The Magic Barrel Essays and Criticism

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The Magic Barrel | Essays and Criticism

• Inter-Generational Relations

  In the following essay, he places the story within the context of Jewish fiction of the 1950s and focuses on the theme of inter-generational relations.

• The Stories

  In the following excerpt, Richman provides a plot synopsis and an examination of the major themes of ‘‘The Magic Barrel.’’

• The Magic in Malamud’s Barrel

  In the following excerpt, Hoffer identifies parallels between the first five books of the Old Testament and the structure of the story, arguing that Finkle is a ‘‘sinner’’ rather than a hero.

• The Magic Barrel’: Pinye Salzman’s Kadish

  In the following excerpt, Reynolds investigates the meaning of the prayers for the dead that Salzman chants at the conclusion of ‘‘The Magic Barrel.’’ Published analyses of Bernard Malamud’s ‘‘The Magic Barrel’’ praise the ‘‘richly ambiguous’’ conclusion.

• The Minister and the Whore: An Examination of Bernard Malamud’s The Magic Barrel

  In the following excerpt, Miller discusses the role of love in ‘‘The Magic Barrel.’’

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