Moral Obligation in Malamuds Short Stories - Research Paper Example

Moral Obligation in Malamud’s Short Stories Bernard Malamud proves his prowess in addressing Jewish issue each time he writes an additional short story. The magic barrel stands out among the rest of his stories and connects the reader to the purposed motif. Malamud uses short stories as a tool through which he can tell the society the importance of moral obligation (Aarons 27). He manages to develop this theme in majority of his works. His stories have deeper meanings beyond what the reader can understand at a superficial level. Close and keen analysis of his works reveals the how the author builds the theme in the story. This paper will highlight the how the author develops the theme of moral obligation in the story ‘Magic Barrel’ and others. The ‘magic barrel’ is a fascinating literary piece that has received a lot of attention from literature scholars. The story centers on the Leo’s search for a bride, an assignment that he considers himself unable to handle and designates it tom Salzman, who specializes in matchmaking. The story highlights why Leo must embark on searching for a potential bride. Apparently, he had spent most of his years in rabbinical studies and having a wife at that juncture had the potential of improving his chances as a rabbi. At the time, a rabbi without a wife hardly found a congregation to shepherd. At twenty-seven, he realized that he urgently needed a bride but lacked the capacity to court one for himself because he had spent the preceding years concentrating on his studies and never found time to develop any social skills. These are the reasons that made him seek for the assistance of the matchmaker. The story progresses to describe the process that followed in the search for a bride. It becomes evident that Leo Finkle embarked on the venture because, it was an obligation for him to have wife, as a Jewish scholar. Although his initial motivation was entirely being able to meet the moral obligation required by Judaism, it turned out to mean much more. A rabbi had to have a wife prior to ordination, a factor that placed him in an appropriate position for him to understand the marriage institution complexities because he would have to give others counsel on such matters. Consequently, being bachelor placed a barrier for some potential rabbis because it proved them incapable of managing a congregation. Malamud uses Leo as reflection of religious moral obligations in the Jewish community. The zealous search that Leo indulges in reveals the depth and criticality of moral obligation. As Salzman made suggestions of potential brides for Leo, it became evident that his moral obligations influenced his decisions and opinions of the potential brides. He had moral standings that served to determine the would-be bride. In this context, Leo was acting in accordance to the Jewish law (Avery190). Having studied law for a long time, Korah laws defined his moral standings. As Malamud developed the story, he introduces a new perspective of moral obligation. As Leo Finkle absorbed himself in the search of a potential bride, he realized that he lacked the central value that defined an individual’s moral values. Although he strived to fulfill the religious moral obligations, he recognized that love for God had not moved him to theological law. In essence, love for God appeared to him as higher authority. Although being a rabbi involved helping others out of love, he lacked love for God and fellow humans. He recognized his need for love and resolved to build the important attribute that would help him serve effectively. He understood the emptiness that surrounded a rabbi who lacked understanding of love. Upon realization of the fact that he needed love, he woke up to the reality that love was a stronger moral obligation (Malamud 167). In addition, Malamud used the opinion of Salzman to emphasize the value of adhering to moral obligations. As a matchmaker, he handled Leo’s case with a different approach. He intended to find him a bride that could match the moral expectations of a rabbi’s wife. This is the reason why he could not bring himself to accepting the fact that Leo was becoming obsessed with his daughter, Stella, who had defied all moral obligations and resulted to a wild lifestyle. The author highlights the fact society disregards people who defy the moral expectations. Salzman described his daughter as ‘dead’ because of her lifestyle. Salzman mentioned that she did not qualify to become the wife of a rabbi. The author sought to establish the significance of moral values in society (Gill 159). The author chooses an effective ending by introducing a paradoxical perspective of moral obligation. Leo resolved to meet Stella, a woman with a wild lifestyle. An adherent of the stringent moral standing chooses to meet a woman who had defied the same morals that Leo loyally obeyed (Malamud 221). The presence of Salzman reciting prayers of the deceased prompts the reader to re-examine the real value of moral obligation. The paradox appears at the end and reckons the society to reconsider