After hearing that he would have better job prospects if he were to get married, leo decides to consult a matchmaker. The magic barrel is one of his most prominent short fictions which won the national book award for fiction. However, when leo goes to salzmans apartment, he realizes that there is no barrel in sight. That is why the tone and style of the magic barrel are so unmistakable and truthful. Ebscohost serves thousands of libraries with premium essays, articles and other content including pinye salzman, pan, and the magic barrel. Bernard malamud, the magic barrel, salvation, rebirth 1. It is an allusion to the saying more fun than a barrel of monkeys. They were the protagonists in a short story titled the magic barrel. In bernard malamuds the magic barrel, one of the main characters is a marriage broker named pinye salzman. Lily hirshorn is clearly enamored of the spirituality she has been primed to see in finkle. When salzman addresses finkle as rabbi and is admonished to call him mister, samzman settles on doctor and then goes back to rabbi when leo was not listening too attentively. An analysis of the magic barrel essay 727 words 3 pages the magic barrel bernard malamuds short story the magic barrel takes place in uptown new york and is centered around leo finkle, a rabbinical student who is about to be ordained. Leo was supposed to be one step closer to finding out what is usually hidden about salzman, nevertheless instead after he delivered to his apartment, this individual was more shocked by simply how the man.
The magic barrel focuses on the interaction of two main characters. We first see him sporting an amiable manner curiously contrasted with mournful eyes 2 and later he appears as a skeleton with haunted eyes 116. Through two main characters author involves us in a specific business going on between leo finkle, a lonely rabbinical student, and pinye salzman, a matchmaker. Jul 10, 2017 the magic barrel is a beautiful modern american story by bernard malamud. Leo finkle and pinya salzman were two european jewish immigrants in new york city. Salzmans colloquial speech is influenced by yiddish. Salzman is maybe the most complex character in the story. In form, content, and, perhaps most of all, moral vision, critics have long regarded the magic barrel as quintessential bernard malamud. What is the role of the fish smell that is used to describe salzman.
The magic barrel by bernard malamud overdrive rakuten. The magic barrel not long ago there lived in uptown new york, in a small, almost meager room, though crowded with books, leo finkle, a rabbinical student in the yeshivah. Her purpose is to bolster leos own choice of profession. The magic barrel questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on the magic barrel. Salzman uses phrases such as two fine people that they. Symbolism used in the magic barrel education seattle pi. The magic barrel is a short story by bernard malamud, and this quizworksheet combo will help you test your understanding of it. Salzman acts like a magical director for leo because his wellintentioned and rational. Nov 16, 2009 this is a sample analysis for the story the magic barrel. It might be because of the author of that magic barrel story.
His appearance at many different times is extremely awkward. Leo visits salzman s home and finds no sign of salzman or his magic barrel 155. Recorded before a live audience at chicagos guest quarters suite hotel in july 1992. Almost everyone who has written on bernard malamuds acclaimed short story the magic barrel notes that pinye salzman, the matchmaker, smells frankly of. Introduction bernard malamud is a jewish writer who is adept at depicting the suffering life of jewish 1. The near side of the room is crowded with rickety chairs, old bureaus, a threelegged table where the telephone is placed, racks of cooking utensils, and all the apparatus of a kitchen.
But it takes some good inscene action between leo and salzman to see the full extent of the change in finkles character. Salzman uses phrases such as two fine people that they would be wonderful to be married and partikiller, both which are reminiscent of what. Finkle leos mother lily hirschorn schoolteacher pinye salzman matchmaker mrs. The magic barrel notes that pinye salzman, the matchmaker, smells frankly of. Complete summary of bernard malamuds the magic barrel. The magic barrel bernard malamud part i leo finkle has spent the last six years studying to become a rabbi at new york citys yeshivah university. Leo finkle is a bright young dude studying to be a rabbi. It is usually spooky how he has the information of points that he plainly should not be informed of. The character of salzman, throughout the novel becomes increasingly mysterious. Also, the jewish publication society released its own edition at the same time. Fish and the book of tobit in malamuds the magic barrel. From jana zviblemans 2006 introduction to the magic barrel leo finkle and pinya salzman were two european jewish immigrants in new york city. The photo of stella symbolizes hope, redemption, love in other words, possibilities. What conclusions can you draw from this regarding salzman s attitude toward leo finkle.
