European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Life is a tragedy full of joy- stated by Bernard Malamud, one of the most important
Jewish-American writers, while explaining the characteristic mixture of sorrow and
comedy in his works. His parents are Russian Immigrants. His writings have universal
appeal. Malamud is mainly preoccupied with the complex faith of being a Jew. The major
concerns of Malamud's heroes are suffering, commitment and responsibility. Despite their
guilt-ridden past, they suffer for a new life. Suffering enabled by their commitment and
gratitude towards a more perfect life. These acts of heroism are not acts of self, but derived
from or created responsibility towards another soul. The moral vision of Malamud
synthesizes values common to Judaic, Greek and Christian traditions. Thus, it is pertinent
to not that all the major Malamudian chracters to become more human through their
journey of sufferings. They offers the possibility of humanism for the sufferers and that is
central to the moral vision. In this article I would like to discuss the characters of Bernard
Malamud, with special reference to his second novel The Assistant. How they fight to
survive and how they face the obstacles being a Jew and Refugee is my focus. Malamud's
characters do not consider suffering as a curse for them rather, a boon to bring the best in
man.