2021年1月23日发(作者：ger)
An Analysis of Symbolism in
The Magic Barrel

浅析《魔桶》中的象征意义








Liao Ruoqian


廖若倩

Student Number
：
20122908




Course Paper
Submitted in partial fulfillment
Of the requirements for the Literature Course
College of Automation
Chongqing University
December 2013
Abstract
Among Bernard Malamud
’
s short stories,
The Magic Barrel
is regarded as one of
the most superb literary works, which reflects the author
’
s style most distinctively. In
order to know Bernard Malamud more objectively and comprehensively, it is necessary
to make a further study about this short story.
This paper targeting above- mentioned purpose seeks to analyze the symbolism in
this
literary
work
in
the
hope
that
the
readers
can
get
a
better
understanding
of
the
whole novel and its brilliant author - Bernard Malamud.
Composed
of
3
parts
–

introduction,
an
analysis
of
symbolism
and
conclusion,
this paper gets the final results that the magic barrel is taken as the symbolism of the
magic of true love, fish stands for the slyness of Pinye Salzman and the two colors
–

red
and
white
separately
symbolize
the
evil
and
innocence
while
the
change
of
the
seasons emblems the process of Leo
’
s life.

Key words:
Bernard Malamud, Symbolism

1. Introduction
1.1 An Overview of the Author
In American and Jewish American literature of the twentieth century, the name of
Bernard Malamud (1914 - 1986) equals to that of Saul Bellow, Issac Bashevis Singer,
and Philip Roth. He was born in a Russian Jewish family in New York, leading a poor
life in his early years and losing his mother when he was only 15. Bernard Malamud
took
up
writing
since
the
1940s,
and
thenceforth
produced
a
series
of
works
in
succession,
contributing
to
American
literature
seven
novels
and
fifty
–

five
short
stories.

Among Bernard Malamud
’
s short stories,
The Magic Barrel
is regarded as one of
the
most
superb
literary
works.
The
same
titled
collection
of
short
stories
won
the
National
Award
for
him
in
1959
and
established
him
as
a
well
–

known
writer
in
America.
Barnard
Malamud
is
apt
to
present
that
“
the
schlemiel
struggles
against
forces within himself or in the world at large, serving as his symbolic Jew
”
(Kosofsky,
R.n.,
1991,
p.27).
The
basic
plot
of
his
works
often
represents
these
schlemiels
searching
after
a
new
life
or
moral
rebirth
or
striving
for
development
and
breakthrough in the universal existent predicament. Malamud
’
s works enjoy popularity
as
readers
identify
with
the
human
weakness
of
his
characters
and
appreciate
his
special style and technique. When one juxtaposes his novel with his short stories, the
latter,
where
Malamud
’
s
real
gift
lies,
is
considered
to
be
far
superior.
Many
critics
regard Malamud as the best short story writer in America and his short stories reflect
his various artistic techniques much better than his novel.
1.2 A Brief Summary of
The Magic Barrel


Not long ago there lived in uptown New York, in a small, almost meager room,
though crowded in the Yeshivah University. Finkle, after six years of study, was to be
ordained in June and had been advised by an acquaintance that he might find it easier
to
win
himself
a
congregation
if
he
were
married,
which
directly
leaded
to
the
first
meeting
of
Finkle
and
Pinye
Salzman,
who
was
exactly
a
marriage
broker
rich
in
experience.
1

The matchmaker appeared one night out of the dark fourth-floor hallway of the
graystone rooming house where Finkle lived, grasping a black, strapped portfolio that
had been worn thin with use. Salzman took the saying that
“
First comes family, amount
of dowry, also what kind promises
”
as the principle to introduce ladies who came from
good families, but were weak in own conditions to Leo. This kind of marriages based
on
pecuniary
benefit
made
Leo
feel
upset
and
tired,
which
forced
him
to
doubt
the
accuracy of his determination to ask for help from a matchmaker.

However, Leo did not give up the way to get a marriage through a matchmaker
completely. Had listened to the lobby of Salzman, Leo finally agreed to have a meeting
with
Lily.
In
the
process
of
contacting
with
this
old
and
vain
woman,
an
epiphany
occurred to Leo that apart from his parents, he had never loved anyone, or perhaps it
went the other way, that he did not God so well as he might, because he had not loved
man. It seemed to Leo that his whole life stood starkly revealed and he saw himself for
the first time as he truly was
–
unloved and loveless, which made him fall deeply into
profound despair.
The week that followed was the worst of Leo
’
s life. He didn
’
t eat and lose weight.
Days and days went by, nothing changed till Leo happened to get a vivid snapshot of a
beautiful and vigorous girl, who was exactly the daughter of Salzman - Stella. Leo was
deeply moved by her face even though he couldn
’
t point out the reason himself, but
what was undisputed was that he completely ensured this girl was just the one he had a
hard
time
looking
for.
Realizing
the
feeling
in
mind,
Leo
went
hurriedly
to
meet
Salzman. However, Salzman just told Leo his daughter was a wild one
–
wild, without
shame and she could not be a bride for a rabbi. Such as it is, Leo still insisted on his
own
choice
to
marry
Stella,
making
her
towards
kindness
and
himself
obey
God.
Finally,
Leo
went
through
all
the
obstacles
Salzman
settled
for
him
and
touched
his
true
love
–

having
a
sweet
meeting
with
Stella
while
violins
and
lit
candles
were
revolving in the sky.

1.3 Purpose & Significance
The Magic Barrel
is acclaimed as Bernard Malamud
’
s superb story and it is taken
from the collection of short stories of the same titled which won the National Award
for him in 1959 and established him as a well- known writer in America.
Additionally,
The
Magic
Barrel

reflects
the
author
’
s
style
most
distinctively.
In
2

order to know Bernard Malamud more objectively and comprehensively, it is necessary
to make a further study about this short story.
This paper targeting above-mentioned purpose seeks to analyze the symbolism in
this
literary
work
in
the
hope
that
the
readers
can
get
a
better
understanding
of
the
whole novel and its brilliant author - Bernard Malamud.
3