The I-Thou Philosophy In Malamud’s Works

Bernard Malamud is an outstanding Jewish American writer in the twentieth century. His works expound interpersonal relations profoundly, echoing Martin Buber’s I-Thou philosophy to a large extent. The thesis attempts to interpret Malamud’s three novels, The Assistant, The Fixer and The Tenants by using the I-Thou philosophy. Based on a review of Malamudian study at home and abroad, this thesis interprets both the features of I-Thou relationship and I-It relationship and then makes an analysis of the flexibility to interpret Malamud’s works with I-Thou philosophy. In I-It relationship, people and things that "I" meet are all objects, which are used to reach "my" purposes, while in I-Thou relationship, both are in an equal dialogical relationship and both sides approach each other with their whole beings, rather than manipulate each other.On the above basis, the thesis first analyzes the relationships between individuals, between an individual and a nation and between nations appearing in The Assistant, The Fixer and The Tenants, indicating that all of the three novels share a common leitmotif of pursuing for I-Thou relationship. These novels reflect that only in I-Thou relationship can one realize the value of life, obtain the spiritual peace and freedom, and can different nations coexist and complement each other, while in I-It relationship, interpersonal relationship becomes increasingly indifferent and alienated. Then, it analyzes the father-son and suffering motifs in the three novels, showing that there are two ways leading the heroes from I-It world to I-Thou world in Malamud’s works. One way is to find a right spiritual father and the other is to have a correct understanding and use of suffering. Last, it probes into the formation of Malamud’s idea of "all men are Jews" from the aspects of Jewish history and multiple identities, etc. He extends the quest for I-Thou relationship to everyone, hoping that an ideal community, i.e., the I-Thou community, can be established through the joint effort of human beings. The connection between the Jewish cultural motif and I-Thou relationship reflects Malamud’s special feelings for the Jewish nation and the connection between the idea of "all men are Jews" and I-Thou relationship reveals his humanistic concern for the whole body of mankind.