Study Notes on The First Seven Years by Bernard Malamud

The First Seven Years

Author

  • Written by Bernard Malamud, originally published in Partisan Review (September–October 195) and collected in The Magic Barrel (1958).

Characters

  • Feld: The shoemaker, characterized by practical thinking and a longing for his daughter to have a better life.

  • Sobel: Feld's assistant, a Polish refugee and a bookish individual who works for low wages; he harbors feelings for Miriam.

  • Miriam: Feld's daughter, who has ambitions for independence and is reluctant to pursue higher education.

  • Max: A college student, the son of a peddler, who Feld hopes will take an interest in Miriam.

Plot Summary

  1. Introduction
       - Feld reflects on his life and is annoyed by Sobel's pounding while he tries to reminisce about his past in Poland amidst the falling snow.
       - Feld admires Max for his commitment to education, contrasting it with Miriam's disinterest in college, despite her reading habits.

  2. Feld's Aspirations for Miriam
       - Feld wishes to introduce Max to Miriam, considering it an opportunity that should not be missed.
       - He believes that a meeting would be beneficial for Miriam and may inspire her to seek education or marry someone educated.

  3. First Meeting
       - Max arrives with shoes needing repair, and Feld seizes the moment to introduce the idea of Max meeting his daughter.
       - Max expresses interest and requests to see a picture of Miriam before agreeing to meet her.
       - Feld informs Max about the shoe repair cost, which he awkwardly undervalues to encourage good will.

  4. Sobel's Departure and Concerns
       - After an embarrassing incident at work leads Sobel to storm out, Feld worries about the state of his business without him.
       - Despite Sobel’s low wages, Feld respects him and acknowledges his reliability.
       - Feld's thoughts obsess over the budding relationship between Miriam and Max, wishing them well.

  5. Miriam's Date with Max
       - Feld becomes excited as he learns Miriam agreed to a second date with Max.
       - He eventually finds out that Max is studying accountancy and becomes reassured by this news.    

  6. Miriam's Disappointment
       - After the date, Miriam expresses that she found Max boring and purely materialistic - a shock to Feld's hopes.
       - Miriam specifies that she does not feel he has a soul and is disinterested in pursuing a relationship further.

  7. Max's Withdrawal
       - After their encounter, Max avoids the shoemaker's store, which deeply disappoints Feld.
       - The relationship remains unfulfilled, and the absence of contact grows painful for Feld.

  8. Health Issues and Seeking Sobel
       - Following a heart attack, Feld reflects on hiring a new assistant in Sobel's absence while contemplating pulling Sobel back into the fold.
       - He ultimately decides to seek Sobel out upon his return to health, recognizing the need for his old assistant.

  9. Sobel's Declaration
       - The shoemaker confronts Sobel about his feelings for Miriam, leading to a powerful revelation of Sobel's love for her.
       - Sobel expresses frustration at Feld’s meddling in his relationship with Miriam, asserting that he had sacrificed for her sake.

  10. A Father’s Dilemma
       - Feld struggles to accept Sobel's feelings for Miriam, seeing the age difference and unrealistic expectations.
       - In a moment of compromise, Feld states they should wait until Miriam is at least twenty-one, acknowledging Sobel's devotion quietly.

  11. Resolution
       - Feld's emotional struggle winds down as he sees Sobel back at work, pounding leather, suggesting a return to normalcy yet laced with unresolved tensions regarding the future.

Themes

  • Education and Aspiration: The contrast between Miriam's rejection of formal education and Max's pursuit highlights societal expectations and personal desires.

  • Love and Sacrifice: Sobel's hidden love presents a complex emotional narrative about sacrifice and the blurry lines of class and aspiration in relationships.

  • Generational Conflicts: Feld represents a traditional perspective, longing for a bright future for his daughter, while Miriam seeks independence, signaling a rift in values.

Symbolism

  • Snow: Represents both a nostalgic memory of Feld's past and the coldness of the current interactions, signifying lost opportunities and dreams.

  • Shoes: Symbolize both Feld’s livelihood and the burdens of his daughter’s expectations and the relationships he is trying to foster.

Ethical Considerations

  • Parental Responsibility: Feld grapples with his obligations to guide Miriam while respecting her independence, raising questions about how much parents should influence their children’s choices.

  • Worker's Rights: Sobel’s low wage and dedication also present issues surrounding labor, exploitation, and appreciation within a community context.

Concluding Thoughts

  • Feld’s internal conflicts and desires ultimately reveal a poignant exploration of love, ambition, and generational differences in a nuanced, deeply felt narrative that reflects the complexities of immigrant life and aspirations.