The Pursuit Of Jewish Identity In Philip Roth’s The Counterlife

As the eminent Jewish American writer in American literary world, Philip Roth has attained great success in his literary world since the publication of his first work Goodbye Columbus. Due to the satire of Jews delineated in them, Roth’s earlier works have received controversial criticism. The critics even consider Roth as a rebellious Jewish writer. In1986, Roth published another novel The Counterlife, in which the direct depiction of Jewish life has broken his earlier writing traditions greatly. Consequently the critics firmly regard the head-turning position of the novel. By applying postmodern experimental writing techniques, Roth portrays Zuckerman brothers’pursuit of Jewish identity in this obscure novel. However, looking over home and abroad, most review articles focus on the postmodern writing techniques and the significance of the novel. They have ignored the illustration of the cultural motif of "pursuit" in the novel. Actually, due to Roth’s special position of being a Jew and descriptions of Jewish life in America, Israel, and England, the interpretation of this novel from the perspective of pursuing Jewish identity is of historical significance.This thesis tries to make a profound research into Roth and The Counterlife from the perspective of the cultural motif of "pursuit". It analyzes the identity issues the Jewish Americans encounter in the melting environment of America and illustrates the pursuit of Jewish identity in different countries. Based on the methods of text-analysis and culture study, the thesis starts from the demonstration of identity crisis among contemporary Jewish Americans, illustrating how they pursue their Jewish identity in different areas by constructing a counterlife, and discussing the ultimate attribution of their Jewish identity.The thesis is divided into five parts, including introduction, three chapters for body and the conclusion. Introduction consists of two parts, in which it gives general introduction about Roth along with the novel and provides the thorough review of the critical works concerning The Counterlife at home and abroad. Meanwhile, it points out the limitations of these previous studies. Chapter Two explores the identity crisis both Henry and Nathan face in America, which specifically refers to Henry’s alienation from Jewish traditions and his physical as well as psychical impotence, along with Nathan’s severe objection to Jewish traditions and ignorance of Israel. Chapter Three focuses on the illustration of how Henry and Nathan search for their Jewish identity in their counterlife. In Israel, Henry realizes his Jewish consciousness and becomes an authentic Zionist by total abandonment of his past. Nathan’s sufferings in Christendom awaken his Jewish consciousness and offer him profound understanding about the Jewish identity. Chapter Four puts emphasis on the revelation of the failure of the counterlife which is also the most concern Roth intends to reveal. The Promised Land Israel has already become the territory full of violence and radical Zionism; England has been rooted with severe anti-Semitism; while the Jews in America where freedom and equality are advocated are living the turmoil and void life because America is not the paradise they dream. The attribution of identity for contemporary Jews is still a mystery. The Conclusion part makes a brief summary of the major points analyzed in the former chapters. Meanwhile it points out the significance as well as limitations of the thesis. Moreover, some useful suggestions are put forward for further study about Roth and the novel.