Critique of Memo Paris in The Natural by Bernard Malamud - Essay Example

Other (s) Critique of Memo Paris in “The Natural” by Bernard Malamud Memo Paris is one of the major women characters playing a critical role and purpose in the novel “The Natural” by Bernard Malamud. Throughout the novel, Memo is depicted as a destructive and materialistic seductress. The character depiction is critically important for the overall storytelling experience in the novel in a number of ways. This is particularly because the author, Bernard Malamud has skillfully used women characters to advance the themes of the story by presenting them as either saviors or destroyers. For example, Memo Paris character as a destructive force is counterbalanced by the character Iris Lemon who is presented as a constructive and life force. This critique argues that the character Memo Paris plays a critical role of a villain and destructive force behind all the novel’s scenes who eventually brings the protagonist’s fall. Throughout the novel “natural” villain characters like Memo Paris are used to provide an important thematic setting that stems from a variety of different mythological stories. According to Griffith “..you can locate the possible themes of a story or novel based on the actions or the behaviors of the major characters” (9). For example, the character Memo Paris has been particularly used by the author to bring out the despicable and destructive nature of women as well as to show that they can be devoid of feelings of compassion or love. This is particularly seen in when Memo ends up playing a critical role in the eventual destruction of Roy’s career (Malamud 230). Similarly, Memo’s moral apathy and greed is demonstrated when she is portrayed as a representation of the allure of sex devoid of love. For example, although she is the seductive agent of Judge Gus Sands and is receiving huge amounts of money from him, she deceives Roy that “Judge Gus is just like a daddy to me” (Malamud 113). Generally, the effective use of Memo Paris to construct a major theme of the novel is similar to how the Speakers voice was used to bring out and develop the themes of his play titled the Sonnet (Griffith 9). In most cases, interpreting the works of literature normally requires paying a close attention to the details in order to determine how they interconnect (Griffith 10). Apart from Memos purpose in enhancing the thematic structure of the story, she has also been used to expose the immorality and venality of the contemporary American society as evidenced by depictions of moral apathy, excessive materialism, hypocrisy and corruption. For example, Memo Paris is widely depicted in the novel as the antithesis of the hero of the novel, who eventually destroyed him and led to his downfall. This is particularly seen when she deceives Roy into providing her with material benefits out of her greed. Roy’s lust and infatuation for Memo Paris eventually results in his own downfall. On the other hand, the character Iris Lemon plays almost an opposite role of Memo Paris by lending energy to Roy Hobbs and nurturing him. It is however, surprising that Roy is unable to distinguish between the two women and choose what is best for him. Generally, the author may have used Memo Paris as a character to point out at the inherent weaknesses of Roy Hobbs for beautiful women and successfully portray him as a tragic hero. For example, Memo cleverly plays love games with Roy and yet he continues with his infatuation for her. “….And from the cities, he sent her candies, cards and other many little presents, all of which he found stuffed in his mailbox after his return, breaking his heart”(Malamud 82). Conversely, the character portrayal of Memo Paris has also helped improve the overall storytelling experience of the novel by presenting her as the antithesis to the hero that eventually leads to the hero’s downfall. Memo is through the literary work not presented as a vegetative goddess, the source of life. This role/, however, is undertaken by Iris Lemon. Iris Lemon is the woman who is full of a life force that she becomes a grandmother in thirty-three years. By simply standing and supporting Roy, Iris easily helps Roy break out of his entire slump. Memo’s destructive and evil nature on the other hand only saps Roy’s energy away (Malamud 110). On the first date of Roy and Memo, for instance, he immediately falls into nose-dives. It is evident that the desire Roy have for Memo is what causes him to become sick. Later on, this very intimate desire Roy has for Memo makes him get into bribery temptation from the judge to throw away the playoff game that decides the pennant. It is only after Roy has lost nearly everything that he begins to understand the real ulterior motives of Memo Paris. This is seen when Memo Paris attempts to prevent Roy from revenging on Gus Sands by telling Roy “..Don’t dare touch him (Gus Sands), you bastard”. Roy then responds by saying “You are actually right, but a whore, Memo” (Malamud 229). It is however evident that Roy’s desire for Memo nonetheless does not come from love, but hardly childish lust. Roy avoids as plague-bearing the responsibility of being with Iris, a grandmother. Being with Iris would make Roy a grandfather. Roy, therefore, pursues Memo by all means and tells her how he unconditionally loves her. These Roy’s actions show how blinded his is with lust. All the writings are on the wall, and no matter how hard Roy tries, he will never win Memo whatsoever. Memo is evil (Malamud 132). She is not all the nurturing life force goddess that Roy presumes she is. As a symbolic vegetative goddess, therefore, Memo should be with: her “sick” breast and she derogatorily claims that she is “strictly a dead man’s woman.” Dead man’s woman sentiments by Memo means, precisely the late Bump Baily. In a ‘more simplified term “dead man’s woman,” sentiment by Memo meant the men who have no life in them. Additionally, Memo Paris is presented in the Natural as a cunning type to be understood by men. Roy undergoes through this challenge as a man. The only real opportunity Memo offers Roy is the option to sell his soul to the judge. Opportunistic nature of Memo ironical as Roy ones in this life had already bribed the judge to set Memo free. Roy sells his soul to the judge. Only then, is when Roy has sacrificed his ability and talent for money so that he can be with Memo. However much being happy with Memo would cause Roy, he tries his level best to have her. Finally, Memo’s character portrays the trophy type of a wife material which must be purchased and mortgaged. Memo is ultimately a vacuum, sucking away Roy’s caring energy for her while giving him none of herself. However, the one part of the representation of the character Memo Paris that may have not worked well towards the enhancement of audience expectation and satisfaction is that it has made the story look more like an allegorical morality play. For example, Memo, is represented much like the “Bitch-Goddess of the American dream.” In conclusion, character depiction is critically important for the overall storytelling experience in the novel. For example, Memo Paris has successfully ben used in enhancing the thematic structure of the novel by playing a critical role of a villain and destructive force behind all the novel’s scenes that eventually brings the protagonist’s fall. In addition, Memo Paris has also been used to expose the immorality and venality of the contemporary American society as evidenced by depictions of moral apathy, excessive materialism, hypocrisy and corruption. Works Cited Griffith, Kelley. Writing essays about literature: A guide and style sheet (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2011. Print. Malamud, Bernard. The Natural. New York: Vintage, Harcourt Brace and Company Publishing, 1952. Print. Read More