The major themes of this story from Bernard Malamud are violence, ethnic cleansing, war, racism, and compromised morals. Increasing tension between Jewish grocer Morris and German small-goods provider Gus mirrors unfolding events in Eastern Europe in the lead up to France’s surrender in World War Two. Morris, who witnessed the violent Russian pogroms against his people, is concerned the same will happen in France. Fascist-leaning Gus believes the invasion is justified because of France’s poor treatment of Germany following World War One. However, neither party feels strongly enough to terminate their business relationship for fear of losing money.
On another level, Malamud may be making a statement about freedom of speech and racism in America. Morris and Gus had once nearly been friends and, despite their extreme differences over the war, were initially able to peacefully talk about it with each other. Ironically, Morris’s son Leonard developed a sinat chinam (baseless hatred) of Gus, driving them apart, and it is Morris who almost escalates the conflict to violence.
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