"The Magic Barrel" is a short story written by Bernard Malamud, first published in 1954. The story revolves around Leo Finkle, a rabbinical student who seeks the services of a marriage broker in an effort to find a wife. The main idea of the story explores themes of identity, love, and the search for meaning. Leo Finkle is a character deeply rooted in his studies, lacking experience with women and the outside world. This lack of connection leads him to consult a marriage broker, Pinye Salzman, to find a suitable wife. Salzman presents Leo with a series of potential matches, but none meet his expectations.
“In the short story, Malamud achieved an almost psalmlike compression. He has been called the Jewish Hawthorne, but he might just as well be thought a Jewish Chopin, a prose composer of preludes and noctures.” —Mark Shechner, Partisan Review
The stories are set in New York and in Italy where Malamud s alter ego, the struggleing New York Jewish Painter Arthur Fidelman, roams amid the ruins of old Europe in search of his artistic patrimony ; they tell of egg candlers and shoemakers, matchmakers, and rabbis, in a voice that blends vigorous urban realism, Yiddish idiom, and a dash of artistic magic. Encyclopaedia Britannica s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.
Salzman presents Leo with a series of potential matches, but none meet his expectations. Leo becomes disillusioned and questions the process, feeling that true love cannot be found through such a transactional method. During his search, Leo encounters Salzman's own daughter, Lily.
The magic barrel by bernard malamud
A night of food, drink, music,
and readings by writers in the PNW
r aising funds to fight hunger in our area.
Tickets on sale soon.
READINGS
Readings by Oregon authors, with autographed books for sale by Grass Roots Books and Music.
FOOD&DRINK
Wine, beer, and cider available for purchase, with proceeds going to benefit Stone Soup
LIVE MUSIC
Live music before the program and during intermission.
The Magic Barrel raises fund s for Stone Soup.
The Mid-Willamette Valley’s premier literary event, The Magic Barrel: A Reading to Fight Hunger, is held each fall in Corvallis, Oregon, to raise funds to fight hunger in our area. This unique event which began in 1993 is named after Bernard Malamud’s story by that title, The Magic Barrel, and features writers from around Oregon sharing their fiction, poetry, and works of nonfiction in brief readings.
The evening begins and ends with live music, beer, and wine, with all proceeds benefiting Stone Soup. The audience enjoys readings by novelists, poets, short story writers, and nonfiction writers. Courtesy of Corvallis’ local bookstore Grass Roots Books and Music, the authors’ books are made available to buy at the event, with all proceeds donated to Stone Soup.
The event is supported by a major contribution from the OSU Center for the Humanities at Oregon State University, where Malamud once taught, and is organized by a group of Corvallis writers and readers.
The Magic Barrel is sponsored by the
She is a troubled individual, torn between her desires and her father's expectations. Lily becomes infatuated with Leo and reveals her true self by taking him to a midnight rendezvous at a bar known as "The Magic Barrel." Leo is initially repulsed by Lily's actions and hides his identity as a rabbinical student. However, as the events unfold, Leo realizes that he is also in search of his own identity and the meaning of true love. As Leo spends time with Lily and engages in conversations with her, he starts to question his preconceived notions and finds common ground with her. In this process, Leo begins to shed his rigid and religious beliefs, finding a new understanding of what it means to be human and to connect with others. Throughout the story, the concept of love is portrayed as magical and transformative. The magic barrel represents the uncertainty and mystery of human relationships. It symbolizes the unknown, yet enticing possibilities that await Leo. The story ultimately demonstrates that true love cannot be found through a broker or a transaction; it is an elusive force that can only be discovered through personal experience, self-reflection, and the willingness to take risks. "The Magic Barrel" is a poignant exploration of the human condition, delving into the complexities of identity, love, and the search for meaning. It highlights the transformative power of connection and the need for individuals to venture beyond their comfort zones to find their true selves..
Reviews for "The Symbolism of Light and Darkness in "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud"
1. John - 2 stars - I really didn't enjoy "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud. The characters felt flat and uninteresting, and the storyline was predictable. I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters or feel invested in their struggles. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural at times, making it hard for me to immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing read.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was confusing and hard to follow, with long, convoluted sentences that left me feeling lost. The plot lacked any real substance and failed to hold my interest. I struggled to find any meaningful themes or messages in the story, and I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed. I cannot recommend this book to others.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The characters were unrelatable and their actions seemed arbitrary. The pacing of the story was slow and did not keep me engaged. Additionally, the use of symbolism felt heavy-handed and forced. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and it did not meet my expectations.
4. Emily - 2 stars - "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud was not my cup of tea. The prose felt overly dense and verbose, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth and development, and I found it hard to care about their struggles. The ending also felt rushed and unsatisfying. While I can appreciate the author's attempt to explore themes of redemption and identity, it did not resonate with me.