I was teaching Goodbye, Columbus yet again, and this time around was overcome by p 100, the 2/3 point of the text. I can’t stop thinking about it. Neil Klugman and Brenda Patmkin, youth in love, both Jewish (that matters to what follows), go into Manhattan to get the diaphragm that comes between them (the novel is great to discuss with learning writers, as the whole is ingenious and the moving parts are obvious) and while he is waiting for her to be finished with the appointment, he wanders down Fifth Avenue and pops into St. Patrick’s Cathedral, tourist attraction that it is, where he proceeds to have something that feels very much like a religious experience, though it's spangled with resistance all the way. That’s our Philip!
Alice, what a beautiful post. Especially this: How do we know when to stop wanting other people to do what we want them to do, how do we recognize the soul among the glitter?
I didn’t think anyone was teaching Roth these days. So glad you are. I’ve read almost all of his work. Was always taken with the certainty and authority. What you pinpoint here speaks to that; even his rhetorical questions are not really rhetorical. Next level. I’m curious what your students make of it.
How I wish I were in your class, Alice! The mix of learning writing skills, reflection, and deep-dive discussion would be a gift. Your final sentence, the message of the season - that's it's not all about us - coupled with the image of a full moon and icicles was a soul-filling lift.
I’ve never read it, but now I will. And I have to comment on the Wyeth’s; I love him too. The dog on the bed hangs in our house, along with others. So perfect.
I want to be in your class. I will read this again, but I remember when I did, as someone deep-fried in Catholicism, I thought he should have gone to Catholic school and he'd have wondered about this every day. So brilliant.
I read this right after reading Hannah Gold’s essay in Harper’s - a perfect antidote! The essay is beautifully done but there’s no love for Roth or his fans there, just a kind of regretful admiration. You speak so beautifully to what there is in his work for those who wish to hear it.
Just got Goodbye, Columbus from my library. You did a mitzvah.
Alice, what a beautiful post. Especially this: How do we know when to stop wanting other people to do what we want them to do, how do we recognize the soul among the glitter?
I didn’t think anyone was teaching Roth these days. So glad you are. I’ve read almost all of his work. Was always taken with the certainty and authority. What you pinpoint here speaks to that; even his rhetorical questions are not really rhetorical. Next level. I’m curious what your students make of it.
How I wish I were in your class, Alice! The mix of learning writing skills, reflection, and deep-dive discussion would be a gift. Your final sentence, the message of the season - that's it's not all about us - coupled with the image of a full moon and icicles was a soul-filling lift.
I’ve never read it, but now I will. And I have to comment on the Wyeth’s; I love him too. The dog on the bed hangs in our house, along with others. So perfect.
Such a wise and deep consideration of a single page you've offered here. Now the whole novel merits a re-read. Thank you, as always.
I want to be in your class. I will read this again, but I remember when I did, as someone deep-fried in Catholicism, I thought he should have gone to Catholic school and he'd have wondered about this every day. So brilliant.
I am going to that page immediately! If I could, I would memorize the entire book. 💕
I love this, Alice, and I love Roth, but I have not read Goodbye, Columbus! Getting it now. Why read anything else?
I read this right after reading Hannah Gold’s essay in Harper’s - a perfect antidote! The essay is beautifully done but there’s no love for Roth or his fans there, just a kind of regretful admiration. You speak so beautifully to what there is in his work for those who wish to hear it.
Thank you; I have to admit I have read very little Roth and never Goodbye. It just went on the list.
This makes me want to read it again. I first read it approximately 60 years ago and surely it would be a different experience now. Thanks, Alice