The Tenants of Moonbloom: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Tenants of Moonbloom" is a novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of individuals living on the margins of society. The protagonist, Norman Moonbloom, is a thirty-three-year-old Jewish man grappling with feelings of failure as he manages his brother's deteriorating tenement buildings. A kind-hearted yet sensitive individual, Norman faces the harsh realities of being a rent collector who must navigate the difficult dynamics with his tenants, who reflect a wide spectrum of human suffering, including poverty, illness, and loss.
Irwin Moonbloom, Norman's older brother, embodies the archetypal slumlord, focused solely on profit while neglecting the needs of the tenants. This creates a significant conflict for Norman, who feels the weight of both his tenants’ hardships and his brother's greed. The character of Gaylord Knight, the African American building superintendent, adds another layer to the narrative, illustrating the systemic issues of race and economic exploitation. Other tenants, such as Basellecci, an elderly language teacher facing terminal illness, and Karloff, a neglected elderly immigrant, further highlight the diverse experiences of those living in the tenements.
Through his interactions with these characters, Norman undergoes a profound transformation that leads him to embrace a more altruistic approach to life and to take action in improving the living conditions of his tenants. Ultimately, "The Tenants of Moonbloom" serves as a poignant exploration of empathy, human connection, and the struggle for dignity in the face of adversity.
The Tenants of Moonbloom: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Edward Lewis Wallant
First published: 1963
Genre: Novel
Locale: New York City
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: Early 1960's
Norman Moonbloom, a thirty-three-year-old Jew who manages four small, deteriorating tenement buildings owned by his brother. Norman feels like a failure. A kindly, introverted, studious type, he is not cut out to be a businessman but was never comfortable as a student. During fourteen years at the University of Wisconsin, McGill University, the University of Mexico, and Bowdoin College, he tried accounting, art, literature, dentistry, rabbinical studies, and podiatry before becoming his brother's overworked, underpaid agent. Every week, Norman goes around collecting the rents in cash. He and his brother are violating rent control laws by overcharging for scarce accommodations, and they give receipts for less than the tenants pay. Because Norman is exploiting the tenants, he does not want to get friendly with them. Whenever he shows kindness or sympathy, someone takes it for weakness and begins making demands. Norman knows the buildings are falling apart, but his brother allows him only enough to pay for minimal maintenance. The tenants have no respect for Norman; some insult or ridicule him. In spite of himself, he becomes involved with the lives of many tenants. In his eyes, they begin to represent all of suffering humanity. He sees old age, disease, alcoholism, thwarted ambition, grief over the loss of a child, unemployment, marital strife, physical and psychological abuse, and the debilitating fears that haunt most people who live on the edge of poverty. Some were prisoners in World War II Nazi concentration camps and have identification numbers tattooed on their arms. Eventually, Norman experiences a physical and mental breakdown from feeling torn between the conflicting demands of his tenants and those of his greedy brother. When Norman recovers, he is a different person. With the grudging assistance of Gaylord, the maintenance man, Norman begins renovating all four buildings. To economize, he contributes his own labor and even spends $2,000 of his own savings. He begins to have normal human relationships with his tenants. The experience of being useful to others and of being an integral part of humanity makes him feel more content with his role in life than he has ever felt before.
Irwin Moonbloom, Norman's older brother and his employer. He never appears in person but is continually telephoning to complain. Irwin is a typical slumlord interested only in money. He makes the hypersensitive Norman's life miserable by forcing him to squeeze money out of the tenants while refusing to allocate any money for such badly needed services as plumbing repair, elevator maintenance, cockroach and rodent control, painting, lighting, carpeting, and repairs to obsolete heating and cooking appliances. Irwin's character is the exact opposite of his brother's. Irwin, who might be described as a social Darwinist, is blinded by greed and considers his kindly brother to be a useless dreamer doomed to be a hopeless failure.
Gaylord Knight, the African American building superintendent who is responsible for the upkeep of Irwin's properties. He feels doomed to be exploited and confined to menial jobs because of his race. He is understandably determined to do as little as possible for the miserable wages he receives and to try to get as much enjoyment out of life as he can. Irwin regards him as lazy and shiftless without considering that Gaylord has little incentive to work hard and is actually holding down a second part-time job as an elevator operator to make ends meet. Eventually, Gaylord is inspired by Norman's example to find self-fulfillment in helping other people rather than bemoaning his fate.
Basellecci, a cultured old gentleman who makes a bare living teaching his beloved native Italian language. He is dying of cancer of the colon but imagines that his constipation is the result of the terrible condition of his apartment's ancient toilet. His politeness and forbearance make Norman feel especially guilty and help to precipitate the rent collector's dramatic change of character.
Karloff, a powerful Russian-Jewish immigrant who has finally given up the struggle for existence at the age of 104. He speaks garbled English and Yiddish and feigns inability to understand his neighbors' complaints about the roaches and mice he attracts with his atrocious living habits. His abominable apartment is Norman's greatest nightmare and the first unit that Norman and Gaylord attack with detergent, paint, and insecticide.
Sheryl Beeler, a lusty young blonde who seduces Norman in an attempt to get a reduction in her rent. Norman's sexual initiation, although sordid, gives him self-confidence and the ability to love, which inspire him to rebel against Irwin and begin his campaign of building renovation.