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• Philip Roth's 'Defender of the Faith': A Modern Midrash Steinberg, Gillian 2005-10-13 00:00:00 Abstract: This essay explores the connection between Roth's frequently anthologized short story, 'Defender of the Faith,' and the symbolism of Passover. It argues that Roth consciously uses Jewish texts, specifically the Haggadah's parable of the four.
• Defender of the faith philip roth pdf defender of the faith philip roth pdf document phi St athanasius defender of the faith pdf defender of the faith pdf. Of the faith philip roth pdf defender of Defender of the faith analysis pdf. Defender of the Faith - Philip Roth. Full Title 'Defender of the Faith'. First Published In: Goodbye, Columbus.
• Defender of the Faith (1959) Philip Roth (March 19, 1933 – ) Notes 'Defender of the Faith' was first published in the March 14, 1959 issue of The New Yorker. 162 C.O.: Commanding Officer 'List of Abbreviations,' US Army Center of Military History.
• 'Defender of the Faith'. The story is set in late spring 1945, after the end of military operations in Europe. The first-person narrator, Sergeant Nathan Marx, is rotated from Germany to a training company at Camp Crowder, Missouri. He served in infantry in the European theatre of operations for two years.

Philip Roth's 'Defender of the Faith': A Modern Midrash. April 2005; Philip Roth Studies 1(1). DOI: 10.3200/PRSS.1.1.7-18. Authors: Gillian Steinberg. Request full-text PDF. To read the article.

Philip Roth has written many stories throughout his lifetime. “Defender of the Faith” is a short story that was published in his first collection entitled Goodbye, Columbus which also included four other short stories and a novella. To understand Roth’s writing one must first look at his life and where he got his general ideas from. In many of Roth’s stories he encompasses parts of his life that he has dealt with such as being a Jewish American.

In “Defender of the Faith” we watch a Sergeant in the United States Army come back from fighting in World War II and come to terms with his Jewish faith and what it truly means to him by reconnecting with a part of his heart he hasn’t been able to use for a long time. The story is written in first person allowing us to follow Sergeant Marx’s true perspective and feelings on what he is going through in the story. The main characters in this story also include Sheldon Grossbart, Michael Halpren, and Larry Fishbein, three Jewish trainees trying to deal with the difficulties of basic training and also those of being true and faithful Jewish men. Roth joined the army in 1955, just ten years after the end of World War II, so through these men’s difficulties you can see what Roth himself probably went through during training. Roth brings himself and his family alive through the characters and happenings of the story. The men tell of how their parents are very concerned and overprotective of their sons. In a biography of Roth’s life by Lee Hermoine it discuses how he had a “over-possessive mother who, like most Jewish mother’s only wanted the best for her son.” This theme is conveyed throughout the book.

Roth characterizes Sergeant Marx as a man who mostly has been in the army for too long and has lost the warmness in his heart only because he’s had no other choice so that he could deal with the things the army brings with enlisting in it. It is said in Hermiones biography of Roth that he seems to have a “less loving view of the lives of Jews.” This could be why we see that Marx has forgotten some of his faith and has gotten over things such as eating kosher for the right to serve in the army. We watch the changes in Marx’s character and personality as he gets to know the three privates who remind him of the things he use to believe in. Marx even returns for Friday night services after the men come to him about going. Marx transforms himself throughout the story into a man who truly remembers who he is and who he was before he came into the army.

Throughout the story we see the relationship between Sergeant Marx and Private Grossbart form and change over time. At first Sergeant Marx questions Grossbart, wondering why he and the others believe they should get special privileges just because they are Jewish. Marx allows the men to see that he went through everything that they are going through and he made it just fine. The men allow Marx to see that all they want to do is stay faithful to their religion and be true Jewish men. Eating kosher, attending services, Passover dinner, these are all things that are special and important to them and they help the Sergeant to remember how important they are to him also. During the story though we see how Private Grossbart takes advantage of Marx’s kindness when he and the others are allowed to leave for the night to go to a special dinner his aunt supposedly cooked for them but returns back with only a bag of Chinese food. This shows how Roth possibly felt about the world at that time and how dishonest people can truly be. Roth shows Grossbart as a conniving person who takes advantage of anyone who has ever helped him with anything. In the end we see that Grossbart truly gets his when he tries to get his orders changed so he can stay stateside while the rest of the trainees were getting shipped over to the Pacific. Marx finds out and intervenes so that Grossbart gets orders to go overseas with the rest of the group. Roth allows us to see that

Defender of the Faith was released in 1959 in a collection of stories titled Goodbye, Columbus. Defender of the Faith is considered to be the best part of the collection because it explores the conflict between personal feelings and religious loyalty, rather than exploiting, as Roth had done previously. The Defender of the Faith explores Sergeant Nathan Marx’s confrontations and dealings with a new trainee, Sheldon Grossbart, who believes his Jewish connection with Marx will enable him to special privileges and treatment during his time in training.

