"Serious students of literature are keenly aware that all writing that passes for fiction contains a good deal of history."
It is no surprise that Ben Siegel made this statement in the introduction to his essay about reading the works of Philip Roth. The world, not only physical but also psychological, into which Phillip Roth was born and grew up is portrayed in detail in his writing. By reading his literature, one can gain a glimpse into the Jewish world where he lived, through the eyes of a Jew. This glimpse is particularly credible because Philip Roth has gone so far in blurring the distinction between himself and his character's that he has even written about a writer, Zuckerman, who has, through his writing, blurred himself and his characters.
"The single unifying characteristic of all Zuckerman's fans is that they assume that the author and his character are identical."
Consequently, his works give insight into the interaction of a diversified set of cultures forced to co-exist in the communities of US-America and the struggles, internal and external that resulted. Philip Roth notes that
"Ever since Goodbye, Columbus, I've been drawn to depicting the impact of place on American lives. Portnoy's Complaint is very much the raw response to a way of life that was specific to his American place during his childhood in the 1930s and '40s. The link between the individual and his historic moment may be more focused in the recent trilogy, but the interest
was there from the start."
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The New Jersey of Philip Roth's Youth
- Philip Roth and his Characters - The American Dream
- Internal Struggle - The Product of this New Jersey
- Shame and Struggle in Philip Roth's Work
- Alexander Portnoy's Struggles
- Shame and Struggle in Philip Roth's Work
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the multifaceted struggle for Jewish identity in the works of Philip Roth, specifically focusing on his portrayal of New Jersey and its influence on his characters. The author aims to provide insight into the social and cultural context of Roth's upbringing and how it shaped his characters' experiences and internal conflicts.
- The impact of place on American lives, particularly the Jewish experience in New Jersey.
- The tension between ethnic identity and American identity in a diverse society.
- The internal struggles and shame faced by Jewish characters, particularly as they relate to social expectations and assimilation.
- The role of the American Dream in shaping individual aspirations and societal expectations.
- The social and cultural environment of Jewish communities in New Jersey during the mid-20th century.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction establishes the context for exploring Jewish identity in Philip Roth's works, highlighting the blurring of lines between the author and his characters. It emphasizes the historical and social context of Roth's writing, particularly the impact of place on American lives and the tensions between ethnic and American identities.
- The New Jersey of Philip Roth's Youth: This chapter delves into the specific location of Roth's upbringing, highlighting the diverse communities in New Jersey and the Jewish experience within that context. The chapter uses the example of Alexander Portnoy to illustrate the impact of cultural expectations and societal pressures on Jewish characters.
- Philip Roth and his Characters- The American Dream: This chapter further explores the impact of the American Dream on Roth's characters, focusing on their aspirations and struggles within a society that promotes social mobility while simultaneously enforcing ethnic segregation.
- Internal Struggle - The Product of this New Jersey: This chapter examines the internal struggles faced by Roth's characters as a result of their upbringing in New Jersey. It explores the theme of shame, particularly in the context of being Jewish in a predominantly non-Jewish society. The chapter focuses on Alexander Portnoy's experiences, highlighting the complexities of identity formation and the challenges of belonging.
- Shame and Struggle in Philip Roth's Work: This chapter delves deeper into the concept of shame within Roth's work, examining how it manifests in the lives of his Jewish characters. It explores the shame associated with both internal conflicts and external societal pressures. The chapter specifically focuses on the struggles faced by Alexander Portnoy, highlighting his internal conflicts and his attempts to reconcile his Jewish identity with his desire for assimilation.
- Alexander Portnoy's Struggles: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of Alexander Portnoy's experiences, focusing on his struggles with shame and his search for identity. It explores the complex dynamics of his relationships with his family, his community, and his own desires.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this text include: Jewish identity, Philip Roth, New Jersey, American Dream, social mobility, ethnic identity, internal struggle, shame, Alexander Portnoy, assimilation, cultural expectations, societal pressures, Jewish communities, 20th century, and American literature.
- Quote paper
- Kerstin Krauss (Author), 2008, The Struggle for Jewish Identity in Philip Roth's "New Jersey", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/121973
