Tired of ads?
Join today and never see them again.
Advertisement - Guide continues below
Religion
Malamud doesn't go overboard in his religious descriptions, but hey: Leo's studying to be a rabbi—religion and God are on this story like white on rice. In fact, what at first appears to be a quest for love actually turns into a search for God.
In "The Magic Barrel," finding God can only be achieved through man. By seeking out loving connections with our fellow human beings, we actually discover God's love… or at least the hope that we can find that love someday. It isn't easy and it doesn't come without a price. But in the end, it's the only struggle worth making.
God's presence is a palpable force in Leo's life, designed to restore his faith.
God's presence is incidental and Leo finds his way through his own choices.
Join today and never see them again.
Please Wait...