Focus
The 1940s were a time of drastic social changes throughout the world. Although World War II was centralized in Europe, its effects created a shockwave across America. American Jews faced persecution and anti-Semitism on a daily basis. While some Americans chose to support the Jews, the majority either kept quiet or joined hate groups like the Christian Front. As these hate-groups expanded and their power increased, Americans were forced to take sides. Some tried to ignore the social changes, many joined the masses, and then a few individuals stood up to the oppression. In Focus, Arthur Miller strives to portray the different attitudes and perspectives of Americans during this time of war. Miller uses the characters as representations of different groups all faced with the same problem of anti-Semitism. The main character, Newman, becomes a victim of anti-Semitism when he acquires a new pair of glasses. Gertrude, Fred and Finkelstein represent the various societal responses to his seemingly superficial, yet complex change. The author uses the main character, Lawrence Newman, as the focal point for anti-Semitism in his epic novel. It is through Newman's eyes that the hostile New York Jew-hating environment of the 1940's
At first, Newman has no clue to why his world is unraveling. He can't understand how a simple pair of glasses can change how everybody perceives him. As Newman first looks at himself in the mirror the author tells, "the glasses did what he had feared they would do to his face...he was looking at what might very properly be called the face of a Jew." Newman tries to ignore the fact that a pair of glasses can instantaneously change his entire appearance, but he can't deny the reactions he gets from the rest of society. Newman undergoes an entire role-reversal. can be portrayed. Similarly, Newman's surroundings are able to perceive him through his eyes, more specifically his glasses. From the beginning of the story, Newman begins to undergo a crucial transformation that will forever alter the way he looks at things. Other central characters are key to bringing about this transformation. Everyone's reaction to his new glasses, including his own, brings about an extraordinary life-changing experience, where Newman must confront his worst fears. Where as once Newman saw anti-Semitism from the aggressor side, he is now seen as the victim, a Jew. Through this role reversal, Newman can no longer be the apathetic gentile, and he must decide whether to join the forces that threaten his life, or do what he feels is right, and resist conformity. A mere pair of glasses triggers a slew of events that will forever change Newman's outlook on life. Newman goes from having a secure job and on top of the social ladder, to being out of work and subject for hate, all in the matter of a few days. Newman's friends and family even disassociate with him as he undergoes a drastic transformation. Ultimately Newman undergoes a complete one hundred eighty-degree role reversal. Where in the beginning of the story he is unable to do what is "right" and contact the police about the Puerto Rican woman, in the end he takes it upon himself to report the brutalities committed by the Front. It's unfortunate that Newman had to become a victim of society in order to see the true reality of things, the "insanity in the darkness." In essence, Newman becomes the Jew. The author makes it fully evident that anti-Semitism in America at t
Some common words found in the essay are:
Jew Newman, Christian Front, Similarly Newman's, Newman Jews, Finkestein Jews, WAR Kill, Arthur Miller, Puerto Rican, Newman Jew, American Jews, pair glasses, christian front, beginning story, story newman, newman anti-semitism, join christian front, join christian, main character, role reversal, neighbor fred, rican woman, puerto rican woman, beginning story newman,
Approximate Word count = 1493
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
