ABSTRACT

Philip Roth, as a famous contemporary Jewish American writer, aroused immediate attention when his debut Goodbye, Columbus was published in 1959.  In the collection of short stories, Goodbye, Columbus, the short story of “Eli, the Fanatic” is typical of his early works. The story vividly shows serious moral crisis of the Jews in the “melting pot” of the post-war America, which is brought about by historical and cultural conflicts. And the crisis of intra-Jewish racism and cultural assimilation described in this story are especially harsh and ironic. Roth has by now achieved a mixed reputation because of his rebellious Jewish protagonists who are eager to break the moral restrictions and religious disciplines. However, it can not be denied that Philip Roth has made great contributions to American Jewish literature with the distinctive perspectives and revelatory thoughts conveyed in his works. This thesis attempts to make a study, from the perspective cultural assimilation and cultural conflicts, of the racism within the Jewish Americans described by Roth in “Eli, the Fanatic”. The history of Jewish migrants in America as well as their traumatic experience during World War II will be examined to find out the causes that have led to such intra-Jewish racism. This study will not only offer some insights into a better understanding of this story, but also expand of the horizon the study of this story and therefore make some contribution to the study of Philip Roth’s works.

Key words：Intra-Jewish Racism; Cultural Assimilation; Cultural Difference

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One   INTRODUCTION-1

1.1-Brief Introduction of Philip Roth-1

1.2 Literature Review-2

1.3 Plan of Thesis-4

Chapter Two  INTRA-JEWISH RACISM-6

2.1 The Expulsion of the Holocaust Survivals-6

2.2 The Alienation of “Eli, the Fanatic”-7

Chapter Three  CULTURAL ASSIMILATION-9

3.1 Cultural Conflicts-9

3.2 Cultural Assimilation-10

Chapter Four  Cultural Rehabilitation-12

4.1 Cultural Heritage and National Identity-12

4.2 Cultural Rehabilitation-13

Chapter Five  CONCLUSION-15

WORKS CITED-17