The Natural (For the love of money)

A detailed Summary of The Natural (For the love of money)

An overwhelming love for money can be the root of all sin. In the novel, The Natural, by

Bernard Malamud, the main character, Roy Hobbs unfortunately faces the temptation of fixing a

baseball game.It is the ultimate test of his true character.Like any conflict faced in life it weighs

heavily upon him. Between the greedy bookkeeper, the evil judge and the temptress Memo Paris,

Roy is constantly being bombarded with thoughts of sin and temptation. Each try to persuade, and

corrupt the vulnerable Roy Hobbs. Although strong at first, it is his love for Memo and need for

money that eventually brings him to commit the ultimate sin of baseball.

It is the rich bookkeeper, Gus, that first reveals his plan to fix a baseball game to Roy. Gus

is a mysterious man like Roy himself. Little is known about the man with a glass eye except that

he is a terrific gambler. He seems to be a friendly man who is not very honest. Through out the

novel his dependency upon gambling is evident. He bets on everything from guessing numbers to

card games. '"Say the word, slugger, and you can make yourself a nice pile of dough quick."'(158)

After being witness to these words Roy is mortified. He discustingly threatens to split Gus' eye

to have her feel the same. He is willing to sacrifice everything for her including his baseball career.

unable to easily turn her down. Because of his love for her, Roy is virtually powerless to follow

scum, I hate your guts and always have since the day you murdered Bump' (her boyfriend)."(217)

this dark, selfish attitude to corrupt Roy. After paying him a league low salary for MVP play, and

All three people were in on the eventual corruption of Roy. The Judge and Gus use Memo

quick cash and a much higher salary for the following year if he would fix only one game. '"You

would be able to fall in love with him. She uses her power of seduction over Roy to persuade him.

as bait in order to make millions destroying Roy's life. Unfortunately they have no remorse for

decision is what leads to the end of Roy's short career. The press gets a hold of the story and Roy

denying him a raise, the Judge knows that Roy is in need of some money. He offers Roy some

Memo is a young, beautiful woman who is the team manager's niece. She was the

idea of fixing a game is a bit more practical . Gus makes plans to corrupt the ballplayer using his

Although Roy was able to resist Gus' temptation rather easily, when Memo pleads to him he is

Approximate Word count = 888
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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