Reading 1001 discussion

Review thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I've not read any works by Singer before- I've had this one in my to-read list for some time, along with his The Magician of Lublin. In my to-read list I highlight in orange a 1001 author I haven't read before, so it's good to get to a couple of my "orange" authors this month (the other is Galsworthy's Forsyte Saga).
The Manor seems to be one of the few classic family sagas that hasn't been made into a BBC production- it might have been if Singer had been British and if it were better known.
I'm now 2/3 of the way through the novel and I have been enjoying the interactions of the wide variety of characters in the community. In this way it reminds me of Middlemarch which I read earlier this year.
The main character (if there is one) seems to be Calman- I respect his orthodox beliefs but simultaneously I wish for him to become more independent of them. He should at least have had the sense to choose a second wife who was more compatible with them, but his desires overwhelmed his reason, as so often happens.
I'm looking forward to the last third of this novel.

1. How does the historical context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries influence the characters and events in "The Manor"? Consider the impact of political changes, social shifts, and the decline of the aristocracy.

2. Discuss the role of tradition and change in the novel. How do these themes affect the characters' decisions and relationships?

3. Analyze the character of the manor itself. How does it symbolize the broader themes of the novel? Consider its physical state, its significance to the characters, and its role in the story.

4. How does Singer use the character of the narrator to shape the reader's perception of the other characters and the events of the novel?

5. Examine the portrayal of Jewish identity in "The Manor." How do different characters embody or challenge Jewish traditions and values?

6. In what ways do class and social status influence the dynamics between characters in the novel?

7. How does Isaac Bashevis Singer use symbolism throughout the novel? Consider objects, settings, or actions that carry deeper meanings.

8. Discuss the theme of personal versus collective responsibility in "The Manor." How do characters grapple with their individual roles versus their obligations to their community?

9. How does "The Manor" address the concept of memory and history? What role does the past play in shaping the characters' present and future?

10. Explore the conflicts between modernity and tradition in the novel. How do different characters react to the changing world around them, and what does this reveal about their values and beliefs?

1. How does the historical context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries influence the characters and events in "The Manor"? Consider the impact of political changes, social shifts, and the decline of the aristocracy.

The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century saw a resurgents of nationalism and Jews were a large part of the urban population. Jewish enlightenment was on the rise. This is a fancy way of saying there was a movement away from the "traditions". Antisemitism and Pograms are on the rise especially in Russia. We have Calman trying to hold on to tradition and to family and his son in law Ezriel moving toward enlightenment. His wife Shaindel however desires to remain traditional. Miriam desires to move away from Tradition and seeks a knight in shining armor. Mayer Joel is one of the Jews along with Calman who do well financial during this time.

2. Discuss the role of tradition and change in the novel. How do these themes affect the characters' decisions and relationships? Traditions are held on to by the patriarch Calman and to some extent his three daughters. His son in laws however, especially Ezriel moves toward enlightenment. Some even convert; Miriam. Claire violates the traditions and Kosher laws over and over causing great distress for Calman.

3. Analyze the character of the manor itself. How does it symbolize the broader themes of the novel? Consider its physical state, its significance to the characters, and its role in the story. The Manor belonged to the Polish aristocracy and had been taken away by the Russians. It did not have the elements of a Jewish home. I am sure the kitchen wasn't a Kosher kitchen, there was no ritual bath or places to pray and study the Talmud. It was old and an expensive thing to take over.

4. How does Singer use the character of the narrator to shape the reader's perception of the other characters and the events of the novel?

5. Examine the portrayal of Jewish identity in "The Manor." How do different characters embody or challenge Jewish traditions and values? Jewish identity is by the sidelocks, the phylacteries, skull caps, the ritual washing, the prayers, the mezuzah. For the woman, the covering of the head even to shaving the hair and wearing a wig as an older woman. These were the identities and they were harder to hold on as Jewish culture banged up against Gentile culture as seen when Calman moved into The Manor which was not a Jewish home.

6. In what ways do class and social status influence the dynamics between characters in the novel? Some have money such as Calman, and Claire both have money. Others are dirt poor such as Lucian (a Gentile) and Miriam (a convert). Lucian is simply an awful character.

