Focus
The 1940s were a time of drastic social changes throughout the world. Although World War II was centralized in Europe, its effects created a shockwave across America. American Jews faced persecution and anti-Semitism on a daily basis. While some Americans chose to support the Jews, the majority either kept quiet or joined hate groups like the Christian Front. As these hate-groups expanded and their power increased, Americans were forced to take sides. Some tried to ignore the social changes, many joined the masses, and then a few individuals stood up to the oppression. In Focus, Arthur Miller strives to portray the different attitudes and perspectives of Americans during this time of war. Miller uses the characters as representations of different groups all faced with the same problem of anti-Semitism. The main character, Newman, becomes a victim of anti-Semitism when he acquires a new pair of glasses. Gertrude, Fred and Finkelstein represent the various societal responses to his seemingly superficial, yet complex change. The author uses the main character, Lawrence Newman, as the focal point for anti-Semitism in his epic novel. It is through Newman's eyes that the hostile New York Jew-hating environment of the 1940's
" He feels almost threatened by these gripping words. " In essence, Newman becomes the Jew. Often times Fred would talk about eradicating the Jews from their neighborhood and it is clear that Newman agrees. From the beginning of the story, Newman begins to undergo a crucial transformation that will forever alter the way he looks at things. He dreads the idea of having to work in such an environment but really has no choice in the matter. " Newman tries to ignore the fact that a pair of glasses can instantaneously change his entire appearance, but he can't deny the reactions he gets from the rest of society. At first, Newman has no clue to why his world is unraveling. In a sense Newman transformed into a Jew, and consequently knows now what it feels like to be "the other" for the first time in his life. "Ultimately Newman undergoes a complete one hundred eighty-degree role reversal. Through this role reversal, Newman can no longer be the apathetic gentile, and he must decide whether to join the forces that threaten his life, or do what he feels is right, and resist conformity. But when Fred inquires whether or not he is willing to join the Christian front, Newman is hesitant. He can't understand how a simple pair of glasses can change how everybody perceives him. On a subway ride in the beginning of the story Newman reads graffiti on the walls, "Kikes started WAR. Everyone's reaction to his new glasses, including his own, brings about an extraordinary life-changing experience, where Newman must confront his worst fears. Newman works in one of the most biased corporations in New York as the head of personnel shows how people initially perceive Newman.
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Acceptance Essays
