Philip Roth Criticism
The literary career of Philip Roth stands as a testament to his prowess in exploring Jewish-American life through a lens of satire, realism, and psychological depth. Roth's influence spans across themes of self-identity, cultural conflict, and the fluid boundaries between fiction and reality. His academic pursuits at Bucknell University and the University of Chicago laid the groundwork for a career that sparked debates and left a mark on American literature.
Roth initially gained recognition with Goodbye, Columbus, a collection that includes a novella and stories focusing on assimilated Jewish Americans, as analyzed by Alfred Kazin. The novella critiques American materialism through the romance of Neil Klugman and Brenda Patimkin, drawing comparisons to Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, as noted by Saul Bellow. His breakthrough novel Portnoy's Complaint, which satirizes Jewish life, sparked significant discussion, as explored by David Brauner, due to its explicit content and comedic yet critical examination of cultural norms.
Roth's fascination with the interplay between reality and fiction is evident in his recurring character Nathan Zuckerman, a figure central to works like The Ghost Writer and Zuckerman Unbound. In The Ghost Writer, Roth delves into artistic identity and familial pressures, employing narrative techniques reminiscent of Henry James, as noted by Adeline R. Tintner. Judith Yaross Lee further explores this theme in Flights of Fancy, highlighting Zuckerman's imaginative reconstruction of Anne Frank's life.
The Counterlife and The Human Stain further showcase Roth's skill in exploring identity and societal critiques, with Derek Parker Royal examining the postmodern Jewish identity in The Counterlife, and Elaine B. Safer noting the searing critique of political correctness in The Human Stain.
Roth's acclaimed novel American Pastoral explores themes of idealism, disillusionment, and cultural identity through the tragic story of Seymour "Swede" Levov. It has been compared to the biblical story of Job, reflecting its thematic depth. As highlighted by Donna Rifkind, the novel is celebrated for its epic scope and social commentary, while others like Michiko Kakutani praise its characterizations and detail.
The criticism surrounding Roth's works is as diverse as his themes. Some find his narratives repetitive or morally contentious, yet others, like those in Jewish Autobiographies and the Counter-Example of Philip Roth by Mark Krupnick, argue for the universal resonance of his satirical lens. While Roth's autobiography increasingly permeates his fiction, critics such as Joseph Epstein question the depth of this approach, highlighting his enduring humor and narrative engagement.
Roth's legacy is encapsulated in his ability to challenge and redefine Jewish-American narratives through works that blend humor, fantasy, and social realism. His novels, often straddling the line between autobiography and fiction, remain pivotal in discussions of modern literary identity and cultural politics. As argued by Bernard F. Rodgers, Jr., Roth's narrative techniques reveal internal and societal conflicts, solidifying his position as a major literary voice of our time.
Contents
- Principal Works
- Roth, Philip (Vol. 3)
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Roth, Philip (Vol. 119)
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A Postwar Paradise Shattered From Within
(summary)
In the following review, Kakutani praises American Pastoral, lauding the book's sensitively observed cast of characters and calling it 'a fiercely affecting work of art.'
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The Trouble with Swede Levov
(summary)
In the following review, Wood berates the slow pace of American Pastoral, but praises its prose and combination of rage and elegy. Noting similarities between Pastoral and John Updike's In the Beauty of the Lilies, Wood comments on both novels' treatments of national history and their 'mind-numbing realism.'
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Raging Roth
(summary)
In the following review Eder briefly compares John Updike's novel In the Beauty of the Lilies to Roth's American Pastoral.
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Weather Girl
(summary)
In the following review, Gitlin faults Roth's flat prose, sluggish excursions, and sideways motions in American Pastoral, but notes that "Inside this long, viscous book, a solid, serious allegory struggles to get out."
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The Indigenous American Berserk
(summary)
In the following review of American Pastoral, Cohen critiques Roth's repetitive use of his character Nathan Zuckerman, but praises the author's narrative energies, claiming that age seems to have "enriched [Roth's] perspective."
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The Irony and the Ecstasy
(summary)
In the following essay, Menand analyzes many of the themes in American Pastoral and compares it briefly to several other works by Roth.
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Terrorism, the Perfect Choice
(summary)
In the following review Hensher analyzes Roth's depictions of terrorism and the theme of betrayal in the novel American Pastoral.
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The End of Innocence
(summary)
In the following review Rifkind asserts that Roth is at his best in American Pastoral. She praises the epic qualities of the book, the depth of characterizations, and the social commentary and critique that make the novel '… possibly the finest work of his career.'
