British Attitudes Towards Polish Migrants and Workers in the 'Yellow Nineties'
Karolina Fedorcio
Ryerson University
2452
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Source: Wikimedia Commons user fdecomite
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France in the 1800s: Sentiments Towards Immigrants
Given that the plot of Wladislaw’s Advent is set in Paris, it is worthy to analyze how the French felt towards newcomers to their country. Burgess’ book entitled Refuge in the Land of Liberty reveals the French peoples’ acceptance of Polish refugees. The November Uprising of 1830 and Russia’s successful capture of Poland, marked the beginnings of a period called “The Great Emigration” - a time when France accepted thousands of emigrants into its borders (Chastain). The French peoples supported Poles, going to extents of creating a national committee to raise money for them and wearing red and white to symbolically represent their solidarity (Burgess 53). Thanks to certain clues in Dowie’s text, it can be assumed that Wladislaw was part of this immigration influx. However, the text also reveals that his experience in Paris was far from pleasant. Wladislaw despised Paris (Dowie 97) and its common place ugliness (98). He was singled out by his French peers during art lessons, their “amused pairs of eyes … [watching him] quizzically” (91). |
The Importance of Immigrant and Economic Status on Success
A crucial distinction between the incoming immigrants must be made. The majority of Polish immigrants coming to France, were part of the intelligentsia: government officials, political activists and members of army to name a few (Chastain). It is no surprise that their elevated social status helped in their transition from one European country to another.
However, it has been established that Wladislaw is extremely poor. He is doubly disadvantaged, for not only is he an immigrant - he is a poor one. The difficulty which he faces in fitting in to his host country likely stems from his low economic status, thereby revealing the importance which class has towards the treatment of foreigners. Migrant and economic status are deeply interconnected with each other.
A crucial distinction between the incoming immigrants must be made. The majority of Polish immigrants coming to France, were part of the intelligentsia: government officials, political activists and members of army to name a few (Chastain). It is no surprise that their elevated social status helped in their transition from one European country to another.
However, it has been established that Wladislaw is extremely poor. He is doubly disadvantaged, for not only is he an immigrant - he is a poor one. The difficulty which he faces in fitting in to his host country likely stems from his low economic status, thereby revealing the importance which class has towards the treatment of foreigners. Migrant and economic status are deeply interconnected with each other.
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