The Conversion of the Jews | Style
Satire
Satire is a form of criticism that makes its point through biting irony and ridicule. Satire can be more effective than direct discussion because satire leaves a lasting image. In the story, Roth’s satirical target is Jewish formalism in the 1950s, particularly in Jewish communities like the one depicted in the story. In this community, Jews take to ludicrous and dispassionate extremes the belief that they are God’s chosen ones. For example, Ozzie’s mother studies a newspaper article describing a plane crash and only declares the accident a tragedy when she sees...
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