"The Magic Barrel" is a short story written by Bernard Malamud in 1954. It tells the story of Leo Finkle, a newly ordained rabbi, who seeks the help of a marriage broker named Pinye Salzman to find him a suitable wife. Salzman presents Finkle with a selection of potential brides from his "magic barrel," and Finkle is initially hesitant to choose any of them. As the story progresses, Finkle becomes more desperate and agrees to meet with one of the potential brides, Lily Hirschorn. However, Finkle is disappointed when he discovers that she is not what he expected. Nevertheless, Finkle continues his search and meets with several more potential brides, each with their own flaws and imperfections.
The magic barrel analysis
Setting
New York City
The setting takes place "not long ago" in "uptown New York," which gives us a pretty good starting point for parsing the specifics. After all, "The Magic Barrel" keeps things spare, so we have to infer certain things. The story was published in 1958, so we're probably pretty safe in assuming that it takes place in the early 1950s.
That's awesome, but what does it mean? Well for starters, the setting gives it a tone and a rhythm that you wouldn't see in a story set elsewhere. . There's a general claustrophobia, as you might expect from The Big Apple. Leo livers "in a small, almost meager room, though crowded with books" (1), which is part of a "dark fourth-floor hallway of the graystone rooming house" (2). Not a lot of sunny spaces in Leo's life.
Salzman, similarly, lives in "a very old tenement house" where "Leo found Salzman's name in pencil on a soiled tag under the bell and climbed three dark flights to his apartment" (145).
Right away, you can see those New York-y clichés piling up. Tight spaces. Tenement houses and apartment buildings where you're never alone. There are a lot of people and a lot of pressure, which helps contribute to Leo's overall stress level. You can't get that kind of stress in, say, Oahu.
But at the same time, we also get a sprinkling of magic amid the crowded buildings. When Finkle first talks to Salzman, he
"… observed the round white moon, moving high in the sky through a cloud menagerie, and watched with half-open mouth as it penetrated a huge hen, and dropped out of her like an egg laying itself." (4)
Later, when he goes to meet Stella, "Violins and lit candles revolved in the sky" (201). There is a little fairy dust here. It's not quite magical realism, but it gives you the sense that something special is going on here: something that makes all the fishy smells and tiny apartments and general New York cruddiness worthwhile.
It's also worth noting that these magic images mostly seem to appear in the sky. They're a part of New York, since they affect the seething masses of New York residents, but they're also detached and a little distant. They speak to a freedom and an expansiveness that Leo presumably longs for. Also, the fact that they appear in the sky suggests some kind of heavenly origin: that the magic comes from God and that God's actions influence the story.
Finally, the specifics of this New York neighborhood—uptown Manhattan, which has a lot of Jewish communities—is reflected here and there throughout the text. The early references to the Forward (1), a Jewish newspaper and Yeshivah University, (1) a school with a history of rabbinical study, underline the cultural realities of the story.
The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamud | Summary & Analysis
"The Magic Barrel" is set in New York City. Protagonist Leo Finkle studies to be a rabbi at Yeshivah University.
Why did Leo Finkle want to marry?
Leo Finkle wanted to marry at first because he thought a wife would help him appeal to a congregation that might want him as their rabbi. At the end of the story, however, he is looking for real love and connection.
What is The Magic Barrel about?
"The Magic Barrel" is a short story about Leo Finkle's attempt to find a partner. He starts looking for a wife because he thinks being married will increase his likelihood of finding a job as a rabbi, but he ends up looking for love instead.
Nevertheless, Finkle continues his search and meets with several more potential brides, each with their own flaws and imperfections. Throughout the story, symbolism is used to represent different aspects of Finkle's journey. The magic barrel itself represents the illusion of perfection and the false hopes that Finkle holds onto.
Table of Contents
- "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud
- "The Magic Barrel" Summary
- Analysis of "The Magic Barrel"
- Lesson Summary
It can also be seen as a metaphor for the search for identity and self-discovery. Finkle's uncertainty and dissatisfaction with his life as a rabbi is highlighted through his search for a wife, and his journey ultimately leads him to confront his own doubts and insecurities. The story explores themes of love, identity, and the search for meaning in life. Finkle's desire for love and companionship leads him to question his own beliefs and values. He must confront his own preconceived notions of what he wants in a wife and learn to accept imperfections and appreciate the complexity of human relationships. "The Magic Barrel" is a thought-provoking story that examines the human desire for connection and purpose. It challenges traditional expectations and emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfections and accepting oneself. As Finkle embarks on his search for a wife, he ultimately discovers that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in a conventional way..
Reviews for "The Critiques of Society and Culture in "The Magic Barrel"
1. Jane - 1 star
I found "The Magic Barrel" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The writing style was dry and lacked any depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The plot felt scattered and unresolved, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was disappointed with this analysis and would not recommend it.
2. John - 2 stars
While "The Magic Barrel" had some interesting themes and ideas, I found the execution to be lacking. The analysis felt disjointed and overly verbose, making it difficult to follow. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their own knowledge and intellect than truly analyzing the story. I also found the writing to be pretentious and inaccessible, which detracted from my enjoyment. Overall, I did not find this analysis to be satisfying or worthwhile.
3. Sarah - 1 star
"The Magic Barrel" analysis was a confusing and convoluted read. The author seemed to go off on tangents and jumped from idea to idea without providing a clear thesis or structure. I had a hard time understanding the main points the author was trying to make, and it felt like they were overcomplicating a relatively simple story. I was left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled by this analysis.
4. Tom - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Magic Barrel" analysis, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The author's interpretation of the story felt forced and lacking in depth. It seemed like they were trying too hard to find hidden meanings and symbolism, resulting in a convoluted analysis that didn't resonate with me. I was left wanting a more straightforward and clear explanation of the themes and messages of the story. Overall, this analysis was a miss for me.
5. Emily - 3 stars
While "The Magic Barrel" analysis had some interesting insights, I found it to be overly abstract and lacking concrete examples from the story. The author made broad claims and used complex language without providing enough evidence to support their arguments. I also felt that the analysis could have benefit from a more organized structure to guide the reader through the author's ideas. Overall, I appreciated some aspects of this analysis, but it left me wanting more clarity and specificity.