Bernard Malamud's The Assistant presents religion as, on one hand, a heritage that binds people together in the present and into the past and future, and on the other hand, as a force that separates and alienates them from one another. Frank Alpine, a gentile, enters the lives of the Bobers, one of the few Jewish families in a Brooklyn neighborhood. At first, he is a stranger and participant in a robbery motivated by anti-Semitism, but as his story progresses, he learns to appreciate and value the Jews and their religious way of life. In fact, the story culminates in his conversion to Judaism, which is basically a big flashing neon sign saying that religion is pretty central to the story.
Questions About Religion
- Why does Frank become a Jew at the end of the novel?
- How does Morris reconcile his serving and eating ham with his Judaism?
- According to Morris, what is the mark of a good Jew?
- Why does Helen hope her children marry Jews?
Chew on This
Frank's conversion to Judaism is sincere.
Frank's conversion to Judaism is mostly another attempt to woo Helen.