Saul Bellow's "A Silver Dish" paints a vivid portrait of Woody Selbst, a man in his sixties reflecting on life and loss. Woody, a successful businessman, lives in solitary contentment atop his warehouse in South Chicago. As Sunday church bells toll, they evoke memories of his recently deceased father and the fraught family dynamics that have shaped his life.

Woody's Contemplations

On this Sunday, Woody's thoughts wander to his father, Morris "Pop" Selbst, whose passing he mourns. He also reflects on his mother, whose conversion to Catholicism drove a wedge in the family, and his sisters who remain tethered to their maternal home even in their fifties. Woody's estranged wife, his long-time mistress Helen, and Halina—the woman for whom his father abandoned them—also flit through his mind. Each person in Woody’s life occupies a designated space in his routine, with Sundays long reserved for moments with Pop.

Memories of the Depression Era

The melodic chime of church bells transports Woody back to an incident during the Great Depression when he was just seventeen. He recalls being a seminary student, benefactor-supported by Mrs. Skoglund, a wealthy acquaintance. As a Jewish youth turned Christian, Woody was a figure of interest to Mrs. Skoglund and her circle. One day, his father approached him with a desperate plea: Halina, his father's partner, had stolen money, and Pop needed to repay it to prevent harm from befalling her. Torn between familial loyalty and the fear of losing his scholarship, Woody agreed to accompany his father to seek a loan from Mrs. Skoglund.

A Fraught Visit

The journey to Mrs. Skoglund’s mansion in Evanston was grueling, made worse by a fierce snowstorm. Arriving at the grand estate, Woody managed to talk their way past the skeptical housekeeper, Hjordis. In the parlor, Woody introduced his father and stepped aside as Pop spun a tale of hardship and redemption, appealing to Mrs. Skoglund’s sense of charity. As Mrs. Skoglund and Hjordis left to pray for guidance, Pop seized the moment to pilfer a silver dish from a cabinet—an insurance against denial of the funds he sought.

A Father's Betrayal

To Woody’s horror, his attempt to reclaim the stolen dish spiraled into a physical struggle with Pop. Their tussle ended just in time for Mrs. Skoglund’s return, who, after prayer, decided to grant the financial aid. As she penned the check, she asked Woody to join in a prayer for his father's salvation. Leaving the house, Woody questioned whether Pop had replaced the dish. With assurances from Pop, they spent the night in Evanston, awaiting the bank's opening to cash the check the next morning.

The Consequences Unfold

Days after their visit, the silver dish was reported missing, leading to Woody’s expulsion from the seminary. When Woody confronted Pop about this betrayal, his father simply handed over a pawn ticket for the dish. It was a stark testament to Pop’s moral flexibility and left Woody with a choice: reclaim the dish and face the truth, or walk away.

Recalling Pop's Last Days

Back in his apartment, Woody reflects on his father’s final moments. He vividly recalls the hospital scene, where Pop, determined to control his fate, attempted to remove his IV lines. In an act of defiance mixed with care, Woody climbed into the hospital bed to restrain him. Despite Woody’s efforts, Pop found his own way to leave the world, letting his life ebb away as he wished.