Herzog: Analysis of Major Characters
**Overview of "Herzog: Analysis of Major Characters"**
"Herzog," a novel by Saul Bellow, features a rich tapestry of characters primarily revolving around Moses Elkanah Herzog, a disillusioned professor grappling with personal crises and existential questions. At 47 years old, Herzog, who comes from a lineage of Russian Jewish immigrants, is depicted as an idealistic thinker burdened by his responsibilities toward civilization while struggling with his own instability and relationships. His interactions with his ex-wives, Madeleine and Daisy, reveal his tumultuous romantic life; Madeleine, a domineering figure, navigates her life with confidence, while Daisy embodies the challenges of conventional domesticity. The narrative also includes Ramona Donsell, Herzog’s mistress, who provides a maternal presence, contrasting with the complexities of his past relationships. Supporting characters like the affable but conflicted Valentine Gersbach and the pragmatic attorney Sandor Himmelstein illustrate the varied social landscapes Herzog traverses, each influencing his journey. Other friends, like zoologist Lucas Asphalter, add layers of humor and reflection to Herzog’s existential musings. Overall, the character analysis reveals a profound exploration of human relationships, identity, and the quest for meaning in an increasingly chaotic world.
Herzog: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Saul Bellow
First published: 1964
Genre: Novel
Locale: New York City, Chicago, Ludeyville, and the Berkshires
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: The early 1960's
Moses Elkanah Herzog, an unemployed American professor and intellectual whose major interest is the history of ideas. He is forty-seven years old, with a lined face and graying hair. Descended from Russian Jewish immigrants who were notably unsuccessful in the United States, he has lost his direction in life and spends his time writing letters—which he does not intend to mail—to friends, acquaintances, celebrities, and leaders, past and present. These letters combine his thoughts on a wide variety of subjects including science, philosophy, psychology, world affairs, and human relationships. An idealist, he feels an intense responsibility for civilization and progress, to the degree that he pays little heed to his surroundings or daily living. He finds himself involved in a custody fight for his daughter June against his former wife Madeleine. Somewhat unstable and afflicted with hypochondria, he is passionate, energetic, impulsive, and highly emotional.
Madeleine (Mady) Pontritter Herzog, Herzog's domineering second wife, from whom he is divorced. Her blue eyes, long straight nose, and slender neck give her a classical appearance. Her dark hair is tied in a bun behind, with bangs in front. She exudes self-assurance and exhibits a sense of style. Her adroit handling of Herzog causes him to accept her decisions as if they were mutual.
Daisy Herzog, Herzog's first wife and the mother of his son Marco. She is a conventional Jewish woman with green eyes, golden hair, and clear skin. She is at times shy and stubborn. Herzog reflects that he treated her badly.
Ramona Donsell, a divorced businesswoman, owner of a flower shop, and formerly Herzog's student, who became his mistress. An attractive woman in her late thirties who received her early education in Switzerland, she is an excellent cook and is basically maternal. Although short and full-figured, she has an attractive throat and holds her head high. Brown-eyed with black hair and slightly bowed legs, she is both passionate and energetic.
Valentine (Val) Gersbach, a friend of the Herzogs who became Madeleine's lover and persuaded her to leave Moses. He is a large, middle-aged man with brown eyes, flaming red hair, a thick face, heavy jaws, and one wooden leg. A former radio announcer and disk jockey, he possesses strong masculine tenderness.
Phoebe Gersbach, Valentine's wife. She is brown-eyed, middle-aged, and attractive. Her personality reflects her domesticity, and her dress and manner suggest that she might have been head nurse.
Sandor Himmelstein, a Chicago attorney who represents Herzog in his custody case. A short man, stooped because of a war wound in his chest, he has a proud, sharp, handsome face; a prominent nose; thin gray hair; and sallow skin. A tough negotiator with a confrontational manner, he gives his client blunt advice.
Willie (Will) Herzog, Herzog's successful, conventional elder brother. He provides bail when Herzog is arrested on a weapons charge and gives sympathetic but unaccepted advice that Herzog spend a few weeks in a mental hospital for rest.
Sono Oguki, Herzog's tenderhearted and compliant Japanese mistress after his breakup with his first wife. She has black eyes and a small mouth. She brings him the comforts of excellent cooking, fine music, and luxurious baths. Never having learned English, she converses with him in French.
Lucas (Luke) Asphalter, an old Chicago friend of Herzog. He is a zoologist at the University of Chicago who never completed his doctorate. Nearly bald, he has heavy arched eyebrows and wears crepe-soled shoes. His attempt to revive his pet monkey, Rocco, with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation alarmed Herzog, because the monkey had tuberculosis.