On The Transcendence Of Jewishness In Philip Roth’s Patrimony

The Jewishness is the fundamental identification of the Jewish literature and thededuction of the ethnic culture in the Jewish literature. The essence of it is that thesubject in the process of creating productions directly and indirectly undertakesparticular processing and uses powerful expression towards the Jewish culturalelements and historical resources. Therefore, the production presents an integratedJewish temperament, which is a distinguished Jewish attribute compared with otherculture.1This paper reveals the transcendence of the Jewishness in three aspects: the first isthe father and son’s motif, the second is suffering and sacrifice, and the third isregression of the Jewish identity.In the first chapter, father-son-relationship is a traditional Jewish motif. Theprototype of “father” stem from the God Father in Bible. The relationship between the fatherand son usually presents instruction and obedience, which is more likely to be contrary. Inthis biography, the author extends this theme by emphasizing the affection, exhibitingtheir harmonious relationship.The second chapter mainly analyzes the suffering theme, which is deeply rooted intheir religion faith. His father never abandons himself, but bravely fights withdifficulties and actively faces the life, whose image undoubtedly develops the sufferingtheme.The third chapter takes “The Hanson’s Law” to analyze the evolution of the Jewishidentity. That theory indicates that the third generation unlike their former generation showingtheir treason and disgust is more likely to return to their Jewish tradition. The concentration ofthe author at his early period is on the identity bewilderment, which is on behalf of the secondgeneration, while in this biography more recognition of Jewish identity has been perceivedand Philip Roth changes to be the representative of the third generation. All of that reflectsthat Philip Roth keeps the pace with the times.In conclusion, the meaning of Jewishness in this book does not only indicate rebellion orthe scrupulous inherence. The author stands in a higher level to oversee the Jewishness, whichis the acknowledgment of the tradition, the tolerance of the religion and also the regression ofthe ethnic spirits. Humanity and the deep love is what can be detected by the reader. From thebook the author gives a good interpretation of how to face the death of the family members and how to adopt active attitude towards it, which are universal issues. Philip Roth not onlyenriches the manifestation and sublimates the ideology of the traditional theme, but reflectsthe transcendence of the Jewishness.