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Paradise Lost
(summary)
In the following review Hardwick briefly compares American Pastoral to several other works by Roth: Operation Shylock, The Anatomy Lesson, Portnoy's Complaint, and The Professor of Desire. She examines the evolution of the character Nathan Zuckerman through the course of these novels.
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The Indigenous Berserk
(summary)
In the following review Boyers comments on Roth's examination of moral virtues, decency, and American society in his novel American Pastoral.
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A review of American Pastoral
(summary)
In the following review, Fodor asserts that Roth's American Pastoral is interesting not only due to its treatment of 'earlier, seemingly simpler times in American history, but also because Roth uses his story to examine the failures of American idealism in public life.
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A Postwar Paradise Shattered From Within
(summary)
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Roth, Philip (Vol. 201)
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Jewish Autobiographies and the Counter-Example of Philip Roth
(summary)
In the following essay, Krupnick places Roth within the tradition of Jewish-American autobiographies.
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Masturbation and Its Discontents, or, Serious Relief: Freudian Comedy in Portnoy's Complaint
(summary)
In the following essay, Brauner explores the comedic aspects of Portnoy's Complaint, contending that the novel is based on the unresolved tension between Roth's impulse “to treat psychoanalysis comically, and to treat comedy psychoanalytically.”
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Kulturkampf, Now and Then
(summary)
In the following essay, Boxwell praises The Human Stain, believing the novel aptly explores the historical, political, social, and cultural forces working in American society in the late 1990s.
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James Wood (review date 17 & 24 April 2000)
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The Cost of Clarity
(summary)
In the following mixed review of The Human Stain, Wood traces Roth's literary development, asserting he is “an extraordinarily intelligent novelist” whose intellect may actually contribute to his “vulgarianism.”
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The Cost of Clarity
(summary)
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Professor of Passion
(summary)
In the following mixed assessment, Hynes asserts that Roth displays passion and an eloquent search for meaning in The Human Stain.
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Clinton's Complaint
(summary)
In the following review of The Human Stain, Adams lauds Roth's exploration of American popular culture in each of his works, maintaining that there is a “supreme confidence” displayed in his writing.
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Rage Is All the Rage in America
(summary)
In the following review, Charles offers a laudatory assessment of The Human Stain.
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Getting the American People Right
(summary)
In the following review, Bernstein contends that Roth provides richly detailed character portraits in The Human Stain and feels this novel effectively explores crucial points of American postwar history.
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Twilight Triumphs
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Allen praises Roth's depiction of Coleman Silk in The Human Stain, viewing him as a “powerfully imagined and deeply appealing character.”
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The Troves of Academe
(summary)
In the following essay, Romano finds connections between The Human Stain and Francine Prose's Blue Angel.
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A Child of the Age
(summary)
In the following review, Leonard views character Nathan Zuckerman as a reflection of Roth and traces Zuckerman's development throughout The Human Stain.
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Pursued by the Furies
(summary)
In the following review, Gardam discusses the main thematic elements within The Human Stain.
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‘OK, Holy Man, Try This’
(summary)
In the following review, Hamilton considers aspects of The Human Stain, musing over which elements in Roth's writing are possibly autobiographical.
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Stain of Sanctimony
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Krupnik draws a connection between the events portrayed in The Human Stain and those occurring in the American political scene during the late 1990s.
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Born Again
(summary)
In the following review, Webb contends that Roth presents well-crafted prose and a complex portrayal of Nathan Zuckerman in The Human Stain.
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America from the Waist Down
(summary)
In the following review, Bachman views The Human Stain as a compelling reflection of culture, politics, and society in America in the late 1990s.
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Holocaust Writing
(summary)
In the following essay, Milowitz examines Roth's treatment of the Holocaust in such works as The Professor of Desire, The Prague Orgy, Deception, Operation Shylock, and others.
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Communities Perhaps
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Wilhelmus describes The Human Stain as a well-knit novel that explores controversial racial and ethnic dilemmas.
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Review of The Human Stain
(summary)
In the following review, Jacobs provides a laudatory assessment of The Human Stain, highlighting Roth's status as a great chronicler of contemporary American life and praising the depth of his imagination and prose.
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Review of The Dying Animal
(summary)
In the following review, Haskell identifies physical and emotional intimacy as key thematic concerns of The Dying Animal.