This was the basis of the story and a main point in what we knew about the mysterious salesman of people. Discuss the title the magic barrel salzman says that his drawers are already filled to the top with bachelorette portfolios so i keep them now in a barrel. There is conflict at the start of the relationship between leo and salzman over what he should be looking for in a potential wife. So, our evening here tonight should be named after some buba monsa about a rabbinical student and a marriage broker. In a large, dingy, room divided by a halfopen curtain, beyond which, a sagging metal bed. He gazed around at the shelves of books and let out a soft, contented sigh. Not long ago there lived in uptown new york, in a small, almost meager room, though crowded with books, leo finkle, a rabbinical student in the yeshivah university. Stella, not a fish in a barrel, will take some work to redeem. The midwillamette valleys premier literary event, the magic barrel. The magic barrel by bernard malamud 1160 words essay.
The theme of this story is highly serious and suggestive related to a mans duty and the meaning of real love. Apr 28, 20 salzman uses phrases such as two fine people that they would be wonderful to be married and partikiller, both which are reminiscent of what. We are not alarmed when we later discover salzman s magic barrel is nonexistent, in his socks. Jewish culture, tradition, myths and symbols appear first and are perhaps the most obvious elements in the story the comical elements are jewish as well. The magic barrel bernard malamuds short story the magic barrel takes place in uptown new york and is centered around leo finkle, a rabbinical student who is about to be ordained. But the matchmaker he chooses, pinye salzman, has a track record that isnt exactly sterling. Salzman is a very sociable, outgoing man who tries to convince leo to get married. His appearance from numerous times is extremely uncomfortable. Salzman and finkle serve as an ideal instrument for the author to reveal his thoughts about the issue and make. In this particular short story, the young character named leo went to an older match maker named salzman for help finding a wife. In the story leo finkle, an unmarried rabbinical student more familiar with books than with life, has been advised that he will find it easier to land a pulpit if. She doesnt have any dialogue of her own and we see her only through three basic snippets. In fact, malamud includes another angel in the same volume with the magic barrel, namely, alexander levine in the story angel levine.
Each of the much handled cards from salzmans magic barrel represent a person whose aloneness is a counterpart of his own. The magic barrel by bernard malamud, if, as one may well suppose from the story, leo knows where salzman is and what he is doing reciting the kadish then the matchmaker is playing his part to the end. So unless the barrel is hidden in a closet somewhere, it probably doesnt even exist at all. Quotes by bernard malamud about corvallis, oregon magic barrel. When leos eyes fell upon the cards, he counted six spread out in salzmans hand. Salzman seems to suddenly appear and disappear, wears clothes that look like costumes, and gestures in an animated way with long, bony fingers.
The the magic barrel community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. Salzman exists entirely within ordinary determinations. The magic barrel is a short story full of contradictions. This study guide consists of approximately 48 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the magic barrel. Salzman the matchmakers wife stella salzman daughter of the matchmaker mrs. An analysis of the magic barrel essay 727 words bartleby. The magic barrel homework help questions what depictions in the setting suggest that the magic barrel is a fantasy story. Israel online bernard malamuds the magic barrel is the classic modern story portraying the shadchan as a con artist. Project muse fish and the book of tobit in malamuds the. The magic barrel begins with the introduction of leo finkle, who is twentyseven and in search of a suitable wife, to pinye salzman, who has advertised his services as a matchmaker in a. However, when leo goes to salzman s apartment, he realizes that there is no barrel in sight. The magic barrel summary summary comprehensive guide to short stories, critical edition the magic barrel begins with the introduction of leo finkle, who is twentyseven and in search of a suitable wife, to pinye salzman, who has advertised his services as a matchmaker in a local jewish newspaper. Although not an outright supernatural tale, the magic barrel has. Thus approached, the story becomes more dramatic and ingenious.
