The protagonist in "The First Seven Years" is a shoemaker named Feld who wants his daughter to have a better life than his. In the introduction of the story, Feld is angry with his assistant, Sobel, because he makes too much noise as he works. Feld looks at Sobel angrily but the assistant doesn't notice because he is bent over his work. Feld looks out the window at the falling February snow. He remembers the Polish village where he grew up and his life now. He also thinks about a college boy named Max, whom Feld saw trudging through the snow that morning. Feld respects the sacrifices Max has made, going to school through all kinds of weather to get his education. Sometimes Feld wishes he had a son instead of a daughter. His daughter, Miriam, has little concern for education. Although she spends a...