Anti-Semitism revealed in Gentleman's Agreement

Extract

[...] This is most clearly seen in when he goes to Flume Inn, a high class and anti-Semitic hotel: Manager: Are you . that is, do you follow the Hebrew religion yourself or is it just that you want to make sure. Phil: I have asked a simple question. I'd like simple answer. Manager: Well, we do have a very high-class clientele, and well, naturally . Phil: Then you do restrict your guests to Gentiles? Manager: Well, I wouldn't say that, Mr. [...]

[...] Greeen: You mean there is enough anti-Semetism in real life without people reading it? Phil: No, but this one is doomed before I start. What could I possibly say that hasn't been said before? Mrs. Green: I don't know. Maybe it hasn't been said well enough. If ith had, you wouldn't have had to explain it to Tommy, or your father and I to you. It would be nice sometime not to have to explain it to someone like Tommy. [...]

[...] eased in the context of relocation and mother and son cooperative in not revealing identity. He himself narrates how easy passing will be due to newer location where he is not known: “I'll be Jewish. I'll—Well, all I got to do is say it. Nobody knows me around here. I can just say it. I can live it myself for six weeks, eighth weeks, nine months. Ma, it's right this time. I can just tell them that I am, and see what happens. [...]

[...] Then we see him contemplating alone in his lunch break (13th minute) All the principles of the traditional passing plot, the secrecy, the motivation and its change throughout the passing plot generated by the long duration of passing, the eliciting of social responses with the new identity, and coming to emote as the new identity set the stage for the communicating of the ultimate vision in the movie. Phil, now changed, and as man concerned deeply about religious tolerance is apt to reveal sympathy in how he comes to use language. [...]