Failed Redemption In Bernard Malamud's The Natural

Failed Redemption in The Natural
Bernard Malamud’s The Natural is based on the true life of Eddie Waitkus, a Philadelphia Phillies first baseman whose career was nearly destroyed in an unexpected shooting incident. The kick-start to Malamud’s career, this roman a clef portrays Waitkus as Roy Hobbs, a young pitching prodigy who hopes to one day be the best player in league history. However, his aspirations soon go awry after he is shot by a mysterious woman whom he has fallen in love with. Surviving the event, Hobbs faces a symbolic rebirth, reintegrating himself into the competitive sport of baseball whilst remaining unrecognized by those who knew him before he was shot. Malamud’s effective use of symbolism in actions and mythical events …show more content…
Through the simple, yet effective use of ellipsis, symbolism, and roman a clef, the reader is able to get a grasp of the various flaws and failings of Roy Hobbs. It is Malamud’s unique choice in language that portrays the necessity for redemption and renewal, a hint that all but the novel’s main character is able to perceive. The use of ellipses allows for a creative dichotomy in which the reader can draw parallels between the mistakes of Roy’s pre-shooting and post-shooting lives. The extensive use of symbolism also allows Malamud to show how Roy’s repeated mistakes come to haunt him, whether it be swinging for bad balls or choosing the wrong women. The fact that this novel is a roman a clef only aids in connecting this novel’s theme to the real world, as even the best of us are susceptible to human weaknesses. Yet Malamud’s subtle message is hidden behind the veil of America’s number one pastime, baseball. As stated by Jeffrey Saperstein, “What is ostensibly a story about winnings--hitting one out of the park--becomes a tale of apprenticeship and discipline—the much more difficult task of winning over