But even though we can discount the reality of the magic barrel, we cant discount its symbolic import. Excerpt from the magic barrel salzman boasts to finkle that he has so many clients that he has to keep their cards in a barrel at his office. It is a reference to salzmans lie about having so many cards for eligible women that he had to put them in a barrel in his office. This is one of malamuds common themes that has shown up in other short stories such as, the magic barrel. Finkles desire, salzmans daughter stella, nor, indeed, finkle himself nor any. Analysis of salzman in the magic barrel schoolworkhelper. Plainly salzman s briefcase is the magic barrel, providing first an endless number of possible brides for leo finkle, and then yielding, as if from a mysterious compartment, the special girl, stella. Project muse fish and the book of tobit in malamuds. Leo has spent six years in the study, with no time for developing a social life. It is a reference to salzman s lie about having so many cards for eligible women that he had to put them in a barrel in his office. The irony of the fact that barrels suggest chance, but the matchmaker is the one who claims to utilize a magic barrel there is no magic barrel what is the central theme of the text. When leo is in his gimme a wife so i can be a good family man rabbi phase, he sees salzman as merely a salesman. Ah, but with magical realism, leo himself reached in salzmans barrel, and what he. Pinye is a marriage broker and one of the few friends of leo finkle.
In the story leo finkle, an unmarried rabbinical student more familiar with books than with life, has been advised that he will find it easier to land a pulpit if he is married. Leo was supposed to be one step closer to finding out what is hidden about salzman, but instead after he returned to his apartment, he was more shocked by how the man knew exactly where to be at that time. Malamud draws many parallels between pinye salzman and an angel through the use of imagery. This was the basis of the story and a main point in what we knew about the mystical salesman of people. These characterization details are best summarized as what the magic barrel a. From the author of the natural comes a classic short story about a young rabbinical student and his fateful encounter with an enigmatic matchmaker. Lily hirshorn is clearly enamored of the spirituality she.
In hopes that being married may help him win over a congregation, finkle solicits the help of a marriage broker by the name of pinye salzman. The magic barrel not long ago there lived in uptown new york, in a small. Leo has spent six years in study, with no time for developing a social life. Pinye salzman is the marriage broker employed by the rabbinical student leo finkle to find him a suitable bride. Of the three main characters, stella is the least developed. Everything he does is explicable in naturalistic terms. He summarizes the attractions of three young women to finkle, listing their age, appearance. Pinyne has brought with himself a portfolio, which includes six potential brides drawn from his magic barrel. Discussion of themes and motifs in bernard malamuds the magic barrel.
The magic barrel, written by bernard malamud in 1954, follows the story of leo finkle, a reclusive rabbinical student, as he enlists the help of matchmaker pinye salzman in finding an appropriate. Jan, 2020 in bernard malamuds short story, the magic barrel, a rabbinical student, leo finkle, is in search of a suitable wife to help him get a congregation before he becomes a rabbi. The drawers are already filled to the top, so i keep them now in a barrel. However, he has a hard time doing this because leo doesn. The magic barrel begins with the introduction of leo finkle, who is twentyseven and in search of a suitable wife, to pinye salzman, who has advertised his services as a matchmaker in a local jewish newspaper. An analysis of the magic barrel bernard malamuds short story the magic barrel takes place in uptown new york and is centered around leo finkle, a rabbinical student who is about to be ordained. Leo finkle has spent the last six years studying to become a rabbi at new yorks yeshivah university. The magic barrel by bernard malamud english literature. Because hes so focused on his studies, and because an acquaintance suggested that he might find it easier to win himself a congregation if he were married, 1 he decides to get the services of a matchmaker. Leo is the complete opposite of pinye in almost every. It is the story set in america with the jew character leo finkle at the center. Being written in rather simple and understandable way, the magic barrel however touches such complicated issues as religion, mens belief, the recognition of the person of his place and eternal topics of the opposition of god and the devil in the background of human hesitations.