America America (1963) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Stavros refuses because marrying Thomna would trap him in Constantinople, directly contradicting his ultimate goal of reaching America. Even though Thomna is the daughter of a wealthy rug merchant and could provide financial stability, Stavros knows that settling down would mean abandoning his dreams of escape and a better life in America.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Stavros and his friend Vartan had already dreamed of venturing to America as a land of opportunity, making his refusal consistent with his stated aspirations.

• Thomna
• marriage
• Constantinople
• refusal
• America dream

After being robbed of all his family's wealth, jewels, money, rugs, and the donkey, Stavros is consumed by desperation and vengeance. The theft represented everything his father entrusted to him to build a new life, and in a moment of rage, he tracks down the thief and kills him, demonstrating the moral compromises he makes to survive.

Foreshadowing: The harsh conditions in the Anatolian countryside and the desperate environment had already established that survival often requires extreme measures.

• thief
• robbery
• murder
• vengeance
• Anatolia

When Stavros is arrested after the fight with Artoon and faces being shipped back to Turkey, Hohannes jumps off the ship. This allows Stavros to take Hohannes' identity and pass through Ellis Island under the name "Joe Arness." Hohannes' sacrifice gives Stavros a legal way to enter America and start a new life.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Hohannes had secured sponsorship to America in exchange for two years of labor, making his identity valuable for immigration purposes.

• Hohannes
• sacrifice
• identity
• Ellis Island
• Joe Arness

Sophia is the unsatisfied wife of wealthy Armenian-American rug merchant Artoon Kebabian. She begins an affair with Stavros, and through this relationship, she provides him with the funds necessary to purchase a ticket to New York. Her dissatisfaction in her marriage drives her to help Stavros achieve his dream.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows Stavros reconnecting with Hohannes and then beginning the affair with Sophia, which directly enables his journey to America.

• Sophia
• Artoon Kebabian
• affair
• financial support
• rug merchant

The Hamidian massacre is a brutal event targeting Greeks and Armenians in the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Stavros witnesses this violence firsthand, and his friend Vartan is killed during the massacre. This traumatic event demonstrates the escalating danger facing Christian minorities and serves as the catalyst that pushes Stavros' family to send him away to Constantinople.

Foreshadowing: The narrative establishes the oppressive conditions in Kayseri early on, making the massacre a logical escalation of existing threats.

• Hamidian massacre
• Vartan
• Kayseri
• violence
• Ottoman Empire

Stavros plans to use Thomna's dowry money to buy a ticket to America. When he finally secures funds through his affair with Sophia, he leaves quietly rather than confront the consequences of his plan. This reflects his single-minded determination to reach America, even at the cost of deceiving and abandoning someone who was about to marry him.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Thomna had confronted Stavros about his gloomy demeanor, and he revealed his intention to use her dowry for America, foreshadowing his eventual betrayal.

• Thomna
• dowry
• abandonment
• America ticket
• betrayal

Stavros succeeds in building a new life in America as Joe Arness, shining shoes and working to bring his family over. However, his father Issac dies just before having the chance to join him in America. This tragic timing adds a bittersweet note to Stavros' achievement, as his father never gets to experience the better life Stavros fought so hard to attain.

Foreshadowing: Issac had entrusted all the family's wealth to Stavros, charging him with the duty of establishing prosperity for the family, making his death before reunion especially poignant.

• Issac
• father
• death
• America
• reunion

After Hohannes jumps from the ship, Stavros takes his identity. Sophia then gives him a fresh appearance to help complete his transformation. When he arrives at Ellis Island, he enters America as "Joe Arness," Hohannes' assumed name, beginning his new life with a fabricated identity that allows him to avoid deportation.

Foreshadowing: The earlier detail that Hohannes had secured sponsorship to America explains why his identity was valuable and could be used for immigration purposes.

• Joe Arness
• identity
• Ellis Island
• new life
• Sophia

Odysseus had hoped Stavros would use his family's wealth, jewels, money, and rugs, to revive his struggling carpet business. When Stavros arrives empty-handed after being robbed and killing the thief, Odysseus sees his economic hopes dashed, leading to his cold reception.

Foreshadowing: The earlier journey shows Stavros losing all possessions, setting up the disappointment at his cousin's home.

• Odysseus
• carpet business
• wealth
• disappointment
• cousin

After months of grueling work, Stavros saves enough for a third-class ticket to New York. During his first experience with a prostitute, he loses all his savings to betrayal, this cruel twist leaves him devastated and back at square one, illustrating the continuous hardships he faces.

Foreshadowing: The narrative established Stavros' desperation and lack of experience with city life, making him vulnerable to exploitation.

• savings
• prostitute
• betrayal
• ticket
• New York

Garabet is a streetwise veteran who encounters Stavros when he is homeless and surviving on discarded food. Seeing the young man's determination, Garabet becomes a mentor figure, encouraging him to persevere through adversity. His guidance helps Stavros maintain hope during his darkest moments.

Foreshadowing: Garabet's appearance follows directly from Stavros becoming homeless and desperate, providing crucial emotional support at a critical juncture.

• Garabet
• mentor
• hope
• perseverance
• veteran