"The Magic Barrel" is a short story written by Bernard Malamud. It was first published in 1954 and is considered to be one of Malamud's most anthologized stories. The story revolves around the character of Leo Finkle, a rabbinical student who is searching for a wife with the help of a marriage broker. Leo Finkle is a serious and introverted character who is determined to find a suitable wife before he is ordained as a rabbi. He seeks the help of Pinye Salzman, a marriage broker, who presents him with a list of potential brides. However, Leo is not convinced by the profiles and insists that he wants to meet the women in person.
-- Bonnie Cehovet , Aeclectic Tarot
The lower half of the card appears to be a choppy sea, with the shoulders, head, and upraised arm of a male figure shown in the upper half, against a light lavender background. The lower half of the card appears to be a choppy sea, with the shoulders, head, and upraised arm of a male figure shown in the upper half, against a light lavender background.
However, Leo is not convinced by the profiles and insists that he wants to meet the women in person. Leo's search for a wife takes an unexpected turn when he meets Salzman's own daughter, Stella. Stella is unlike any of the other women Leo has met before.
Celestial witchcraft book and deck of cards
Artist/astrologer Kay Steventon and author/lecturer Brian Clark together have created a stunning blend of the myths and symbols of astronomy with the tool of astrological divination. The mysteries that are the Tarot emerge in a very different manner, one that is unique and empowering. It is a guide to the heavens, as well as a guide to our inner selves.
While this deck follows the traditional structure of the Tarot (the Major Arcana retain their traditional titles, with Strength as VIII and Judgment as XI; the suits are Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles; the Court Cards are King, Queen, Prince, and Princess), it is overtly based on the traditions of astronomy, astrology, and mythology.
The twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana are represented by the twelve zodiacal constellations and the ten planets of contemporary astrology. In the Minor Arcana , we encounter what the author terms "extra-zodiacal" constellations. The Minor Arcana us divided into decants, with the thought of adding insight and symbolism to each card. In the Court Cards, the Princesses each embody a season, while the Prince, Queen and King each embody the fixed, mutable, and cardinal signs of each element. The artwork is stunning, and strongly carries the character of fantasy. Toss in astrological and elemental symbology , along with Hebrew letters, and this deck rocks! I loved going through the cards and looking for the symbols and the intricate details. The overall tone is a little dark, as far as coloring goes, with deep blue/lavender backgrounds, with imagery in gold, white, lighter lavender, blues and greens, with some bronze/red. It is very hard for me to pick favorite cards with this deck, as I like so many of them! The Fool certainly stands out: associated with the planet Uranus, the Fool is seen as acting suddenly and unexpectedly. He is shown as a small, naked figure against the night sky, arms up and in an apparent freefall . The lower half of the card appears to be a choppy sea, with the shoulders, head, and upraised arm of a male figure shown in the upper half, against a light lavender background. Celestial Tarot is a deck for those who want to work with astrological associations, or those who are interested in myth. This deck certainly could be used for readings, but it would also work well for meditation and journeying.
-- Bonnie Cehovet , Aeclectic Tarot
This is a complicated, though breathtaking, deck design. It will probably suit the more astrologically minded among us, and those with a good working understanding of Greek mythology. Each Major Arcana card is given either a planetary or zodiacal attribution. Each suit is assigned to its traditional Element, and each pip also has a mythological figure or a constellation associated with it. The images are generally dictated by sections of the myth in question -- for example, the 9 of Swords is associated with Canis Minor, and the image shows us a dog glancing back over his shoulder. Superimposed upon him is the shape of the constellation named for him, and the astrological symbol of Gemini to indicate separation.
The artist who created this deck is Kay Steventon , who brought us the fantastic Spiral Tarot, working in collaboration with Brian Clark. They have gone on to produce an oracular deck called Ancient Feminine Wisdom. The images in this deck are evocative and almost ethereal. The complexity of symbol incorporated into each card is astonishing, with occult glyphs from the Hebrew alphabet, the Qabalah and other sources all adding insight into the mind of the artist.
The little booklet that accompanies the deck explains extensively about each of the legends, which were incorporated into the design of the cards. Though some of the given interpretations are somewhat unusual I found them complementary to my existing knowledge -- expanding my view of specific cards. For example, the 4 of Pentacles is described thus "With the 4 of Pentacles, Taurus initiates the individual into the awareness of the boundary separating Earth’s sacred and secular spheres by recognizing the distinction between inner values and outer possessions. When this card appears the individual needs to reflect on his or her relationship with the material realm". Whilst not exactly a classic interpretation, it is one which builds a new dimension of understanding.
This is most definitely not a beginner's deck. But for a more experienced user of Tarot I would suggest that, both as a meditation tool and a working deck, it could definitely have a lot to offer. The accompanying booklet is very well written and extensive. If you liked the Spiral Tarot, you'll love this one, especially if you have an interest in astrology and Greek myth.
-- Jan Shepherd, Angel Paths
This is a complicated, though breathtaking, deck design. It will probably suit the more astrologically minded among us, and those with a good working understanding of Greek mythology. Each Major Arcana card is given either a planetary or zodiacal attribution. Each suit is assigned to its traditional Element, and each pip also has a mythological figure or a constellation associated with it. The images are generally dictated by sections of the myth in question -- for example, the 9 of Swords is associated with Canis Minor, and the image shows us a dog glancing back over his shoulder. Superimposed upon him is the shape of the constellation named for him, and the astrological symbol of Gemini to indicate separation.
She is a vibrant and free-spirited individual who captivates Leo's attention immediately. Despite his initial reservations about her, Leo feels a strong connection with Stella and becomes determined to win her over. As the story progresses, Leo discovers a shocking secret about Stella's past. This revelation puts their budding relationship at risk and Leo must confront his own prejudices and preconceptions about love and marriage. The story explores themes of identity, love, and the search for meaning in life. Malamud's writing style in "The Magic Barrel" is characterized by sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions. He captures the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters, allowing readers to engage with their struggles and dilemmas. The story also incorporates Jewish traditions and cultural references, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. Overall, "The Magic Barrel" is a poignant and thought-provoking story that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of happiness. It highlights the transformative power of love and challenges societal norms and expectations. It is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today..
Reviews for "A Study of Bernard Malamud's Characters in "The Magic Barrel"
1. James - 2 stars
I found "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud to be quite disappointing. While the premise of the story seemed intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with their struggles and conflicts. Additionally, the pacing of the story was slow, dragging on without much excitement or intrigue. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this piece of writing.
2. Emily - 1 star
"The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud was a tedious read for me. The language and writing style were convoluted and difficult to follow, making it challenging to fully grasp the meaning behind the story. The plot was also bland and predictable, without any standout moments or surprises. I failed to find any emotional resonance with the characters, which made it hard for me to care about their dilemmas. Overall, I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this short story.
3. David - 2 stars
I was not impressed with "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Malamud. The story lacked originality and felt cliché, following the typical trope of a young man searching for love and redemption. The characters were unremarkable and failed to elicit any sympathy or interest from me. Moreover, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, hindering my ability to fully engage with the narrative. Overall, this story failed to captivate me or leave any lasting impact.