea storm and one of her close friends that works on the boat saves her from being tossed overboard. The last subplot is when the doctors on Ellis Island do not let Rifka into America because her hair was not growing.