This story took place during the Haskalah, Jewish enlightenment. Bat-Shua’s father would judge the boys Bar Mitzvah speeches in search for a son-in-law. She was married off at age 17 to Hillel. He studies for a living and is paid by her father. Her father is in the mail and transportation business. Trains and telegraphs were now invented and were taking over his business. Therefore, he now had little money to give. Hillel goes oversees to sell in England. Bat-Shua is left alone. She meets Fabi who oversees railroad development. Fabi is derived from phoebus which means light of sun. Fabi represented the light for Bat-Shua. He cultivates himself and is enlightened and sensitive—a widower. Bat-Shua wishes to divorce Hillel to be with Fabi. Hillel signs the get, bill of divorce, right before he passes away. The final rabbi will not accept the get for Hillel and Bat-Shua because there is no yud in Hillel’s name. Since he is no longer living, a new get cannot be written. Therefore, Bat-Shua becomes agunah-- a chained woman. She is stuck in a marriage due to not being granted a divorce.
This story portrayed many critiques of the Jewish community: -a woman’s role -strict reading of Torah/rules (legalism) - being abled but disabled by situation |