Study Guide for Bernard Malamud's "The Natural"

Bernard Malamud's "The Natural" is a classic American novel that tells the story of Roy Hobbs, a talented baseball player who is haunted by a mysterious curse. The novel explores themes of fate, destiny, and the American Dream, and it has been praised for its lyrical prose and insightful characters. This study guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the novel, including a summary, analysis, and discussion questions.

Summary

Roy Hobbs is a young baseball player with a prodigious talent. He is discovered by a scout for the New York Knights, and he quickly becomes one of the most promising players in the league. However, Roy's career is cut short when he is shot by a mysterious woman.

Roy spends the next 16 years in obscurity, working as a handyman and playing baseball in semi-pro leagues. However, he never gives up on his dream of playing in the major leagues. In 1951, Roy is given a second chance when he is signed by the Knights.

Study Guide for Bernard Malamud's The Natural (Course Hero Study Guides)

by S. L. Wallace

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1018 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	27 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Roy quickly regains his old form, and he leads the Knights to the pennant. However, the curse that has haunted him throughout his career strikes again, and he is seriously injured in a game against the Chicago Cubs.

Despite his injuries, Roy refuses to give up. He returns to the lineup and hits a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Knights the victory. However, Roy's triumph is short-lived. He is killed in a car accident shortly after the game.

Analysis

"The Natural" is a complex and multilayered novel that can be interpreted on many different levels. On one level, the novel is a story about the American Dream. Roy Hobbs is a talented young man who dreams of playing in the major leagues. He overcomes many obstacles to achieve his dream, but he is ultimately unable to escape the curse that has haunted him throughout his career.

The novel can also be interpreted as a fable about the nature of fate and destiny. Roy Hobbs is a man who is both blessed and cursed. He has a prodigious talent for baseball, but he is also haunted by a mysterious curse. The novel explores the tension between these two forces, and it ultimately suggests that fate is a powerful force that cannot be overcome.

Finally, the novel can also be interpreted as a meditation on the nature of heroism. Roy Hobbs is a flawed and complex character, but he is also a hero. He is a man who never gives up on his dreams, and he is willing to sacrifice everything for what he believes in.

Discussion Questions

1. How does Bernard Malamud use the character of Roy Hobbs to explore the American Dream?
2. What is the significance of the curse that haunts Roy Hobbs?
3. How does the novel explore the tension between fate and destiny?
4. What does the novel suggest about the nature of heroism?
5. How does the novel use baseball as a metaphor for life?

Bernard Malamud's "The Natural" is a classic American novel that has stood the test of time. The novel is a complex and multilayered work that can be interpreted on many different levels. It is a story about the American Dream, the nature of fate and destiny, and the nature of heroism. "The Natural" is a must-read for any fan of American literature.

Study Guide for Bernard Malamud's The Natural (Course Hero Study Guides)

by S. L. Wallace

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1018 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	27 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE