Bernard Malamud의 The Assistant에 나타난 자아실현

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Self-realization in Bernard Malamud's The Assistant

Yi Su-yeon Advisor : Prof. Choi Ki-goon, Ph.D. Major in English Language Education Graduate School of Education, Chosun University

This paper aims to discuss the self-realization of the main characters in Malamud's The Assistant. Lack of trust among people and materialism was rampant in the 20th century. The literature was influenced by this. Nevertheless, Jewish American writers insisted that people should pursue humanism and future-oriented values, so they dealt with the themes of people's inner worlds. Bernard Malamud, the Jewish American writer, was under the influence of American romanticism as well as Jewish traditional literature, and even though his characters are Jewish, they represent all men. He has been evaluated as one of the most important Jewish American writers. Because Malamud felt that modern society was too materialistic and individualistic, he pursued the theme of moral growth through suffering and moral living in his writing. He claimed that human beings were innately good. In his works, he used the archetype of Schlemiel-Schlimazel for his main characters. These characters always undergo suffering in their lives and through it develop their identity. In The Assistant, Malamud's second novel, he deals with this moral theme clearly. Malamud claims that suffering is inherent in his characters achieving self-realization. The Assistant has two main characters: one is Morris Bober, a Jew who owns a grocery, and the other is Frank Alpine, his Italian assistant. Through the lives of Morris Bober and Frank Alpine, Malamud develops his theme that men can change their lives if they accept their suffering. Morris Bober sacrifices his life for his family, and he endures his suffering without any complaint. Despite his suffering, he has a strong sense of morality, so he is charitable to his neighbors. He adheres to his Jewish faith even though it seems that no one else in his family understands his moral beliefs. In the beginning of the work, Frank is a burglar without any conscience, and he thinks money means success in life, so he goes through much suffering. At last, he realizes true morality through Morris' sacrifice and Helen's love, and he transforms himself. After Morris' death, he devotes himself to Morris' family. Acting like a foster son, he becomes the family savior. In conclusion, Malamud uses his characters to express moral growth through suffering. He emphasizes that people accept and endure suffering in their lives, so they can acquire morality. Through his novel, he suggests that modern man should aim for moral growth in order to reach self-realization.