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The Ghost Rutter
(summary)
In the following review, Heller considers sexual intercourse as a major theme of The Dying Animal, and of Roth's entire oeuvre.
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The Professor of Desire
(summary)
In the following review, Gessen compares Roth's writing to that of Leo Tolstoy and views The Dying Animal as an extended essay about Roth's recurring theme of sexual relations.
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D Cups to Die For
(summary)
In the following review, Freely commends the humor and candor she finds within The Dying Animal, but deems the novel 'in execrable taste.'
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January and April
(summary)
In the following mixed review, Smee contrasts The Dying Animal and J. M. Coetzee's Disgrace.
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Sick with Desire
(summary)
In the following review, Lodge appreciates Roth's literary achievements and judges The Dying Animal as a brief “disturbing masterpiece.”
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Consuela's Charms
(summary)
In the following review of The Dying Animal, Toynton argues that Roth fails to fulfill the potential within his characters and story, resulting in a disappointing book.
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Purity and Danger: On Philip Roth
(summary)
In the following essay, Posnock explores the tension between the good boy/bad boy persona used within Roth's novels, particularly in The Human Stain.
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Reading Lessons
(summary)
In the following review, Levi contends that the conversations, letters, and essays collected in Shop Talk provide insightful glimpses into the careers of important postwar writers, particularly into Roth's motivations and literary inspiration.
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Being Jewish in the Twentieth Century: The Synchronicity of Roth and Hawthorne
(summary)
In the following essay, Duban explores connections between Roth's story “Eli, the Fanatic” and Nathaniel Hawthorne's “The Minister's Black Veil.”
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Talking without Tears
(summary)
In the following review, Morrison assesses Shop Talk as an insightful, interesting collection that reveals much about the ten authors that Roth “interviews” in the book.
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My Life as an Old Man
(summary)
In the following review, Bush compares The Dying Animal to Fyodor Dostoevsky's Notes from the Underground and asserts that Roth's focus on private, male, sexual themes reinforces public stereotypes about his earlier works.
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Tragedy and Farce in Roth's The Human Stain
(summary)
In the following essay, Safer interprets The Human Stain as a commentary on the “political correctness fever” during the 1990s and outlines the tragic and farcical elements of the novel.
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Review of Shop Talk
(summary)
In the following review, Madden believes Shop Talk demonstrates Roth's position as a powerful and important voice in the world of contemporary literature. He discusses the misleading title and the content of the book, highlighting interviews with notable figures and Roth's distinct verbal and intellectual capabilities.
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Postmodern Jewish Identity in Philip Roth's The Counterlife
(summary)
In the following essay, Royal argues that The Counterlife is Roth's most pivotal novel and marks the starting point for his exploration of a postmodern Jewish identity.
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On the Road with Philip Roth
(summary)
In the following essay, Shechner assesses Roth's influence on his own literary outlook.
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Jewish Autobiographies and the Counter-Example of Philip Roth
(summary)
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Roth, Philip (Vol. 86)
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Roth Contemplates His Pipik
(summary)
In the review below, he presents a mixed assessment of Operation Shylock.
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Recruiting Raw Nerves
(summary)
In the following review, he remarks on theme and characterization in Operation Shylock and places the novel in the context of Roth's previous works.
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The Spritzer
(summary)
In the following review, he examines Roth's use of farce and the doppelgänger in Operation Shylock.
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Operation Roth
(summary)
In the review below, he discusses characterization and the theme of Jewishness in Operation Shylock.
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Nicely! Nicely!
(summary)
In the following review, Turner speculates on Roth's motivation for writing Operation Shylock and other novels that feature a Philip Roth persona.
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Roth Contemplates His Pipik
(summary)
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Roth, Philip (Vol. 15)
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Looking at Roth's Kafka; or Some Hints about Comedy
(summary)
In the following essay, Irving Malin analyzes Roth's piece "I Always Wanted You to Admire My Fasting, or, Looking at Kafka," asserting that Roth uses a blend of comedy, fantasy, and documentary elements to explore the union of opposing tendencies, thereby highlighting the nature of comedy as a reflection on life and normalcy.
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Philip Roth
(summary)
In the following essay, Martin Green asserts that Philip Roth is the most gifted novelist of his generation, adeptly integrating literary criticism into his fiction, balancing influences from contemporaries and classical authors, and exploring the conflict between refinement and vulgarity within Jewish identity, while maintaining a central focus on moral and cultural dilemmas.
