Bernard Malamud (1914–1986): A quest for identity and self exploration

In this research paper I have chosen to work with the novel ‘The Assistant’ and ‘A New Life’ by the Jewish American writer Bernard Malamud (1914–1986) who is considered one of the most prominent figures in Jewish-American literature. His purpose of writing was to keep the civilization from destroying. As a writer Malamud has written about man's struggle against destruction forces before. His work shows a regard for Jewish tradition and the plight of ordinary man and imbues with the theme of moral wisdom gains through suffering. The message was implicit in his earliest stories and it became explicit in his later fiction. Malamud believes that man can realize his existence only through his acceptance of society around him. For that reason Malamud's protagonists are always bent on finding a new identity and with it a new rapport with society. This is because in Malamud's opinion, man has an innate strength which always prompts him to fight for the preservation of his life and moral essence. Through this present study the researcher looked into a self identity and exploration of man through his well known novels, ‘The Assistant’ and ‘A New Life’ and proved that his characters discussed the meaning of life, of man's place in the universe, of his relation to God and men. Through these two novels the researcher impresses the reader that man's humanity abides in spite of the adversity of his circumstances. And that man is not a static entity, but an organic being, always growing and learning the art of identity.