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of Malamud's characters treat others with a rabbinical harshness,
though one detached from any conception of a sacramental life or,
for that matter, a clear moral intention. They habitually ward off in–
timacy and often give the appearance of performing archaic rites
that they have long since ceased to understand. A textbook approach
to their "problem" might call them compulsive-neurotics, for they are
case studies of conscience gone haywire.
In a Malamud story, conscience beyond an individual's need or
capacity or right to do good propels the argument. In "Take Pity,"
Rosen recites to a census-taker in heaven the tale of his failures at
charity toward the wife of a grocery store owner. She would not heed
his advice to liquidate the store; she refused his offer of a place to
stay when the store went bankrupt; she recoiled at his proposal of
marriage; she returned money anonymously given, knowing it was
from Rosen . But, determined Rosen, '']
will give."
"I went then to my lawyer and we made out a will that
everything I had - all my investments, my two houses that I
owned, also furniture, my car, the checking account - every cent
would go to her, and when she died, the rest would be left for the
two girls. The same with my insurance. They would be my
beneficiaries. Then I signed and went home. In the kitchen I
turned on the gas and put my head in the stove."
"Let her say no now."
This is charity unto death. By what right does Rosen impose
these unwanted gifts upon the unwilling widow? And by what law of
self-reliance does she so obdurately decline what is offered her solely
out of love? Both Rosen and the Widow Kalish are stark examples of
a Hebraism so advanced, so unleavened by reflection or sweetness
and light as to be the literal death of one and the spiritual death of
the other.
Davidov, scratching his stubbled cheek, nodded . . .. He
got up and, before Rosen could cry no, idly raised the window
shade.
It was twilight in space but a woman stood before the
window.
Rosen with a bound was off his cot to see.
It was Eva, staring at him with haunted beseeching eyes.
She raised her arms to him.
Infuriated, the ex-salesman shook his fist.
