Opening Remarks I Married a Communist Olivia Wilford CS 2367.08 March 10, 2017 Opening Remarks Source: Roth, Philip. I Married A Communist. Chpt. 1-4. p. 1-150. 1998. Characters: Murray Ringold Nathan's teacher and mentor Lost job because of Red Scare and was forced to earn a living selling vacuums Nathan Zuckerman writer young boy/man who looks up to Ringold brothers Ira Ringold married to Eve and Murray's younger brother Radio star-”Iron Rinn” Impersonated Abraham Lincoln Johnny O’Day army buddy of Ira’s Taught Ira how to read and write Eve Frame former silent movie star Marries Ira Daugher Sylphid Self-hating Jew (born Chava Fromkin) Summary: I Married a Communist by Philip Roth is a novel about the life of communist Ira …show more content…
"As a Communist," says Murray, "[Ira] should be irritated by her from the first second. So what explains this marriage with her and not with a comrade?" [p. 82]. Eve and Sylphid: The relationship between this mother and daughter is toxic. Eve’s daughter is controlling of her mother and because of this she is able to control everyone in her life including Ira. Nathan and his father: Nathan’s relationship with his father begins to become strained the closer Nathan gets to Ira. Ira and Sylphid: As hard as Ira tries to connect and be “fatherly” to Sylphid he is not able to gain a positive relationship with her. Ira dislikes the way Sylphid manipulates Eve and disrespects her as well as himself. Nathan and Sylphid: These two sit next to each other at a dinner party and Sylphid manages to leave a large impression on Nathan. He finds it hard to believe she could be as mean as Ira says because she is so helpful to him during dinner. Quotes: “And talking about books as though something were at stake in a book. Not opening up a book to worship it or to be elevated by it or to lose yourself to the world around you. No, boxing with the book” (p …show more content…
Reaction and Discussion Questions: This book really shows the personal relationship complications that can arise from politics. Nathan as a teen and into adulthood tries to discover as much about history and politics as he can. In this process he finds himself agreeing more with Ira and agreeing less with his father. This brings up the topic of kids and their parents having differing political views and how this can affect their relationships. Nathan is enthusiastic about the Progressive Party but sees his father as someone who has made serious compromises politically? Was compromising necessary at the time? Was this for safety? Or for conformity? "As a Communist," says Murray, "[Ira] should be irritated by her from the first second. So what explains this marriage with her and not with a comrade? In the party, couldn't he have found somebody who supported him, who was together with him in the fight?" [p. 82]. How important do you think political affiliation is in a marriage? Is this is as necessary as Murray makes it seem? Is political conformity another component of