redefining moral obligation (Oaks 221). In the story ‘The First Seven Years’, Malamud brings out a different perspective of moral obligation. The assistants of Feld prove to be dishonest become they exercise fraud in the store. Moral obligations should serve as guidelines of helping an individual choose to do what is right without compulsion. Malamud introduces a contrasting character assistant Sobel, who earns himself respect from Feld because of his honesty and loyalty. The author portrays daily life activities but uses these to educate society on the significance of withholding moral values. Defying moral obligations may cost us several privileges and opportunities in life (Werlock 435). Moreover, the author uses max to bring out a different perspective of defying moral obligation through disregard of the true value of human life to pursue materialism. In ‘Mourners’, the author highlighted a different perspective of moral values. Malamud used Kessler to educate society on the importance of making decisions that conform to social values. Societal moral values form an authority that defines the behavior and responsibilities of the people in society (Norwoodand Eunice 577). According to the societal standings, the man should provide materially for his family. Kessler found it unbearable to stick with his family and preferred to move out and make something out of his life. The author then describes the treatment that Kessler received from the janitor, Ignace. The janitor sought to make life unbearable for the old man by defaming him with false accusations. Unfortunately, the cruel janitor managed to get the property owner to support him in the bid against Kessler. The author describes how the events unfolded until Kessler had to move out to the streets. Luckily, findings him decided to save the old man’s life and took him back to the flat. Malamud portrays how the old man ends up committing suicide because of the indifference that had resulted. Gruber could not handle the agony that resulted because he felt responsible for what had happened. Malamud uses these characters to educate society on the ways through which moral obligations compel us. The woman who saved Kessler acted because of her inner convictions guided by moral obligation. On the other hand, Gruber felt devastated and experienced agony because the moral obligations panged him with guilt because he had contributed to the death of the old man through his liaison with Ignace. In addition, the author develops the theme of moral obligation a different story, ‘the bill’. In this story, Willy started the habit of buying on credit from Mrs. Panesa. Initially, he would settle his debts but with time, he did not strive to settle debts. With time, the debt had increased and he declined to take up the responsibility of paying his debts even her husband was in a critical health condition. Instead of making efforts to settle the bill to enable her husband, seek medical attention. Although he could raise the ten dollars required, he opted to buy himself a coat. To his surprise, he realized that Mr. Panesa has succumbed to death. Willy defied moral obligations and sought to satisfy his selfish interests first. On a different perspective, the author highlights a different level of moral obligation in a story that involves the little lies of a young boy George who sought to build a reputation of intelligence for himself. In the ‘A Summer’s Reading’, the boy suffers devastation because he realized that people were well aware of his lies. Honesty is one of core moral values in society. The author uses the simple short story to challenge the society on their respect for moral obligations (Shuman 915). Malamud explores the motif of moral obligation in many of his literary works. The author successfully brings out multiple situations in which moral obligations. In each of these stories, the author reveals how moral obligations influence the decisions people make. In cases where people defy these obligations, they are subject to face multiple consequences. The author develops the theme in different works in a bid to emphasize significance. Work Cited Aarons, Victoria. What Happened to Abraham?: Reinventing the Covenant in American Jewish Fiction. Newark: Univ. of Delaware Press, 2005. Print. Avery, Evelyn G. The Magic Worlds of Bernard Malamud. Albany: State Univ. of New York Press, 2001. Print. Gill, S S. Malamud's Fiction: A Discourse of Authenticity and Acceptance. New Delhi: Prestige, 2007. Print. Malamud, Bernard. The Magic Barrel. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003. Print. Norwood, Stephen H, and Eunice G. Pollack. Encyclopedia of American Jewish History. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2008. Print. Oakes, Elizabeth H. American Writers. New York: Facts on File, 2004. Internet resource. Shuman, Robert B. Great American Writers, Twentieth Century. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002. Print. Werlock, Abby H. P, and James P. Werlock. The Facts on File Companion to the American Short Story. New York NY: Facts On File, Inc, 2010. Internet resource. Read More