The Only One In Town Analysis

How often do your morals truly influence your actions? In Jack Ansells "The only one in town", Marcus Greenbaum must make a decision that will have a huge impact on his life. This choice of whether or not to join the white citizens council, will define who he is as a Jew and more importantly, who he is as an individual. Mr Greenbaum and his wife Lillian are the only Jews in their small town of Twosboro making them distinctive from its other one thousand seven hundred thirty-five occupants. Among the others are white and African American communities who seem coexist harmoniously in their southern hometown despite the prominent social inequality. Marcus sympathizes with the people of color whereas his wife is more interested in blending in with …show more content…
Disregard the specific pros and cons that pertain to this particular instance and determine if a genuinely half decent individual would knowingly put others in harm's way. Marcus Greenbaum is an ideal example of this. Despite whatever the consequences were he chose not to endorse that appeal because he knew what it signified. His signature did not interfere with whether or not the white citizens cancel would proceed with their PLAN however it was a symbol of allegiance. The protagonist did not fail to demonstrate how he would stand up for what he believed in no matter the consequences. Marcus did not refuse to sign because he was seeking for praise from the Blacks. He was well aware that there would be none of that, nor would they probably ever hear about what he DID all together. Lilian mentioned upon their departure that "not even one of [his] previous shvartsahs to wish [them] goodbye". Marcus did not make the choice he did in the hopes for recognition, he did it out of the pure kindness of his heart and for the psychological health of his mental conscious. He is a good person and a good person would not sign it. The repercussions were horrible and his life may never be the same but deep down he understands it was worth it. There may have been two options, to sign or not to sign, yet for a guy with Marcus' qualities there was really only …show more content…
However, sympathizing with her is the wrong approach. Lilian was his wife and yes, he did not take her advice which contradicts the basic tenants of a healthy relationship. That being said, doing something that you know is wrong in order to please someone else is a much bigger offence. Lilians wish to blend in, blind sighted her personal set of morals and this issue is omnipresent in today's society as well. The husband and wife represent two different types of people in a situation, one obviously with more pride then the other. Marcus's choice makes it evident that his good morals out weigh any desire to proceed with his comfortable lifestyle. Whether it's your wife or your great-grandchild, you shouldn't let that person persuade you to stray from your code of ethics. Say it wasn't Marcus' wife, it could have been one of the neighbours that was badgering him to sign it, should he have listened then? The stake should not and did not dissuade him from seeing what truly was the right choice. He could have taken her advice and listened, he could have kept his store and pleased his spouse, but it was wrong and he knew