Gluckel as feminist

Gluckel learns the fundamentals of independent feminism as a child when she sees her grandmother Mata and mother Bela living together at her aunt's house. Bela is a model of an independent female entrepreneur. Bela makes gold and silver lace that becomes a business she can develop well enough to hire and train other young girls to work for her. Through her business Bela provides for herself and her mother while they are living with her aunt and then when she marries and is brought into Lob Pinkerle's house with Mata.

Following her betrothal and marriage, Gluckel's relationship with Chayim exemplifies a Jewish woman's role to do "nothing without talking it over together." For example they make a mutual decision to hire Mordecai for their business in Poland. When he changes his mind Gluckel and Chayim discuss and decide Judah Berlin may be a good partner...