Every worldly culture has it’s own set of masterful artists, which always includes writers. Just because a piece of literature is written in another language, and from a land unlike our own, doesn’t mean its message won’t get through to readers of a different dialect. In order for others to understand the idea in that text, a translator must remove the barrier of language and localize the ideas for the common man. The History of Love, a novel predominantly written in English, contains many other languages and ideas that are typically never translated, leaving that barrier up and in good health. Krauss’ use of the barrier of culture, intentional or not, separates worlds in the novel which will simultaneously aids and hinders the characters
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As little Alma tells us, her brother Bird is an intensely religious Jew, and besides this description we aren’t given much else into Bird’s personality. He goes so far as the write “God” on Alma’s survival books, to which Alma roars “You ruined it!” (60). She wants Bird to “at least try to be normal” (60), Because to her his fanaticism is going to ruin relationships with family and any potential friends Bird may try to make at Hebrew School. But until we actually see firsthand what Bird is like, there should be no judgement on how alien or outlandish his culture and reliability is. In the later half of the book, Bird plays a crucial role in connecting the worlds of Alma and Leo. Religion can be a very strong drive for people to do things, and for Bird he believes “if he is a real lamed vovnik, I will be able to help [Alma]!” (215). His own deep personal desire that was born from a way of living somewhat unattached from family is the reason Alma and Leo meet at Central Park at 4:00 (219). Like Leo before him, Bird is driven by his own way of living to help his sister, and in turn drive forward the story. The very culture and language that fretted Alma and may have ruined so many social chances for Bird is what ultimately helps him and the two protagonists in the end. This is because the preservation and lack of a character’s knowledge and involvement with the rest of the cast, like Bird, gives Krauss the perfect piece of the puzzle to tie together two worlds that without it would not
As little Alma tells us, her brother Bird is an intensely religious Jew, and besides this description we aren’t given much else into Bird’s personality. He goes so far as the write “God” on Alma’s survival books, to which Alma roars “You ruined it!” (60). She wants Bird to “at least try to be normal” (60), Because to her his fanaticism is going to ruin relationships with family and any potential friends Bird may try to make at Hebrew School. But until we actually see firsthand what Bird is like, there should be no judgement on how alien or outlandish his culture and reliability is. In the later half of the book, Bird plays a crucial role in connecting the worlds of Alma and Leo. Religion can be a very strong drive for people to do things, and for Bird he believes “if he is a real lamed vovnik, I will be able to help [Alma]!” (215). His own deep personal desire that was born from a way of living somewhat unattached from family is the reason Alma and Leo meet at Central Park at 4:00 (219). Like Leo before him, Bird is driven by his own way of living to help his sister, and in turn drive forward the story. The very culture and language that fretted Alma and may have ruined so many social chances for Bird is what ultimately helps him and the two protagonists in the end. This is because the preservation and lack of a character’s knowledge and involvement with the rest of the cast, like Bird, gives Krauss the perfect piece of the puzzle to tie together two worlds that without it would not