How we cite our quotes: Story Number.Paragraph
Quote #10
"I will flip through the pages of the Book of Psalms, and as soon as my eyes catch the first word, I will say to you, 'Be so kind and pious as to repeat it.' And if any one of you can repeat it after me, it will be a sign that commands that you do with Tevye what you will. And if not, that will be a sign that God says no. […] Can you repeat the word vachalaklokos?"
[…]
The group thought it over and got down to work, each in his own way. One said, "Haidamaki," another said, "Lomaki," and a third actually came out with "Chaykolia." […]
"We must make a wreck of things here. The council has decided and it's over. We will," he said, "at least break a few windows, and if you wish, you can knock out a few panes yourself." (10.13-23)
A little re-telling of the Ivan Poperilo story, this time featuring Tevye trying to get the Gentile villagers off his back with a word game. His words are for sure cleverer and stronger than theirs, but, unfortunately, it really doesn't matter. No matter how learned he is, and how much he can verbally hold them back, and even how much the mayor dude likes Tevye personally, the mob will still overwhelm him and drive him from his house like all the other Jews. In the end, his verbal specialness turns to not be all that special in the face of power.