In this paper I would like to explore how the Jewish tradition is represented in modern Jewish American feminist women’s fiction. I chose as examples Marge Piercy’s novel “He, She and It” and Cynthia Ozick’s story “ Putermesser and Xanthippe” from “The Putermesser Papers”.
The attitude towards Judaism has changed significantly since the beginning of immigrant women’s writing at the threshold of the 20th century when writers like Anzia Yezierska or Mary Antin began new lives in the New World. In order to enter the American society and become successful they seemed to have no choice but to completely shed their Jewish roots, get rid of their Yiddish accent (at least in writing) and also part with the Jewish way of thinking. Especially as women, they received unheard-of opportunities in the New World; they wanted to become American as quickly as possible and the new identity required getting rid of the old.
Judaism was out of fashion not only in literature but in general – according to Hasja Diner, in the late 1920’s, 80 percent of young Jews living in New York had no knowledge of Hebrew letters and no religious training. (344).
Beginning with the second half of the 20th century till today the development seems to go in the direction of embracing one’s heritage.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Blending future and past - Jewish tradition and feminism in contemporary American-Jewish women's writing
- Modern Jewish American Feminist Women's Fiction
- The Attitude Towards Judaism
- Embracing One's Heritage
- Multicultural and Ethnic Writing
- Women's Access to Sacred Texts
- Allegra Goodman's Two Traditions of Jewish Fiction
- Marge Piercy and Cynthia Ozick: Feminist Views and Jewish Tradition
- Cynthia Ozick's "Putermesser and Xanthippe": A Feminist Perspective
- The Golem: A Modern American Interpretation
- A New American Feminist Golem
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the representation of Jewish tradition in contemporary American-Jewish feminist women's fiction, specifically analyzing Marge Piercy's novel "He, She and It" and Cynthia Ozick's story "Putermesser and Xanthippe".
- The changing attitude towards Judaism in American Jewish literature, from assimilation to embracing heritage.
- The intersection of feminist perspectives and Jewish tradition in contemporary American-Jewish women's writing.
- The role of language, particularly Hebrew, in shaping Jewish identity and cultural continuity.
- The reinterpretation of traditional Jewish folklore, such as the Golem, in a modern American feminist context.
- The challenges and complexities of reconciling feminist ideals with traditional Jewish values.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
This paper begins by examining the historical context of Jewish immigrant women's writing at the beginning of the 20th century, highlighting the pressure to assimilate and shed their Jewish roots. It then explores the shift towards embracing heritage in later generations, including the influence of multicultural and ethnic writing. The paper further examines the limitations imposed on women within Jewish tradition, specifically their restricted access to sacred texts and the portrayal of women as subservient figures. It then analyzes the work of contemporary authors like Marge Piercy and Cynthia Ozick, who both incorporate feminist perspectives within their exploration of Jewish tradition. The focus then shifts to Cynthia Ozick's story "Putermesser and Xanthippe," analyzing the character of Ruth Putermesser as a feminist figure who reinterprets Jewish tradition through her knowledge of Hebrew and her creation of a female Golem. The paper concludes by exploring the modern, American reinterpretation of the Golem legend, emphasizing the golem's pursuit of her own liberty and happiness, challenging traditional notions of obedience and service.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key themes and concepts explored in this paper include: Jewish tradition, feminism, contemporary American-Jewish women's writing, language, Hebrew, Golem, multiculturalism, assimilation, heritage, and reinterpretation.
- Quote paper
- Alina Polyak (Author), 2006, Blending future and past -Jewish tradition and feminism in contemporary American-Jewish women’s writing, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/75402
