Philip Roth has written many stories throughout his lifetime. 'Defender of the Faith' is a short story that was published in his first collection entitled Goodbye, Columbus which also included four other short stories and a novella. To understand Roth's writing one must first look at his life and where he got his general ideas from. In many of Roth's stories he encompasses parts of his life that he has dealt with such as being a Jewish American.In 'Defender of the Faith' we watch a Sergeant in the United States Army come back from fighting in World War II and come to terms with his Jewish faith and what it truly means to him by reconnecting with a part of his heart he hasn't been able to use for a long time. The story is written in first person allowing us to follow Sergeant Marx's true perspective and feelings on what he is going through in the story. The main characters in this story also include Sheldon Grossbart, Michael Halpren, and Larry Fishbein, three Jewish trainees trying to deal with the difficulties of basic training and also those of being true and faithful Jewish men.

Roth joined the army in 1955, just ten years after the end of World War II, so through these men's difficulties you can see what Roth himself probably went through during training. Roth brings himself and his family alive through the characters and happenings of the story.

“Defender of the Faith” by Philip Roth One. Why does the narrator Sargeant Nathan Marx say he is “fortunate enough” to travel “the weirdest paths without feeling a thing”? He wants us to know that he is world-weary and life-hardened, a man who “has seen it all,” but in fact.

The men tell of how their parents are very concerned and overprotective of their sons. In a biography of Roth's life by Lee Hermoine it discuses how he had a 'over-possessive mother who, like most Jewish mother's only wanted the best for her son.' This theme is conveyed throughout the book.Roth characterizes Sergeant Marx as a man who mostly has been in the army for too long and has lost the warmness in his heart only because he's had no other choice so that he could deal with the things the army brings with enlisting in it. It is said in Hermiones biography of Roth that he seems to have a 'less loving view of the lives of Jews.' This could be why we see that Marx has forgotten some of his faith and has gotten over things such as eating kosher for the right to serve in the army. We watch the changes in Marx's character and personality as he gets to know the three privates who remind him of the things he use to believe in. 795 Words  4 PagesThe Defender of the FaithIn Philip Roth’s, “Defender of the Faith”, Sergeant Nathan Marx is the “Defender” of whom the title speaks.

Reluctant at first, Marx defended his faith on two fronts, one across the sea in Europe and the second in the United States. The battle in the states was of a different type. Marx learned what it was like to defend his and the faith of his fellow Jews against prejudice and abuse by those who waged the war. Marx is not an orthodox Jew. He does not follow the doctrine. 454 Words  2 PagesDefender of the Faith ThemeTheme in “Defender of the Faith” can be interpreted in many varying ways, some of which are life-long lessons and others to the relation between faith and the individual.Throughout much of the story, Nathan Marx is lost between his role as a sergeant, Jew and human being. The relationship between the church, state and individual is a well-known concept.

The three must be independent of each other and this story explores what happens when the three are forced. 1787 Words  8 Pagescalled the Counter or Catholic Reformation. The soldiers selected to carry out this mission were the Jesuits, affectionately known as “ God’s Soldiers,” and for good reason.The Catholic Church needed an elite force, men dedicated to defending the faith, and so when Pope Paul III took control he called forth the Jesuits. The success of the Catholic Church’s Counter Reformation would not have been possible if it weren’t for the Jesuits’ strict military like structure and organization. They regained. 511 Words  3 PagesPoint of View in Defender of the Faith and Hills Like White ElephantsIn the short stories 'Defender of the Faith' and 'Hills Like White Elephants', two very different points of view are used.

In 'Defender of the Faith', the first person point of view is used. 'Hills Like White Elephants' uses the objective point of view. The two different points of view give each story their own individual characteristics. One point of view is not necessarily better than the other. The two are equally. 1961 Words  8 Pagesthrough the Great Depression the citizens would have to help one another. Herbert tried to fix the problem with citizens and without involving the government, which is why it is obvious that he was a defender of the laissez-faire policy.

