“The Natural” by Bernard Malamud is a classic novel that has been widely read and analyzed for decades. The novel tells the story of Roy Hobbs, a baseball player who is trying to make a comeback after suffering a setback in his career. While the story is entertaining and engaging on its own, it is also an allegory for the human experience.
Allegory is a literary device that uses characters, events, and settings to represent abstract ideas or themes. In “The Natural,” Malamud uses baseball as an allegory for life, exploring themes such as ambition, success, and the corrupting influence of power. Through the character of Roy Hobbs, Malamud shows how the pursuit of success can lead to both triumph and tragedy, and how the choices we make can have lasting consequences.
Bernard Malamud and “The Natural”
Author Background
Bernard Malamud was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1914 to Russian-Jewish immigrants. He studied at City College of New York and later at Columbia University where he earned his Master’s degree in English. Malamud began his writing career as a teacher and later became a professor of English. He is known for his works that explore Jewish-American life and culture.
Historical Context
“The Natural” was published in 1952, a time when baseball was a popular sport in America. It was also a time when the country was recovering from World War II and the Korean War was ongoing. The book was written during the Cold War and the fear of communism was prevalent in American society.
Overview of “The Natural”
“The Natural” is a novel that follows the story of Roy Hobbs, a baseball prodigy whose career is derailed by a gunshot wound. The book explores themes of corruption, greed, and the American Dream. The story is set in the 1930s and 1940s and depicts the struggles of a man trying to achieve success in a world that is not always fair. The book has been praised for its use of allegory to depict the struggle between good and evil, and the importance of maintaining one’s integrity in the face of temptation.
Allegorical Elements in “The Natural”
Roy Hobbs as a Heroic Figure
In “The Natural,” Bernard Malamud uses Roy Hobbs as a representation of a heroic figure. Hobbs is a talented baseball player who is idolized by many. He represents the ideal of a hero, with his strength, courage, and determination. Hobbs’ journey in the novel is a reflection of the journey of a hero. He faces many obstacles, but he perseveres and ultimately triumphs. His success is not only a victory for himself but also for the greater good. Hobbs’ character embodies the idea of a hero, and his journey is a reflection of the hero’s journey.
Baseball as a Symbol of Life
Baseball is a central theme in “The Natural,” and it serves as a symbol of life. The game of baseball is a metaphor for life, with its ups and downs, victories and defeats, and the constant struggle to succeed. The game is a reflection of the human experience, with its challenges and triumphs. Malamud uses baseball as a way to explore the human condition and the struggles that we all face. The game of baseball is a reminder that life is not always fair, but it is up to us to persevere and overcome the challenges that come our way.
The Fisher King Myth
Malamud incorporates elements of the Fisher King myth into “The Natural.” The Fisher King is a figure from Arthurian legend who is wounded and unable to rule his kingdom. The kingdom suffers as a result of his wounds, and only a hero can heal him. In “The Natural,” Roy Hobbs is the hero who is tasked with healing the wounded kingdom of baseball. The game of baseball is suffering from corruption and scandal, and it is up to Hobbs to restore its honor and integrity. The Fisher King myth is a powerful allegory for the human condition, and Malamud uses it to explore the themes of redemption and renewal in “The Natural.”
Character Analysis and Symbolism
Roy Hobbs’ Character Development
Throughout the novel, Roy Hobbs’ character undergoes significant development. Initially, he is portrayed as a young, naive, and ambitious baseball player who wants to become the best in the game. However, after being shot by Harriet Bird, his character changes. He becomes more introspective, and his priorities shift from just winning to understanding himself and his place in the world. This transformation is evident in his decision to turn down the offer from the Judge to throw the game and his decision to leave Memo Paris and baseball behind to pursue a simpler life.
Supporting Characters and Their Roles
The supporting characters in The Natural play significant roles in shaping Roy Hobbs’ character and the overall plot. Iris Lemon, for example, is a symbol of purity and goodness. She is the only person who truly understands Roy and accepts him for who he is. On the other hand, Memo Paris represents temptation and destruction. Her presence in Roy’s life leads to his downfall, both in his personal and professional life. Other characters, such as Pop Fisher, Bump Bailey, and Max Mercy, also play important roles in the story’s development.