Defender Of The Faith Pdf

Philip Milton Roth was born March 19, 1933 in Newark, New Jersey. Roth attended Bucknell University, earning a degree in English. After Bucknell, Roth pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago, where he received an M. A. in English literature and worked briefly as an instructor in the university’s writing program (Encyclopedia Britannica). Roth continued teaching writing at the University of Iowa and Princeton University, and the University of Pennsylvania, before retiring from teaching in 1992 (Encyclopedia Britannica).

While in Chicago, Roth met his first wife, Margaret Martinson. Their separation in 1963, along with Martinson’s death in a car accident in 1968, left a lasting mark on Roth’s literary output (Encyclopedia Britannica). Between the end of his studies and the publication of his first book in 1959, Roth served two years in the United States Army. His first book was Goodbye, Columbus, a novella and five stories that use wit, irony, and humor to depict Jewish life in post-war America (The Bankston 2 Philip Roth Society).

The book won him critical recognition, including the National Book Award of fiction, and also brought condemnation from some within the Jewish community for depicting what they felt was an unflattering side of the cotemporary Jewish American Experience (The Philip Roth Society). Events in Roth’s personal life have occasionally been the subject of media scrutiny. According to his pseudo-confessional novel Operation Shlock, Roth suffered a nervous breakdown in the late 1980s (Encyclopedia Britannica). In 1990, he married his long-time companion, English actress Claire Bloom.

In 1994, they separated, and in 1996 Bloom published a memoir describing their marriage in detail titled, Leaving a Doll’s House, much of which was unflattering to Roth (Encyclopedia Britannica). Roth continues to write and will release a new novella, Nemesis, this year (The Philip Roth Society). Defender of the Faith begins with introducing the reader to Sergeant Nathan Marx. It is May of 1945 and the fighting has just ended in Europe. Marx is relieved to be returning back to the west after two years of war.

Through his experiences in the war, Marx has become numb to emotions and withdrawn. “After two years I had been fortunate enough to develop an infantryman’s heart, which, like his feet, at first aches and swells, but finally grows horny enough for him to travel the weirdest paths without feeling a thing. ” Marx is introduced to his company and begins his routine. A young trainee, Sheldon Grossbart, wastes no time trying to establish a connection with his new superior. Grossbart quickly conveys his displeasure with “G. I. parties”, cleaning sessions, being held on Friday nights.

Grossbart quickly explains that he hopes now that he has a Jewish superior, that he and the other Jews will be able to attend shul on Fridays, instead Bankston 3 of performing their cleaning duties. Marx becomes angered and tells Grossbart that he should take his concerns to the Captain. Grossbart departs to tell his Jewish friends that they do indeed have a Jewish superior. Although Marx is angered by Grossbart and develops a disliking for him, he brings up his discussion with Grossbart to his Captain the next morning. Marx describes it “as to unburden myself of it”.

This is where Marx first allows Grossbart’s manipulation to get him. Marx finds himself defending Grossbart’s position, not explaining it. The Captain sees this as the other men see it, as Grossbart trying to get out of cleaning duties. “Seems awful funny how suddenly the Lord is calling so loud in Private Grossman’s ear he’s just go to run to Church. ” However, instructions are sent to inform the men that they’re free to attend church services whenever they are held. Later that night, Grossbart and his two Jewish friends, Larry Fishbein and Mickey Halpern prepare to attend the church services.

Grossbart introduces his friends and thanks Marx for making the gesture. Grossbart invites Marx along but the Sergeant brushes them off. As Grossbart and company leave, Marx finds himself recalling his youth. This is huge turning point in which Marx connects himself with the young Jews and finds himself allowing emotions back into his life. “But now one night noise, on rumor of home and time past, and memory plunged down through all I had anesthetized and came to whit I suddenly remembered to be myself. ” Marx then finds himself following Grossbart’s tracks and attending the services.

Marx sits behind the young men and watches them during the service. Following the service, Grossbart has another concern that he brings up with Marx. The food being Bankston 4 served is not that of Jewish tradition. Grossbart continues explaining that it’s not so much him with the problem, but Mickey, who vomits after eating. Mickey pushes this off, saying he has a cold. Marx investigates the other friend, Fishbein, who claims he can deal with it. I feel it is at this point that Marx begins to wonder about Grossbart’s motivations.

Grossbart made it out as if his friends were in a great amount of distress over the food situation, but when confronted about it, by someone with the same traditions as their own, the friends do not express a large amount of displeasure. The following week Marx is informed that Grossbart’s mother has contacted a congressman about the food. The Captain, none to pleased, confronts Marx on the subject. Marx again finds himself defending Jewish tradition and even explains that Jewish parents can be overprotective. The Captain wants to speak with Grossbart on the matter and they head to the field to speak with him.

When the superiors arrive at the firing range, Marx approaches Grossbart alone. Grossbart is firing, but Fishbein is nearby. Fishbein inquires about where they might be sent, claming his parents are asking repeatedly, and their concerns are hampering his ability to concentrate. Marx tells him to go about his business and takes Grossbart to the Captain. The Captain and Grossbart discuss his parents’ letter and Grossbart defends his stance and tries to use Marx and the rabbi as allies. The Captain becomes angered by the discussion and leaves.

