As an essay, Yezierska's piece is told from the first person point of view, which means that the reader knows everything that the author experiences, both factual activities and thoughts and feelings.

One of the techniques used by the author is the insertion of her natural dialect and culture. When Yezierska is frustrated and disillusioned, she inserts the characteristically Jewish retorts "Oi-weh" and "Ach," which makes the tone of the writing almost conversational, as if the author is speaking with the reader.

Yezierska uses beautiful imagery in the essay, using the techniques of metaphors and similes. For example, at the beginning of the piece, Yezierska speaks of the oppressive life in Russia and how the idea of America represents "wings for my stifled spirit - sunlight burning through my darkness - freedom singing to me in my prison - deathless songs tuning prison bars into...