The Brothers Ashkenazi: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Brothers Ashkenazi" explores the complex relationships and struggles of the Ashkenazi family against the backdrop of early 20th-century Poland. The story centers around twin brothers Simcha Meyer and Jacob Bunim Ashkenazi, whose differing personalities and life choices propel them through a series of dramatic events marked by social upheaval and personal betrayal. Simcha is portrayed as a cunning and ambitious figure, leveraging his marriages and shrewdness to navigate various historical challenges, while Jacob, depicted as extroverted and charismatic, faces tragic consequences for his steadfastness to his beliefs.
Their father, Abraham Ashkenazi, is respected in their community, but the dynamics shift when Simcha schematically usurps his father's position. The narrative also follows key secondary characters, including Dinah, Simcha's wife who harbors feelings for Jacob, and Nissan, a once-promising student turned revolutionary, who ultimately confronts Simcha's manipulations. Themes of love, betrayal, and the impact of socio-political forces are woven throughout, presenting a rich tapestry of Jewish life during a tumultuous period. The interplay between personal ambition and the broader societal context adds depth to the characters’ journeys, making the story a poignant exploration of identity and resilience.
The Brothers Ashkenazi: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Israel Joshua Singer
First published: Di brider Ashkenazi, 1936 (English translation, 1936)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Poland
Plot: Historical realism
Time: Late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
Simcha Meyer Ashkenazi, the elder of twin brothers. A shrewd schemer, he advances in affluence through successive marriages and unscrupulous dealings. Later, though his fortune is not always spared, he does manage to survive various historical disasters: the trade-union movement, a pogrom against the Jews, World War I, and the Russian revolution.
Jacob Bunim Ashkenazi, his brother, who is popular and extroverted. His rise in the world results from his ebullience and popularity, and parallels Simcha's. At last, returning to Poland from Russia with Simcha, whom he has freed from jail by bribery, he is shot by anti-Jewish border guards because, unlike Simcha, he refuses to grovel and repudiate his religion.
Abraham Ashkenazi, their father, greatly respected in his town of Lodz in Poland. After Simcha connives succesfully to take over his father's position, Abraham counts Simcha among the dead.
Dinah Ashkenazi, Simcha's wife. In love with Jacob, she is betrothed to Simcha at thirteen. He divorces her to marry a rich widow.
Pearl Ashkenazi, Jacob's wife, who is too sickly to keep up with her vigorous husband. She divorces him.
Nissan, the son and pupil of a famous rabbi, and Simcha's fellow student. A reader of secular books, he is betrayed by Simcha and cast out by his father. He becomes a weaver and a revolutionary. Beaten in his capacity as strike leader by Simcha, he avenges himself in Russia after the revolution; his party confiscates Simcha's property.
Tevyeh, a weaver and a fanatical revolutionary. Simcha has him arrested and exiled along with Nissan.
Gertrude Ashkenazi, the daughter of Dinah and Simcha, and Jacob's second wife. He marries her because she reminds him of Dinah.
Ignatz Ashkenazi, Simcha's long-forgotten son. Simcha, returned from Russia and rebuilding his factory, induces Ignatz to come back from France. Simcha suspects darkly that Ignatz' French wife is not Jewish.
Huntze, the German owner of the biggest steam mill in Lodz. Abraham is Huntze's general agent until Huntze's death, after which Huntze's sons dismiss Abraham and appoint Simcha in his place, to repay a favor.