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The Ghost Writer
(summary)
In the following essay, Jonathan Penner examines Philip Roth's The Ghost Writer and argues that while the novel demonstrates Roth's narrative power and craft, it suffers from structural flaws and excessive character emphasis, yet ultimately stands as a testament to Roth's mastery in fiction despite these shortcomings.
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The Lesson of the Master
(summary)
In the following essay, Robert Towers praises Philip Roth's narrative voice in "The Ghost Writer" as distinctive and engaging, while critiquing the work's structural missteps and tonal inconsistencies that hinder its full potential.
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What Nathan Knew
(summary)
In the following essay, Mark Shechner examines Philip Roth's use of imaginative "what if" scenarios in his work, particularly in "The Ghost Writer," highlighting the nuanced interplay between historical tragedy and personal imagination, while critiquing Roth's restraint and the potential for deeper exploration of his characters' complexities.
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'The Ghost Writer'
(summary)
In the following essay, Phoebe-Lou Adams argues that Philip Roth's novel "The Ghost Writer" lacks the convincing character depth of his previous works, presenting instead a set of intellectual constructs that serve more as representations of different authorial attitudes rather than fully realized fictional personalities.
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Roth's Promise
(summary)
In the following essay, Daphne Merkin critiques Philip Roth's novel The Ghost Writer, arguing that while Roth demonstrates insight into the conflicts between personal and artistic pursuits, he fails to expand these themes beyond a limited context, suggesting that it is time for Roth to explore new literary terrains.
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The Ghost and Mr. Zuckerman
(summary)
In the following essay, Sheppard J. Ranbom analyzes Philip Roth's "The Ghost Writer," highlighting its intricate balance of artistry, character dynamics, and the interplay between reality and fantasy, ultimately emphasizing Roth's mastery in capturing the complexities of the artistic process and the ironic strength of his narrative voice.
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The Calling
(summary)
In the following essay, Candace Hagan argues that Philip Roth's novel The Ghost Writer serves as a nuanced response to critics by exploring the artist's struggle for authenticity, portraying the separation between the artist's creative vision and societal expectations through the allegorical character of Nathan Zuckerman.
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Can't Have Both
(summary)
In the following essay, Helen McNeil argues that Philip Roth's novella The Ghost Writer cleverly reinterprets Henry James's concept of the "madness of art," showcasing Roth's unique style and thematic focus on performance and broken inheritance, while establishing his independence from Jamesian influence.
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Roth & Baldwin: Coming Home
(summary)
In the following essay, Pearl K. Bell contends that Philip Roth's novel The Ghost Writer demonstrates a marked departure from his earlier works by cultivating compassion and literary ambition, while wrestling with the tension between personal life and artistic dedication, yet falls short in fully examining the consequences of this dichotomy.
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The Dangers of Finesse
(summary)
In the following essay, Lorna Sage critiques Philip Roth's novel The Ghost Writer, arguing that while the novel adeptly addresses themes of shame and literary ambition with stylistic elegance, it suffers from an over-refinement that risks detaching Roth from the visceral engagement with guilt and vulnerability that his work seeks to explore.
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Looking at Roth's Kafka; or Some Hints about Comedy
(summary)
- Roth, Philip (Vol. 6)
- Roth, Philip (Vol. 1)
- Roth, Philip (Vol. 2)
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Roth, Philip (Milton) (Contemporary Literary Criticism)
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The Fiction of Philip Roth
(summary)
In the following essay, John N. McDaniel explores Philip Roth's dual struggle with American culture and Jewish identity, asserting that Roth remains a pivotal figure in American literature for his unique approach to social realism and his nuanced depiction of Jewish life, which defies traditional expectations and raises complex cultural questions.
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Zuckerman's Success
(summary)
In the following essay, Sanford Pinsker examines Philip Roth's Zuckerman Unbound, arguing that the novel's complex portrayal of Nathan Zuckerman reflects Roth's exploration of American Jewish identity, success, and artistic authenticity, while also critiquing Roth's tendency to merge autobiographical elements with fiction.
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The Disappearing Text: Philip Roth's 'The Ghost Writer'
(summary)
In the following essay, Patrick O'Donnell argues that Philip Roth's novel The Ghost Writer explores themes of textuality, authority, and originality through complex narrative structures and parodic reflection, as it navigates the intricate relationships between authors, their works, and issues of identity and inspiration.