Herbert Hoover tried to tackle the Great Depression with the faith in his citizens.Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was the 32nd President of the Unites States, following Herbert Hoover, and had many policies and reforms planned to fix the nation from the Great Depression. 1985 Words  8 Pagesof influence or leadership, in any society1. In 1852, when the book was published, women were nonetheless confined to domestic obligations. With the help of the books, Uncle Tom’s Cabin written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Social Analysis: Linking Faith and Justice written by Joe Holland, one is able to understand how much of an impact Stowe had on America’s history with the way people viewed slavery. The percussion of Uncle Tom’s Cabin caused much conflict between the abolitionists and the antislavery.

616 Words  3 Pagescounter productive work behavior. Just as in the case of Lt. Col James Wilkerson, who was convicted of sexual assault at Aviano Air Base in Northern Italy. His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant General Craig Franklin, set aside the ruling (Protect our Defenders, 2014).

By today’s standards, each branch of the military has but a few dozen or so installations or bases to serve within. This coupled with the military’s pension for moving its members periodically every one to six years.

If a ruling is over. 584 Words  3 Pagesgiving his/her point of view, by usingomniscient, limited omniscient, or first person. The purpose of the narrator is to give factsand details, being reliable or not. Three stories we have read in class are 'The Body,' byStephen King, 'Defender of the Faith,' by Philip Roth, and 'Everyday Use,' by AliceWalker; which give examples of a reliable narrator. Each narrator was a reliable sourceof information, and told his/her story well.Stephen King's. 'The Body,' was an excellent representation. 1045 Words  5 Pagesthe end of the film, the viewer is shown a picture of a world ruled by a heavy handed government, and led by apes that represent the church and state alike.

The main character that is an example of this is Dr. Zaius, “Chief Prosecutor and Defender of the Faith,” who rules both nation and state with an equally closed mind.

For most Americans, this is unheard of. One of the founding principles of the United States of America is a division of church and state. To us, having one individual controlling. 1056 Words  5 Pagesby writing a theological treatise Assertio Septem Sacramentorum, which attacked the new reformist ideas of Martin Luther.

Henry was then rewarded for this by a grateful papacy, who gave Henry the title Defensor Fidei (Defender of the Faith). So, if Henry was the “Defender of Faith” why did he break from the Roman Catholic Church in 1533? To make a long story short Henry wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, the Pope refused to grant him a divorce. So Henry then broke from the Roman Catholic.

Defender of the Faith, by Philip Roth, is a short story that exemplifies the nature ofJewishness that is portrayed through the characters of Sergeant Marx and Sheldon Grossbart.Throughout the story, there is a recurring theme revolving around the dilemma Sergeant Marxmust face in his decision to act as either a top sergeant, Jewish man, or human being (Paterson,136). Marx's internal quarrels, in turn, cause him to constantly question his beliefs, thus leadinghim to a burdensome battle he must conquer in order to retain his faith.As the story progresses, Roth makes use of dilemma through the main character andprotagonist, Sergeant Nathan Marx (Searles, 102).

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Marx's character is always in a state ofuncertainty in his numerous encounters with one of his Jewish trainees, Sheldon Grossbart. SinceMarx is also Jewish, Grossbart cunningly attempts to use this common trait as a way to receivespecial privileges from Marx. Through each encounter, Marx's true character and personality arerevealed by the use of this dilemma. While Grossbart continues to gain pity for his Jewishnessfrom the sergeant, Marx is aware of Grossbart's sly tactics yet repeatedly gives in to his requests.Although Marx is a die-hard soldier, programmed and determined to carry out the important taskof preparing his men for war, he shows the reader a sympathetic quality that breaks free of hisduty inclined thought (Lee, 43). For example, when Grossbart pleads with Marx that he mustleave base for a day to visit his aunt for the Jewish holiday, Marx is faced with the decision ofwhether or not to let Grossbart leave even though it was prohibited to do so. In this incidence,Marx agrees to the terms, believing in the importance of family and holidays. Through eachdilemma, Marx's character is strengthened yet becoming more furious as the story comes to aclose.

In his final dilemma with.