John B. Duff

Book Review: The String of Change: Sicilians in Sicily and AustraliaThe String of Change: Sicilians in Sicily and Australia. By CroninConstance. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1970, Pp. xv, 307.

timely and controversial one of assimilation vs. cultural pluralism. In what areas must an ethnic group assimilate if it is to hope for equality ofopportunity? Obviously, even the most assimilated ethnic groups can and do maintain a few elements from the arts of their parent culture: dances, favorite foods, housekeeping patterns, particular religious observances, etc. One is tempted to say that a group must assimilate in the economic and political spheres and can maintain separatism in all else, but the Doukhobors and a few other independent groups, though not wealthy, are not poor either and raise questions about even this generalization.