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Christopher Lehmann-Haupt
(summary)
In the following essay, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt explores Philip Roth's use of irony and self-reflection in "The Anatomy Lesson," analyzing the ambiguous relationship between the author and his protagonist Nathan Zuckerman, while questioning the novel's position as the culmination of Roth's autobiographical trilogy.
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Roth's Writer and His Stumbling Block
(summary)
In the following essay, Robert Kiely critiques Philip Roth's novel "The Anatomy Lesson," arguing that it illustrates the protagonist Nathan Zuckerman's struggle with self-absorption and creative impotence, reflecting Roth's exploration of the writer's existential crisis and the challenges of producing meaningful fiction in a society where "everything goes and nothing matters."
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Zuckerman Fights Back: Philip Roth with a Vengeance
(summary)
In the following essay, Gary Giddins examines Philip Roth's "The Anatomy Lesson," highlighting its thematic exploration of the consequences of literature on its protagonist Nathan Zuckerman, while also addressing the interplay of Roth's personal literary feuds and the broader cultural and intellectual contexts of American Jewish identity.
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What Does Philip Roth Want?
(summary)
In the following essay, Joseph Epstein critiques Philip Roth, highlighting the author's persistent rage and desire for recognition and adoration, while also noting Roth's talent and humor but questioning his lack of generosity and the increasingly autobiographical nature of his work, which Epstein argues diminishes its rereadability and depth.
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Roth on Roth
(summary)
In the following essay, Mervyn Jones critiques Roth's "The Anatomy Lesson" for its self-absorption, lack of detachment, and perceived insensitivity to diverse perspectives, arguing that these flaws render the novel a tedious read despite its humor and skilled writing.
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Unfair to Life!
(summary)
In the following essay, John Mellors argues that Philip Roth's The Anatomy Lesson utilizes sharp satire and vibrant self-analysis to deliver incisive commentary on American life and the novelist's role, despite potential criticisms of verbosity and self-pity.
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Nathan Agonistes
(summary)
In the following essay, Julian Webb argues that Philip Roth's The Anatomy Lesson is a masterful work that transcends symbolic and metaphorical boundaries, offering a vivid and convincing portrayal of reality through its protagonist's struggles, thereby expanding the frontiers of fiction without relying on stylistic experimentation.
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An Old Form Revitalized: Philip Roth's 'Ghost Writer' and the 'Bildungsroman'
(summary)
In the following essay, W. Clark Hendley examines Philip Roth's "The Ghost Writer" as a modern adaptation of the traditional Bildungsroman, highlighting its thematic focus on the protagonist Nathan Zuckerman's journey toward self-discovery and the role of art, while also discussing the novel's engagement with Roth's own life and the broader context of late twentieth-century fiction.
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The Fiction of Philip Roth
(summary)
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Roth, Philip (Vol. 22)
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Bernard F. Rodgers, Jr.
(summary)
In the following essay, Bernard F. Rodgers, Jr. argues that Philip Roth's literary oeuvre, characterized by its exploration of the interplay between reality and fantasy in American life, consistently employs techniques ranging from psychological realism to modern narrative structures, culminating in the psychoanalytic monologue of "Portnoy's Complaint" to effectively reveal the internal and societal conflicts of his characters.
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Flights of Fancy
(summary)
In the following essay, Judith Yaross Lee analyzes Philip Roth's The Ghost Writer, arguing that it explores the tension between realism and fantasy, particularly through the character Nathan Zuckerman, who grapples with artistic identity, familial expectations, and the imaginative reconstruction of Anne Frank's life, ultimately underscoring the interdependence of fiction and reality.
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Henry James as Roth's Ghost Writer
(summary)
In the following essay, Adeline R. Tintner argues that in Philip Roth's The Ghost Writer, Henry James serves as the metaphorical ghost writer, with Roth emulating James's narrative techniques to address themes of family guilt and personal obsession, while simultaneously crafting a modern interpretation of James's storytelling methods.
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Books of 'The Times': 'Zuckerman Unbound'
(summary)
In the following essay, Broyard examines "Zuckerman Unbound" as a reflection on the interplay between fame and identity, highlighting Roth's exploration of celebrity culture, the limitations of authenticity, and the distinct yet recognizable narrative voice that characterizes Roth's work, suggesting a need for greater depth and maturity.
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Has Success Failed Roth?
(summary)
In the following essay, Isa Kapp critiques Philip Roth's narrow thematic focus and self-scrutiny in works like Zuckerman Unbound, while acknowledging his comedic prowess, mastery of mimicry and derision, and the ironic tension in his portrayal of Jewish life, ultimately questioning the cost of Roth's artistic liberation from traditional novelistic conventions.
