Good Bye, Columbus'-Brenda's Development, social life
One of the themes of social life in the contemporary times is family. Family is held in such high regard that in most songs and movies, the people who turn their backs on their families are considered villains. There is also an emphasis on love over money and freedom of expression. At the end of the day, people are expected to choose love over money among other ideals (Russell 51). This view is challenged in the novel Goodbye, Columbus by Phillip Roth. This paper follows the development of the character Brenda Patimkin from a sweet open-minded girl into someone who puts social status and prestige first.
At the beginning of the novel, Brenda has all the attributes of a liberated girl. For case, in the prospect where she meets her love interest, she approaches Neil and tells him to hold her glasses before she jumps into the pool, demonstrating her innocence and freedom when interacting with other people (Roth 6). In addition, she is completely open to the idea of being in a relationship with a person who is not within her social classes (Roth 54).
[...] ‘Good Bye, Columbus'-Brenda's Development One of the themes of social life in the contemporary times is family. Family is held in such high regard that in most songs and movies, the people who turn their backs on their families are considered villains. There is also an emphasis on love over money and freedom of expression. At the end of the day, people are expected to choose love over money among other ideals (Russell 51). This view is challenged in the novel Goodbye, Columbus by Phillip Roth. [...]
[...] She concludes that the only way to win back the trust of her father is to part ways with her boyfriend. Her relationship with Neil is also open because they take part in many constructive arguments in the brief period when they are together. This demonstrates the she has matured, her innocence is gone. The most important thing to Brenda seems to be the approval of her parents (Roth 123-130). It is part of the motivation why she has wiles with her mother and Neil. [...]
[...] For example, sex and money were central to the arguments. Brenda storms out and tears money notes and puts them in her mother's purse. She intends this to show her mother that money is not everything. In the end, the discovery of Mr. and Mrs. Patimkin that their doughier is not as ‘pure' as they would have liked is a major turning point (Roth 123-130). It illuminates the true changes that have taken place within Brenda. She chooses to try to win back the trust of her farther over continuing her relationship with Neil. [...]
[...] For example, after the wedding, her father expresses his belief that Brenda and Neil would part ways would soon get over him' (Roth 121). In addition, their perceived image of her is the primary reason why she ends the relationship towards the end of the novel. Many events shape the development of the characters. For example, meeting Neil is an event that necessitates the development in the sense that it later leads her to question everything that she believes in. In addition, it leads to numerous conflicts that all shape her character. [...]
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