Act of Faith by Irwin Shaw
"Act of Faith" by Irwin Shaw is a poignant narrative set in the aftermath of World War II, focusing on Sergeant Norman Seeger and his camaraderie with fellow soldiers Olson and Welch. The trio, having survived significant battles, is eager to enjoy a weekend in Paris but struggles financially. Seeger, who has earned respect from his peers despite his noncommissioned rank due to his bravery and past actions, faces a moral dilemma when it comes to selling his Luger pistol, a weapon tied to his traumatic experiences in battle.
The story unfolds as Seeger receives a troubling letter from his father about his brother Jacob's mental state, which evokes Seeger's own memories of anti-Semitism and the complexity of their shared Jewish identity in the context of war. As he reflects on the sacrifices made by his friends and the broader implications of identity, he ultimately decides to part with the Luger, realizing its significance pales in comparison to the bonds of friendship and the experiences he has endured. The narrative encapsulates themes of loyalty, trauma, and the struggle for identity amidst the backdrop of a post-war Europe grappling with its recent past.
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Act of Faith by Irwin Shaw
First published: 1946
Type of plot: Social realism
Time of work: Summer of 1945, immediately after the surrender of Germany
Locale: France
Principal Characters:
Norman Seeger , the protagonist, a twenty-one-year-old Jewish sergeant in the U.S. ArmyOlson , andWelch , his friends, both army privatesSeeger's father , an economics professor in OhioCaptain Taney , Seeger's commanding officer
The Story
The war in Europe is recently over. Sergeant Norman Seeger and his friends, having survived the Normandy invasion at Omaha Beach and the capture of Strasbourg from the Germans, are struggling to collect enough money to enjoy their weekend passes to Paris. Olson and the taciturn Welch hold Seeger in considerable esteem. Seeger has won the Purple Heart at Saint Lo and, despite his youth, Olson affectionately refers to him as "Mon vieux." Likewise, both Olson and Welch call him "Sir"; they know that Seeger's noncommissioned status does not warrant the title but believe that his experience and valor do. A remark by Olson reveals that Seeger has saved the lives of his comrades. When a young second lieutenant who is obviously untested by battle passes the three friends, Olson stares him down and offers no salute. It is thus that the two "kids" in the threesome put their trust in Seeger to get a loan against their late pay from Captain Taney.
When Seeger can only put together two hundred francs, the three men are at a loss to locate adequate funds, until Welch remembers that Luger pistols taken from German soldiers are going at nearly premium prices; he can get sixty-five dollars for Seeger's Luger if Seeger will part with it. Both young men recognize that Seeger may not want to surrender the pistol, but they cannot appreciate the value of the Luger to Seeger, who took it from an SS major whom he killed at close quarters in Coblenz. Seeger has five hours in which to measure the value of the weapon against the importance of going to Paris.
As Seeger struggles to make his decision, he receives a letter from his father, who is anguishing over his other son Jacob's break with reality, brought on not so much by the boy's leg wounds taken at Metz as by Jacob's having recently "devoured . . . concentration camp reports." The father cannot dismiss Jacob's fear that a bazooka-armed mob is coming after Jews. He has been experiencing antagonism toward American Jews and indifference to those brutalized in Europe.
The letter unleashes Seeger's repressed memories of his own experiences with anti-Semitism—which he encountered even as soldiers were hitting the beaches at Normandy for the last great assault on Hitler's armies. Most strikingly, he recalls an old Jewish couple who were amazed that he was both a Jew and powerfully armed in the service of their liberation. These memories and the old couple's belief in him and his Garand rifle magnify the burden of selling his Luger. He resolves the dilemma in an ostensibly simple fashion, asking Olson and Welch what they think of Jews. Olson's response and Welch's concurrence end Seeger's turmoil, "Jews? . . . What're they?" This retort helps Seeger to put other memories in perspective, recollections of how his casual pals unhesitatingly put themselves in harm's way for him, risking their lives without question for a friend and comrade in arms. Finally, Seeger gives up the Luger with an ease that masks the agonizing he has gone through: "What could I use it for in America?"