The Conversion of the Jews by Philip Roth - Essay Example

 The Conversion of the Jews by Philip Roth At first impression, ‘The Conversion of the Jews’ appears to narrate a story that is characterized by simplicity rather than the presence of abstract ideas. In fact, the straightforwardness of the narrative is such that it can be identified in a few words – ‘The Conversion of the Jews’ is a story about a teenage boy named Oscar “Ozzie” Freedman who is going through a crisis of faith. The reason why the central theme or idea of the story does not strike as something unique and extraordinary at first is because; the teenage crisis of faith is not a discovery made by Roth. In fact, as a reader one can actually relate to Ozzie’s questioning of various elements in society that may appear to restrict the desires of a teenage soul and bind it in the shackles of conformity and obligation. At the heart of Ozzie’s spirited imagination lies one question – why? One might ask whether Ozzie’s crisis of faith represents a moment of transition in a youngster’s life or a mere spark of conflict that eventually fades into oblivion. Through his work, Roth intends to put Ozzie in the league of those who have had the audacity to challenge the norms of society by suggesting that faith and religion are in fact two different notions and this premise is what Ozzie tries to demonstrate. Noting the initial response that Roth’s work was able to garner upon its release, Werlock (2009) identifies that the accolades which the book received for assessing the nature of sensitive issues in a lighthearted yet meaningful manner in literary circles presented a stark contrast from the manner in which the work was condemned by members of the Jewish community. However, the negative response that the text garnered in Jewish circles was immediately addressed by Roth, as the author tried to clarify his stance and unveil his aim behind the work’s publication. In ‘Reading Myself and Others’, Roth (1961) was quoted as saying that “…deliberately keeping Jews out of the imagination of Gentiles, for fear of the bigots and their stereotyping minds, is really to invite the invention of stereotypical ideas” (166). Roth’s intention in writing ‘The Conversion of the Jews’ is embodied in the creation of Ozzie, his ideologies and at times his naivety, which eliminates his ability to realize the reality of his life and circumstances. As a Jew, Ozzie’s existence in American society is marked by restrictions and obligations that he is bound to fulfill. This ideology entails, that as a member of the Jewish community, Ozzie is not expected to question, think and defy the highest religious authority which in this case is Rabbi Binder. For example, the question that most bothers Ozzie aims to uncover how it cannot be possible for God to, “let a woman have a baby without having intercourse” when it is He who holds the ability to “create heaven and earth in six days” (140-141). Ozzie’s defiance of authority comes across as a cause of grave concern for Mrs. Freedman who has witnessed the emergence of a rebellious streak in her child’s personality, Roth reminds us in Ozzie’s words that what he intended to ask is different because Binder’s description of Jesus’ historical presence fails to answer how it is not possible for a woman to give birth without having intercourse, if God wills (141). Ozzie’s ultimate accomplishment in this regard can be examined in terms of Roth’s quote from ‘Reading Myself and Others’ and the idea that humans are innately inquisitive beings. Therefore, it is not possible to expect from a thinking individual that he/she will blindly follow what is being fed into their mind by religious leaders. Intriguingly, many a dialogue in the text integrates the realities of the American identity and the foundations of American society within the spectrum of the religious standing and beliefs of the Jews. For example, in one particularly interesting encounter Ozzie asks how it is possible that his religious community declares Jews as ‘The Chosen People’ when the American society to which he belongs affirms that everyone is equal under the clauses of the Declaration of Independence (141). The interpretation of this inquiry can be conducted in the light of Ozzie’s evident crisis of faith in addition with how this dialogue serves Roth’s purpose of safeguarding the Jewish community from the subjection of stereotypes by putting forth his beliefs through the words of Ozzie. In Ozzie’s voice, the reader is able to understand that religion itself cannot be accepted as the factor that classifies human beings under the banner of those who are superior and those who are inferior. Being human is reason enough to promote the practice of equality in society; thus the grounds for political equality or spiritual legitimacy must be not be deemed as the forces that get decide upon whether a particular segment of society is somehow better than the other. Most importantly, as a teenager who is highly inquisitive in nature it is important for Ozzie to distinguish between religion and faith. In this scenario, religion only comprises of that which is preached by what one is forced to accept as authorities on the matter, which in Ozzie’s case are primarily Rabbi Binder and his mother. Thus, instead of experiencing a ‘crisis of religion’ the youngster is going through what is known as a ‘crisis of faith’ because while, it may not be possible for him to publicly denounce his religion because of societal pressures, one’s faith that exists in the heart and the mind can be subjected to doubts that exist even though they do not come onto the surface for everyone to judge and see. The thoughts that compel Ozzie to identify the conflict between his religion, society and logic have prompted him to venture on a journey of self-exploration at a young age. Thus, in the light of this assessment Ozzie’s observations seem to achieve the ultimate aim of encouraging readers to think and to question what does not appear right or what bothers them about the principles that guide their very existence. From Roth’s perspective, ‘The Conversion of the Jews’ aims to trigger and spark a healthy debate about the existence of the Jewish community within a society that in several of its unique ways may pose a conflict with the principles of the religion. Moreover, the message that the work conveys in the given scenario desires to educate people about greater attributes and positive behaviors, such as love, acceptance and most importantly tolerance, the latter of which is perhaps most lacking in society today. As noted by Werlock (2009), Ozzie’s movement towards the firemen’s net opens up a new chapter in his young life, a chapter that is marked by the presence moral uncertainty and a struggle to establish an identity that compliments both the larger American society and the teenager’s Jewish cultural heritage. As we see Ozzie fall into the net, Roth leaves the reader with a story that is unresolved. Does the firemen’s net represent Ozzie’s departure to an abyss of moral ambiguity or does it signify that he has been saved from the depths of a crisis of faith and identity? As Ozzie commands the crowd that has gathered to witness his presence at the synagogue’s roof to kneel before him, the ending of the book suggests that not only has Ozzie escaped his crisis of faith, his act of defiance has ensured that no member of his community would be reprimanded in the name of religion. References Roth, P. (1959). Goodbye, Columbus and five short stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Roth, P. (1961). Reading Myself and Others. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Werlock, A. H. P. (2009). The Facts on File companion to the American short story. New York: Facts on File. Read More