Symbolic Objects and Events
Symbolism is a crucial element in The Natural, and it is evident in the various objects and events that occur throughout the novel. Wonderboy, Roy’s bat, is a symbol of his strength and power. Its destruction represents Roy’s loss of innocence and his realization that he is not invincible. The lightning strike that hits the tree in the beginning of the novel represents Roy’s arrival and foreshadows the events that will follow. The shooting by Harriet Bird is also a significant event that represents Roy’s loss of innocence and his transition from a naive young man to a more mature and introspective person.
Themes and Motifs
The American Dream
One of the central themes in “The Natural” is the American Dream. Roy Hobbs, the protagonist, embodies the idea of the American Dream through his pursuit of success and fame in baseball. However, the novel also explores the darker side of the American Dream, as Roy’s desire for success leads him down a path of corruption and betrayal. The American Dream is presented as a double-edged sword, capable of both inspiring and corrupting those who pursue it.
Fall from Grace
Another prominent theme in “The Natural” is the idea of a fall from grace. Roy’s journey from a promising young baseball player to a disillusioned and embittered has-been is a classic example of this theme. The novel explores the idea that success is fleeting and that even the most talented individuals can fall from grace. This theme is reinforced through the use of biblical allusions, such as Roy’s comparison to the biblical figure Samson, who falls from grace due to his own weaknesses.
Nature vs. Artificiality
The motif of nature vs. artificiality is a recurring theme in “The Natural”. The novel portrays the natural world as pure and authentic, while the artificial world of baseball is portrayed as corrupt and deceitful. This motif is exemplified through Roy’s relationship with Memo Paris, a character who represents the artificiality of the baseball world. The novel suggests that the pursuit of success and fame can lead individuals to sacrifice their connection to the natural world, ultimately leading to their downfall.
Literary Devices
Foreshadowing and Irony
Malamud’s use of foreshadowing and irony in The Natural adds depth to the story and helps to convey the themes of fate and the corrupting influence of power. For example, the opening scene of the novel, in which Roy Hobbs is shot by a mysterious woman, foreshadows the struggles and setbacks he will face throughout his career. Similarly, the irony of Hobbs’ rise to fame and fortune, only to be brought down by his own hubris and the corruption of the game, highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition.
Imagery and Metaphors
Throughout The Natural, Malamud employs vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the themes of beauty, purity, and corruption. For example, the descriptions of Hobbs’ batting style, with its “natural” fluidity and grace, evoke images of a majestic bird in flight. Similarly, the recurring image of the “Wonderboy” bat, with its almost mythical powers, serves as a metaphor for the seductive allure of success and the corrupting influence of fame and fortune. By using these powerful literary devices, Malamud creates a rich and complex narrative that resonates with readers long after they have finished the book.
Critical Reception and Interpretations
Initial Reception
Upon its publication in 1952, Bernard Malamud’s novel, The Natural, received mixed reviews. While some critics praised the novel’s themes of heroism and morality, others criticized its use of baseball as a metaphor for life. Despite these initial reviews, the novel went on to become a classic of American literature and has been adapted into a successful film and stage play.
Modern Critiques
In recent years, The Natural has been the subject of renewed critical attention. Some scholars have focused on the novel’s use of allegory and symbolism, arguing that it reflects larger themes of American society and culture. Others have examined the novel’s treatment of race and gender, noting its limitations in these areas. Overall, modern critiques of The Natural have been mixed, with some scholars praising its enduring relevance and others questioning its place in the canon of American literature.
Comparative Literature
One area of critical interest in The Natural is its relationship to other works of literature. Some scholars have noted similarities between The Natural and other baseball novels, such as Mark Harris’s Bang the Drum Slowly, while others have drawn connections to classic works of literature, such as Arthurian legends. These comparative readings offer new insights into the novel’s themes and motifs, as well as its place in the broader literary tradition.