“The Magic Barrel” explores many aspects of the theme of self-discovery: the awakening of passion and desire; the definition of identity; the search for love. As the story begins, Leo is emerging from years of study to embrace life’s dilemmas. He experiences the awakening of passion and desire with resistance and confusion; his search for a wife begins not out of desire for love or devotion but, rather, to improve his chances of securing a congregation. Through his experiences with the matchmaker, Leo discovers what kind of bride he does not want—someone who sees him not for who he is but for his position in society.

As he attempts to define his priorities, Leo is caught in a web of contradictions: “apart from his parents, he had never loved anyone. Or perhaps it went the other way, that he did not love God so well as he might, because he had not loved man.” Leo’s relationship with God constitutes a major part of his struggle for identity. When he accepts the shortcomings of his studies (his books have not taught him to love either God or women) and himself, Leo is able to redefine his goals and begin advancement toward them. His major goal is to achieve love: not only love for God but also love for a woman.

In his efforts to meet and woo Stella, Leo is no longer content merely to take what Salzman has to offer—especially in a situation that causes the matchmaker much pain. Leo can now offer internal peace to both Salzman and himself through his involvement with Stella. Having come to terms with his own limits and with God, Leo is capable of fulfilling his need for love and of allowing himself to influence another’s life. He has finally achieved the attributes of passion and compassion that allow him to open his heart and reach for someone else. During their final encounter in the cafeteria, Salzman barely recognizes Leo, who “had grown a pointed beard” and whose eyes were “weighted with wisdom.” Clearly, the reference is to a man who looks like and is a rabbi, not to a man studying to become one.

Identity
Leo Finkle, a character in Malamud's work, is on a journey to understand his true self. After dedicating six years to studying for his ordination as a rabbi, he finds himself isolated and devoid of passion, disconnected from genuine human emotions. When Lily Hirschorn inquires about how he discovered his calling, Leo replies with embarrassment: ‘‘I am not a talented religious person. . . . I think . . . that I came to God, not because I loved him, but because I did not.’’ Essentially, Leo hopes that becoming a rabbi will help him learn to love himself and those around him. The conversation with Lily leaves Leo in despair as he realizes ‘‘. . . he saw himself for the first time as he truly was—unloved and loveless.’’

Upon facing this harsh truth, Leo becomes desperate to transform. He decides to reform and renew his life. Leo continues his search for a bride, but this time without the matchmaker's assistance: ‘‘. . . he regained his composure and some idea of purpose in life: to go on as planned. Although he was imperfect, the ideal was not.’’ Here, the ideal is love. Leo believes that through love—especially the love he feels at first sight of Stella Salzman's photograph—he can start anew and build an identity rooted in something positive. When he finally meets Stella, he ‘‘pictured, in her, his own redemption.’’...