The Pinch: A Tale of Jewish Self-Determination Steve Stern weaves a mystical-historical tale of “The Pinch”, a small area in the north of downtown Memphis populated by Jews. Stories within the story, a theme begins to rise: although life may appear as preordained or on a certain trajectory, one can chart another course. It is the theme of self-determination. Subsequently, as a reader of Steve Stern’s book, one is taken back and forth in time and given detailed background stories about several characters in the Pinch. There are external forces at work influencing the characters’ lives, telling them how they should live or die, the roles they need to play, their status they must endure, but ultimately they have a choice to overcome their
…show more content…
The irony of this moment in Lenny’s mind is compared to “Moses receiving the Torah in which he reads the story of Moses receiving the Torah …” As the story unfolds, one realizes the timeline is irrelevant. The bigger meaning is self-determination; the theme arises in every time period. Characters in any era prove their penchant for survival, determined to have a future and to shape their destiny against all odds. Some undergo near death experiences, or survive in remote situations, and others go beyond anyone’s expectations including their …show more content…
Their children are not aging, and there is no need for food or money, however life in the small Jewish community relatively continues under the same social mores and expectations. This is where Stern was able to epitomize the small southern town, Jewish trade stores, and the entrepreneurial spirit. The characters are the same people they have always been, their usual courtesies, still running their shops, gossiping, projecting certain expectations on others. Within this location outside of time or inside an alternate reality, the absurdity of the status quo is also mocked. One couple’s infant was swapped with some sort of mythical underling. The couple continues to dote on the toddler as their own, while neighbors talk behind their backs and give the evil eye. The town delinquent continues his thievery despite any need for material possessions. The author uses this tale to showcase some of the thinking and cultural expectations within the Jewish community as well as the
The irony of this moment in Lenny’s mind is compared to “Moses receiving the Torah in which he reads the story of Moses receiving the Torah …” As the story unfolds, one realizes the timeline is irrelevant. The bigger meaning is self-determination; the theme arises in every time period. Characters in any era prove their penchant for survival, determined to have a future and to shape their destiny against all odds. Some undergo near death experiences, or survive in remote situations, and others go beyond anyone’s expectations including their …show more content…
Their children are not aging, and there is no need for food or money, however life in the small Jewish community relatively continues under the same social mores and expectations. This is where Stern was able to epitomize the small southern town, Jewish trade stores, and the entrepreneurial spirit. The characters are the same people they have always been, their usual courtesies, still running their shops, gossiping, projecting certain expectations on others. Within this location outside of time or inside an alternate reality, the absurdity of the status quo is also mocked. One couple’s infant was swapped with some sort of mythical underling. The couple continues to dote on the toddler as their own, while neighbors talk behind their backs and give the evil eye. The town delinquent continues his thievery despite any need for material possessions. The author uses this tale to showcase some of the thinking and cultural expectations within the Jewish community as well as the