7. How does Isaac Bashevis Singer use symbolism throughout the novel? Consider objects, settings, or actions that carry deeper meanings. hmm, thee was lots of items to think about... I will have to search this out more. I listed some things in the last question.

8. Discuss the theme of personal versus collective responsibility in "The Manor." How do characters grapple with their individual roles versus their obligations to their community?
I am a strong believer in personal responsibility and not of the collective. Lucian is a person who is one who is responsible for his own problems but constantly blaming others. Miriam however seems to except her situation and doesn't feel a need to blame. Calman has a strong sense of responsibility to his community, that is, the Jewish community

9. How does "The Manor" address the concept of memory and history? What role does the past play in shaping the characters' present and future?

10. Explore the conflicts between modernity and tradition in the novel. How do different characters react to the changing world around them, and what does this reveal about their values and beliefs?
Calman- wants to remain a pious Jew.
Jochabed - a traditional Jewish mother
Mayer Joel - a business man who takes opportunities as they rise
Ezriel - wants to be a modern Jew
Shaindel - a traditionalist but unhappy. Gets fat.
Miriam - dreams of Princes, shining armor and horses, runs away with a Gentile, a worthless one at that.
Tsipele - the youngest, she is obedient to her father, she is a good Rabi wife.
Zelda - a wife who thinks she needs to complain to control her husband
Claire - a floozy in my opinion
Kasia - a poor child, victim of child abuse in my opinion
Sabina - manipulative, complaining, but has the purse strings
Zipkin - ruled by his groin instead of his head

1. How does the historical context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries influence the characters and events in "The Manor"? Consider the impact of political changes, social shifts, and the decline of the aristocracy.
This period is a time of conflicts - nationalism is on the rise and modern ideas are leading to changes, but at the same time the Russian Empire is putting pressure on Poland to conform to its ways of life, and the Hasidic Jewish community are trying to hold on to their traditional ways. There are a lot of pressures

2. Discuss the role of tradition and change in the novel. How do these themes affect the characters' decisions and relationships?
Calman and the Hasidic community represent tradition, it provides security and a sense of identity. Ezriel is the face of modernity, wanting to question and challenge the religious principles, and working in the new field of mental illness. Miriam is an apostate and must adjust to not belonging in any community, she chooses this path because she feels she does not want to be a traditional wife, but the alternative does not bring her happiness.

3. Analyze the character of the manor itself. How does it symbolize the broader themes of the novel? Consider its physical state, its significance to the characters, and its role in the story. The manor was a symbol of the aristocracy before the uprising, but once it was captured things began to change. Calman sees it as the symbol of his success, but finally he rejects it as the scene of his humiliation and disgrace. It was prosperous but then decays.

4. How does Singer use the character of the narrator to shape the reader's perception of the other characters and the events of the novel?
The narrator often puts himself in the shoes of his characters, expressing their thoughts and asking rhetorical questions. It brings the reader closer to the characters.

5. Examine the portrayal of Jewish identity in "The Manor." How do different characters embody or challenge Jewish traditions and values?
Jochanan embodies the Jewish tradition and values and is revered by his community, yet he is seen as unworldly and out of touch with the changing society. Ezriel challenges the values, he is interested in science rather than religion and sees the traditions as myths and legends. Wallenberg is an interesting character, an apostate who is successful and so is generally accepted, yet he still retains sympathy for the Jews - Miriam is an apostate who is rejected by everyone (except Ezriel) and ends in misery.

8. Discuss the theme of personal versus collective responsibility in "The Manor." How do characters grapple with their individual roles versus their obligations to their community?
Characters such as Lucian and Clara follow only their own path, they don’t consider responsibility to their family or community. Calman is torn between personal and collective responsibilities but in the end he is pulled towards his community. Mayor Joel takes on business opportunities and looks after his family but keeps it all within the constraints of his community so that he has a framework to operate within.

10. Explore the conflicts between modernity and tradition in the novel. How do different characters react to the changing world around them, and what does this reveal about their values and beliefs?
This is pretty much the same as Question 2. Kristel has summed up the characters pretty succinctly!