"America and I" is Anzia Yezierska's short essay about her struggles with assimilation into her new country and the activation of her emerging talent as a writer.

The author notes that she is one of millions of people who have entered America with the hopes and dreams of a fresh, new life. From the perspective of her homeland, Russia, America represents the Promised Land and "wings for my stifled spirit." Anzia hopes to be able to create a life much different from the one experienced by her parents. She wants to create and love her work instead of being driven only by hunger and basic needs.

Anzia quickly realizes that although she is in America, she is not of America, separated by her heritage and language barriers. Anzia finds work at the home of a Russian family who has been in America for a while...