The Magician of Lublin: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Magician of Lublin: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and diverse backgrounds of key figures in the narrative surrounding Yasha Mazur, a traveling magician. Yasha, the central character, is a complex individual grappling with his identity as a Jewish acrobat who leads a double life filled with love affairs and moral dilemmas. His wife, Esther, embodies loyalty and devotion, striving to maintain their Jewish household despite her husband’s infidelities and her own heartache over her inability to have children.
The analysis also delves into Yasha's mistresses, each representing different social standings and emotional struggles. Magda Zbarski, his assistant, faces despair and jealousy, leading to tragic consequences. Zeftel Lekach, a peasant woman, sacrifices her stability for a chance at a life with Yasha, only to find herself ensnared in the underbelly of society. Emilia Chrabotzky, a former professor's wife, navigates her own challenges as a widowed mother, torn between her feelings for Yasha and her moral boundaries.
The character study reveals themes of love, betrayal, and the search for identity within the context of societal pressures. Through these relationships, the narrative reflects on the complexities of human emotion and the choices individuals make in pursuit of fulfillment.
The Magician of Lublin: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Isaac Bashevis Singer
First published: Der Kuntsnmakher fun Lublin, 1959 (English translation, 1960)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Poland
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: c. 1900
Yasha Mazur, a traveling acrobat and juggler, the protagonist. He is a short man, broad-shouldered, lean, blue-eyed, and clean-shaven, with a narrow chin and a short Slavic nose. He is forty years old but looks ten years younger. Yasha is considered rich by local standards. He is an escape artist and can pick any lock. He is Jewish but agnostic. He visits his wife only on high holidays. The rest of the time, he travels with his show and visits his three mistresses. Yasha is entirely self-taught, and his mother died when he was seven years old. He has many personalities, because there is always another role to play for his mistresses: religious, heretical, good or evil, false, and sincere. Although he is ready to renounce his religion, he cherishes and venerates any page torn from a holy book.
Esther, Yasha's wife of twenty years. She is forty years old, religious, small, and dark, with a youthful face. She is loyal and devoted to Yasha. She is unable to bear children and is distressed by this inability. She insists on maintaining a Jewish household, and Yasha does not interfere. Although she knows about her husband's infidelity, she tries to dissuade him from immuring himself. She takes up sewing to support herself and him.
Magda Zbarski, Yasha's assistant and mistress. She is in her late twenties, swarthy, and flat-chested. She lives with her mother Elzbieta and brother Bolek. Through Yasha, she is her family's sole support. Yasha sleeps with her in Elzbieta's house, and Elzbeita calls him “son.” Magda, jealous and desperate over Yasha's womanizing and his neglect of her, commits suicide.
Zeftel Lekach, the relatively young wife of the convicted thief Leibush, who escaped from prison but did not return to her. She is supported by a “pension” from a local gang of thieves. She is a plain peasant woman devoted to Yasha. She sells her belongings and moves to Warsaw to be near Yasha and to escape the boredom and drudgery of life in Piask. She falls into the hands of Herman, a pimp, and his sister, Rytza Miltz, who trade in girls to be lured to Buenos Aires as prostitutes. Herman divorces his wife and marries Zeftel. She and Herman operate one of the biggest brothels in Buenos Aires.
Emilia Chrabotzky, once the well-to-do wife of a professor, now impoverished, widowed, and Yasha's mistress. She is Polish, a Catholic, and pretty. She lives in Warsaw with her fourteen-year-old daughter, Halina. She refuses any physical relationship with Yasha until they are married. After Yasha leaves her, she marries a widowed professor. She writes Yasha a long letter after he has become famous and respected as a holy man. Among other things, she reports that Halina has been cured of her ailments.
Kazimierz Zaruski, a wealthy usurer and miser. His servant-maid and Yadwiga, Emilia's former servant-maid, know each other. He keeps his money in a big box in his rooms. He is asleep when Yasha enters his apartment to rob him. Yasha leaves behind a wadded sheet of paper that he had torn out of his notebook. It contains the names and addresses of prospective burglary victims as well as Emilia's name and address.