Goodbye Columbus Character Analysis

Goodbye Columbus
In this novella distributed 1959, one of Philip Roth's finest works of fiction, the protagonist Neil Klugman is involved in a struggle to create and protect his integrity in the midst of various situations and opposing desires inside himself. During story he in a relationship with Brenda Patimkin and tries to discover a role for himself in the society that coincide to what he sees as his own, exceptional self. In the process he loses Brenda, however he refuses to compromise and surrender what he views as his integrity. As a modern, liberal scholarly living in the traditionalist American culture of the 1950s, he identifies with a set of secular and rationalistic values that bring him into conflict with the world around him. …show more content…
She seems to do this both because she wants to be independent, but also because she is affected by Ron's upcoming marriage and begins to want the same thing for herself. For instance, she buys another dress which makes her look as beautiful as the bride, or considerably. It appears, Brenda doesn't mind seeing herself in the part of Ron's Harriet, an exquisite bride with an wealthy husband. Yet, she continues with Neil Klugman and goes to New York with him to get the diaphragm. He become excited about what he sees as Brenda's confirmation of their rebellious bond and fearful about the duties that lie in front of him now that their union is going to assume a more perpetual angle. His concern about Brenda and himself rises in his appear in St. Patrick's cathedral, where he looks for shelter while she is in the doctor's office: "Now the doctor is about to wed Brenda to me, and I am not entirely certain this is all for the best. What is it I love, Lord? Why have I chosen? Who is Brenda?" (p.100 …show more content…
It is not the district related with the parental era of Jews, however his own particular Newark, a place where he can preserve that he has struggled toward during this summer of lovemaking and taking his own measure against various temptations, absurdities, and illusions. He comes back to the library with a more prominent consciousness of its attractions and restrictions. It is, still, a foundation where culture, craftsmanship, and dreams are permitted, an area that has preserved a specific space for uniqueness and a measure of opportunity. It is just here that Neil may ensure and grow, however defectively, the character that is

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