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The Gripes of Roth
(summary)
In the following essay, Tony Tanner explores Philip Roth's preoccupation with the intersection of art and life in Zuckerman Unbound, questioning the blurred lines between personal experience and fictional representation and considering the novel as a potential act of personal exorcism for Roth.
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Still Waiting for His Masterpiece
(summary)
In the following essay, Weil critiques Philip Roth's Zuckerman Unbound, arguing that while Roth's writing remains engaging and humorous, the novel ultimately fails due to its lack of depth and unresolved exploration of the protagonist's liberation from his past, suggesting a superficial treatment of enduring themes.
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My Life as a Writer
(summary)
In the following essay, Richard Gilman argues that Philip Roth's Zuckerman Unbound fails to thoroughly explore the theme of fame and instead becomes entangled in the author's personal experiences, resulting in a narrative that feels disjointed and preoccupied with establishing Roth's credentials as an entertaining writer rather than delivering a cohesive story.
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The Revenge of the Vrai
(summary)
In the following essay, Edward Rothstein examines Philip Roth's "Zuckerman Unbound," highlighting its exploration of fame, the blending of reality and fiction, and the moral implications of literature, while questioning the novel's limitations and its reflection on Roth's own artistic struggles and ambitions.
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Bernard F. Rodgers, Jr.
(summary)
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Roth, Philip (Milton) (Short Story Criticism)
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Tough-minded Mr. Roth
(summary)
In the following favorable review of Goodbye, Columbus, which was originally published in Reporter on May 28, 1959, Kazin commends Roth's innovative presentation of the Jew as an individual, particularly in the title novella.
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The Suburbs of Babylon
(summary)
In the following review of Goodbye, Columbus, Howe supports Roth's characterization of suburban Jewry but disapproves of his moral pointedness.
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The Swamp of Prosperity
(summary)
In the following excerpted review of Goodbye, Columbus, Bellow announces the arrival of a talented writer, accurate in his understanding of contemporary American Jewry, though excessively wry in his handling of the material.
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The Image of Newark and the Indignities of Love: Notes on Philip Roth
(summary)
In the following assessment of Goodbye, Columbus, Fiedler maintains that the title novella's "slovenliness" makes it superior to the book's remaining short fiction.
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The Sadness of Philip Roth: An Interim Report
(summary)
In the excerpt below, Landis claims that sadness and a yearning for a more meaningful way of life motivate Roth's acerbic portrait of upper-middle class Jewry in his short fiction.
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Writing about Jews
(summary)
In the following essay, Roth defends his portrayals of Jewish Americans in his short fiction, specifically in "Epstein" and "Defender of the Faith," arguing that he writes about individual values and vices rather than those of the larger community.
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In Defense of Philip Roth
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Isaac examines Roth's protagonists in Goodbye, Columbus, "Defender of the Faith," and "Eli the Fanatic," concluding that his characters "are men in the middle, lacking a sure sense of values."
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Philip Roth Reconsidered
(summary)
In his reconsideration of Goodbye, Columbus, Howe maintains that Roth's short fiction is limited by his willful shaping of the text.
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The Fiction of Philip Roth: An Introduction
(summary)
In the following excerpt, McDaniel compares one of Roth's earlier works, "The Contest for Aaron Gold," with a more recent piece, "I Always Wanted You to Admire My Fasting': Or, Looking at Kafka," to demonstrate thematic and artistic consistencies in Roth's short fiction.
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Good Girls and Boys Gone Bad
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Jones and Nance examine the themes connecting Goodbye, Columbus, "Epstein, " "Conversion of the Jews, " and "Eli, the Fanatic."
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Love and Identity: Neil Klugman's Quest in Goodbye, Columbus
(summary)
In the following excerpted essay, Nilsen argues that protagonist Neil Klugman in Roth's Goodbye, Columbus, separates from his lover to affirm his own identity.
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Nice Jewish Boys: The Comedy of Goodbye, Columbus and the Early Stories
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Halio explores the dark humor present in each of Goodbye, Columbus's five short stories.
- "The Conversion of the Jews"
- "The Defender of the Faith"
- "Epstein"
- "You Can't Tell a Man by the Songs He Sings"
- "Eu, the Fanatic"
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Tough-minded Mr. Roth
(summary)
- Further Reading