"The Assistant"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, according to the concepts implemented in "The Assistant", it appears that there is a vast difference between Morris and the other members of society who appear in the novel. It shows that it seems that he has implemented authentic Jewish teachings in his life to the best of his ability and has succeeded in living a humble life and earns the respect of those who can see these qualities in him.

From the Paper:

"Malamud's "The Assistant" is a novel that demonstrates the manner in which people should come to terms with what they have in life. Of course, this does not mean that they can go on living their lives as meaningless individuals when under impoverished conditions, but what is suggested is that one can achieve more out of life through accepting what one has and learning to be a better person. Quite obviously, there is a religious undertone in this novel, and Malamud has been described as a Jewish writer. However, Malamud himself prefers not to be described this way because he finds it constraining to his work.

In "The Assistant" the main characters that demonstrate Malamud's ideas of self-suffering are Morris, Morris's daughter Helen, Frank Alpine, and the workers at the grocery store. It important to note that all these lives that revolve around the grocery store are one's expose the meaning of leading a life that is defined by one's circumstances. This is why the grocery store is also referred to as a prison."

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