The conclusion of Section Eight leaves the reader uncomfortably anticipating how Frank will continue his relationship with the Bobers and, consequently, how he will solve his quest for salvation. The rift between Morris and Frank seems irreparable. With great skill, however, Malamud interweaves resolutions for the painful destinies of Ward […]
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Section Seven ended with a sense of unresolved tension. Morris lies in the hospital but once home he will have to fire Frank and then face, in his weakened condition, the competition of Taast and Pederson. Helen must return to the frustration of her job and her loneliness, with little […]
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Despite its large number of scenes, Section Seven contains a rather small amount of action. It reveals an uncomfortable stabilization of various relationships after Morris catches Frank stealing from the shop and after Frank rapes Helen. In a sense, this section is a kind of purgatory for the main characters, […]
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The sudden growth of Helen’s love for Frank brings many already — established themes into new conjunctions. Helen’s acceptance of Frank changes her as well as Frank, and a sense of healing permeates their relationship. Their dreams of college for Frank continue, and Helen’s dream of a near-idyllic future for […]
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This section explores the beginnings of love between Frank and Helen by showing us the awkwardness of their respective situations and the difficulties of rapprochement: Frank is a gentile, Helen a Jew; Frank is a clerk, Helen the boss’ daughter. The improvement in Morris’ business creates a certain relaxation and […]
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Morris’ decision to permit Frank to continue working after Morris is well enough to return to work provides opportunities for deepening relationships between Frank and Morris, and between Frank and Helen. Again, Malamud focuses on the conflicts within Frank, illuminating them by comparisons and contrasts to Morris and Helen. Ida […]
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In this section, Malamud reveals conflicts and incipient changes in Frank’s character through his involvement in the grocery store and through the complexities of his growing interest in Helen. As Frank manages the store under Ida’s reluctant guidance, he shows much competence and initiative, as well as general perceptiveness and […]
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The lives of Frank Alpine and Morris Bober cross accidentally; knowing nothing about each other, one is a somewhat reluctant criminal and the other, a pathetic victim. But they begin slowly to establish a relationship which is similar to that of son and father, a relationship that develops in to […]
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Frank Alpine, the protagonist of the novel, does not appear until the very end of Section One, when he and Ward Minogue hold up Morris Bober’s grocery store. Section One introduces the impoverished world of Morris Bober, which will soon prove to be both a trap and an agent for […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 1Character List
Frank Alpine The protagonist; his regeneration organizes the plot; twenty-five years old. Helen Bober The only living child of Morris and Ida Bober; a love object to Frank Alpine; twenty-three years old. Morris Bober The owner of a small, failing grocery store; he is largely responsible for the regeneration of […]
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