“Fear presides over these memories, a perpetual fear. Of course no childhood is without its terrors, yet I wonder if I would have been a less frightened boy if Lindbergh hadn't been president or if I hadn't been the offspring of Jews.” (Roth, 1)
The Plot against America by Phillip Roth is a story of what it was like for the Roth family and Jews across the country, when an American aviator Charles Lindbergh was elected as the president of the United States. The following excerpt, reveals the psychological state of Philip Roth and how he perceives his childhood. The author begins his story describing the never ending fear of his haunting memories. He questions the uncontrollable factors of his life, such as the election of Lindbergh and being born Jewish. Since the beginning of the book, it is apparent that Charles Lindbergh, who blamed the Jews for propelling America towards a war with Nazi Germany, is the main cause for conflict throughout the narration. As Phillip expresses that “Lindbergh was the first living American whom I learned to hate” he demonstrates his standing point on the issue discussed throughout the book. (Roth, 7) In this excerpt, the author
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Reading this novel, the author suggests that people will always see things in their own way, as if it’s part of human nature. For example, many questioned why Hitler hated the Jews so much when he was partly Jewish himself. In the story, Rabbi Bengelsdorf, who is Jewish, believed that "the development of American ideals" was to the upmost importance (Roth, 34). He shared similar views as Charles Lindbergh, believing that those who cling on to their Jewish background must be repressed and “Americanized”. Philip Roth rewrites history, depicting the actions of human nature and how is effected not only the Roth family, but the whole American