American Pastoral

Introduction

"American Pastoral" is a novel by Philip Roth, published in 1997. The novel is set in Newark, New Jersey during the 1960s and explores themes such as American identity, the American Dream, and the social upheavals of the era. The novel follows the life of Seymour "Swede" Levov, a successful businessman and former high school athlete who is devastated when his daughter becomes involved in a violent protest movement.

Plot Summary

The novel begins with the narrator, Nathan Zuckerman, attending his high school reunion and reconnecting with his old classmate, Seymour "Swede" Levov. The novel then flashes back to Levov's youth, where he is depicted as a talented athlete and popular student. Levov marries a former beauty queen, Dawn Dwyer, and takes over his father's glove factory, becoming a successful businessman.

Levov's life is turned upside down when his daughter, Merry, becomes involved in a radical political group and plants a bomb in a local post office, killing a bystander. Levov is devastated by his daughter's actions and struggles to come to terms with the fact that the daughter he knew has become a violent extremist.

The novel follows Levov's attempts to understand his daughter's radicalization, his struggles with his own identity and the changing social landscape of America in the 1960s, and his efforts to reconcile with his daughter.

Themes of Identity and the American Dream

One of the central themes of "American Pastoral" is the idea of identity and the American Dream. Levov embodies the American Dream, having risen from humble beginnings to become a successful businessman and athlete. However, his daughter's radicalization challenges his understanding of his own identity and the role of the American Dream in shaping his life.

The novel explores the tension between the idealized version of America and the reality of social and political upheaval. Roth examines the ways in which American identity is constructed and how this construction is challenged by external factors such as war, civil unrest, and personal tragedy.

The Role of Narrative and Memory

"American Pastoral" is narrated by Nathan Zuckerman, who serves as both a character in the novel and the novel's narrator. Through Zuckerman's perspective, the novel explores the nature of memory and the ways in which memory shapes personal and national identity.

Zuckerman is portrayed as an unreliable narrator, struggling to understand and represent the complexities of Levov's life and the events surrounding his daughter's radicalization. The novel raises questions about the role of narrative in constructing identity and the limitations of memory in understanding the past.

The Significance of Setting

The novel is set in Newark, New Jersey during the 1960s, a time of significant social and political upheaval in America. The setting serves as a backdrop for the novel's exploration of identity, the American Dream, and the tensions between different social groups.

The novel examines the ways in which social and economic inequality manifest in different parts of Newark, and the impact of these inequalities on the lives of the characters. Through its setting, the novel offers a nuanced and complex portrayal of America during a time of great change.

Characters and Characterization

"American Pastoral" features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique perspectives and experiences. Levov is portrayed as a complex and conflicted character, torn between his loyalty to his daughter and his own sense of responsibility.

Merry, Levov's daughter, is depicted as a troubled and passionate young woman, struggling