In this paper I would like to explore how the Jewish tradition is represented in modern Jewish American feminist women’s fiction. I chose as examples Marge Piercy’s novel “He, She and It” and Cynthia Ozick’s story “ Putermesser and Xanthippe” from “The Putermesser Papers”.
The attitude towards Judaism has changed significantly since the beginning of immigrant women’s writing at the threshold of the 20th century when writers like Anzia Yezierska or Mary Antin began new lives in the New World. In order to enter the American society and become successful they seemed to have no choice but to completely shed their Jewish roots, get rid of their Yiddish accent (at least in writing) and also part with the Jewish way of thinking. Especially as women, they received unheard-of opportunities in the New World; they wanted to become American as quickly as possible and the new identity required getting rid of the old.
Judaism was out of fashion not only in literature but in general – according to Hasja Diner, in the late 1920’s, 80 percent of young Jews living in New York had no knowledge of Hebrew letters and no religious training. (344).
Beginning with the second half of the 20th century till today the development seems to go in the direction of embracing one’s heritage.
Table of Contents
1. Blending future and past - Jewish tradition and feminism in contemporary American-Jewish women’s writing.
Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the representation of Jewish tradition within modern Jewish-American feminist women's fiction, specifically focusing on the intersection of religious heritage and feminist identity. The core research question addresses how contemporary female authors reconcile a traditionally patriarchal religious framework with feminist principles through literary creation.
- Evolution of Jewish identity in American literature
- Representation of women in sacred texts and tradition
- The role of the Golem in feminist reinterpretation
- Language as a vessel for Jewish identity and religious connection
- Marge Piercy and Cynthia Ozick as case studies
Excerpt from the Book
Blending future and past - Jewish tradition and feminism in contemporary American-Jewish women’s writing.
In this paper I would like to explore how the Jewish tradition is represented in modern Jewish American feminist women’s fiction. I chose as examples Marge Piercy’s novel “He, She and It” and Cynthia Ozick’s story “ Putermesser and Xanthippe” from “The Putermesser Papers”.
The attitude towards Judaism has changed significantly since the beginning of immigrant women’s writing at the threshold of the 20th century when writers like Anzia Yezierska or Mary Antin began new lives in the New World. In order to enter the American society and become successful they seemed to have no choice but to completely shed their Jewish roots, get rid of their Yiddish accent (at least in writing) and also part with the Jewish way of thinking. Especially as women, they received unheard-of opportunities in the New World; they wanted to become American as quickly as possible and the new identity required getting rid of the old.
Beginning with the second half of the 20th century till today the development seems to go in the direction of embracing one’s heritage. The attitude towards the “old country” became completely different. In order to be a “genuine” American it is not necessary anymore to get rid of the “old” identity completely. The whole notion of being an American has changed. According to Louis Harap: ”One of the changes in postwar American literature has been the turn to religion of one sort or other by some Jewish writers”. (353)
Summary of Chapters
Blending future and past - Jewish tradition and feminism in contemporary American-Jewish women’s writing.: The paper examines the shifting literary landscape for Jewish-American women, tracing the move from assimilationist tendencies of the early 20th century toward a re-embrace of Jewish heritage through a feminist lens.
Keywords
Jewish tradition, feminism, American-Jewish literature, Marge Piercy, Cynthia Ozick, Golem, Hebrew language, identity, gender roles, Kabbalah, matrilineal descent, Jewish Renewal, assimilation, sacred texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how contemporary Jewish-American women writers, specifically Marge Piercy and Cynthia Ozick, integrate Jewish religious tradition and feminist ideology within their fictional works.
Which key thematic areas are analyzed?
The analysis covers the evolution of the Jewish-American immigrant identity, the historical exclusion of women from sacred scholarship, the symbolic use of the Golem myth, and the reclamation of the Hebrew language as a tool for feminist expression.
What is the central research question?
The study explores how it is possible to maintain a feminist identity while working within a cultural and religious heritage that has traditionally marginalized women.
What methodology is employed in this study?
The author uses a literary analysis methodology, comparing character motivations and thematic developments in Piercy’s "He, She and It" and Ozick’s "The Putermesser Papers" against historical and critical discourse on Jewish tradition.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main sections discuss the historical context of Jewish women’s writing, the shift from Yiddish to Hebrew, the subversion of the Golem legend to empower female protagonists, and the reconstruction of Jewish identity through a feminist framework.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Primary keywords include Jewish tradition, feminism, American-Jewish literature, the Golem myth, Hebrew language, and cultural identity.
How does the author interpret the role of the Golem in the selected novels?
The author suggests that the Golem is transformed from a traditional male-dominated tool of protection into a symbol of female autonomy and resistance against patriarchal control.
What significance does the Hebrew language hold for the characters discussed?
Hebrew is portrayed not only as a religious relic but as a "unifying substratum" that connects Jewish women to their heritage, offering a means of intellectual empowerment previously reserved for men.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Alina Polyak (Autor:in), 2006, Blending future and past -Jewish tradition and feminism in contemporary American-Jewish women’s writing, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/75402