Following the discussion, Marx who should be angry with Grossbart, notices his teeth. Grossbart’s teeth are white and straight, and Marx has a realization that Grossbart is someone’s son. Marx asks Grossbart about his parents. After Grossbart reveals that his parents speak little English, Marx comes to another realization, Grossbart wrote the letter. Marx, stunned, Bankston 5 inquires why Grossbart wrote the letter. Marx, although he said otherwise, has seen Grossbart eat well at chow. Grossbart explains that he is trying to help his friend. Marx replies with calling him a Messiah.

At this point that Marx is becoming more aware of Grossbart and his motivations and schemes. “Me a little bit, you a little bit. You’d like to believe that wouldn’t you Grossbart? That makes everything so clean for you. ” Marx is now conflicted with the reoccurring them of the story, being a good Sergeant or being a good Jew. He is realizing that Grossbart is playing him and using his Jewish connection to his benefit. Two weeks later, a letter comes across Marx’s desk. The letter is from Grossbart’s father. Marx knows that Grossbart has written the letter.

The letter explains that Grossbart will suffer the “pangs” of religious remorse for the good of his country and he credits Sergeant Nathan Marx for helping him reach this decision. Marx reflects on the letter, contemplating that Grossbart might have felt that he’d gone to far and was trying to make amends. He also considers that it might be a crafty attempt to strengthen what he considered an alliance. In the days following, Grossbart separates himself from Marx. The separation allows Marx to forgive Grossbart for their past encounters and even admire him for having good sense. During the separation Marx evolves further.

He recalls his past and looks to his future. He writes past girlfriends and shows interest in Law School. He allows himself to become happy. Grossbart returns seeking two favors. He would like to know where his going to be sent, Marx explains that he doesn’t know and that Grossbart will have to wait like the others. The second favor is permission to visit his aunt for a Jewish meal. Marx objects, Bankston 6 but Grossbart is able to convince him to give him a pass to leave the base. When the time comes for Grossbart to leave, he goes to Marx, asking for permission to take Fishbein and Halpern.

Marx, now feeling like he being taken advantage of, becomes enraged with Grossbart. The other boys, caught in the situation, appeal to Marx to be allowed on the trip. Marx finally concedes and gives all three boys a pass. Marx then reflects on his struggles with Grossbart. He considers that some of it may be his fault and wonders how he got so “tight-hearted”. He recalls his past, his grandmother, and concludes that “the Messiah himself” wouldn’t “niggle over nickels and dimes. ” The next day Marx hears news that all the boys will be sent over to the Pacific.

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Marx finds the news shocking and he is now letting his connection with these boys interfere with being a good Sergeant. When Grossbart returns, he visits Marx at his bed. Marx even relates it to a homelike atmosphere. Grossbart explains that he is worried about Mickey after watching him cry. Marx realizes that this is just another tactic to find out where they will be shipped. Marx actually admires this tactic and sees himself in Grossbart, so he tells him the truth, they will be sent to the Pacific. Grossbart pleads with Marx before leaving. Marx explains that there is nothing he can do.

As Grossbart departs, he gives Marx his gift. Marx opens up the bag expecting fish, instead it’s a Chinese egg roll. Grossbart explains that his aunt wasn’t home and he had misread the letter. Marx has now had enough of Grossbart’s antics and lets him have it. “Grossbart, you’re a liar! Teamviewer 15 for mac. You’re a schemer and a crook! You’ve got no respect for anything! ” Marx realizes that he’s been had and now must live up to his duty as a Sergeant. Bankston 7 A week later the orders for the trainees comes in. Everyone is going to the Pacific, everyone expect Sheldon Grossbart.

Marx realizes that Grossbart had pulled and string and he wasn’t it. Marx calls a Corporal and makes up a story having Grossbart’s orders changed to the Pacific. He plays the same card that Grossbart has played against him. Grossbart’s orders are changed to the Pacific. Following the change in orders, Grossbart confronts Marx. Grossbart continues his antics, claiming his father has a poor heart, and he needs to be near him. Marx, however, now has no sympathy for Grossbart and tells Grossbart that he owes explanations to Fishbein and Halpen for using them in his quest to receive undue privileges.

Defender Of The Faith Philip Roth Pdf

Grossbart contends that he was indeed watching out for all of them. Marx has had enough of Grossbart, knowing that he has let the youngster get the best of him in the past and moves forward accepting that he must do what is right. Defender of the Faith explores maintaining personal integrity in the face of group pressures. When confronted with Grossbart, Marx had to decide what was more important, being a good Sergeant or being a good Jew. If Grossbart’s motivations would have been true, would that have changed things for Marx? Perhaps, but after being used repeatedly, Marx felt like he had to take action.

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It’s a common theme in life, your emotions can easily be used against you, and you must be aware of that fact at all times. Two possible questions from the Defender of the Faith: 1. What collection of stories was Defender of the Faith released with? Goodbye, Columbus 2. Why does Sheldon Grossbart feel that he shouldn’t have to participate in cleanup? He needs to go to the Jewish Church services. Works Cited Pozorski, Aimee. “The Philip Roth Society”. Central Connecticut State University. 7/1/2010 . “Philip Roth. ” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010 Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 7/1/2010