Critical Response To The Natural Essay

Everyone is a literary critic in their own sense, furthermore; everyone has his or her own experiences that shape their individual lives. These experiences change how they may perceive a specific situation. The varying perceptions of a book is part of what makes critical analysis important as no two people will have identical thoughts after reading a particular piece of literature. The novel The Natural by Bernard Malamud is one such novel in which people perceive various situations the main character, Roy Hobbs, is in. There are three main critical response that are associated with the novel. The first is he contemporary viewpoint that many critics had in 1952 when the novel was released. The second occurred after the release of the film adapted

version in 1984. The final involves the modern critical analysis of the book. Each analysis has, in its own right, a different foundation to which it follows.
In 1952 Bernard Malamud had his first claim to fame with the release of the novel The Natural.

His new book followed a pretentious character, Roy Hobbs, who seemingly possessed all the skills necessary to become an iconic baseball player. This rise was put to rest after a near fatal gun shot to the stomach stopped him from becoming a player for the Chicago Cubs (27). Most critics agree Malamud gained the inspiration for this from the shooting of the Yankees first basemen, Eddie Whitcrys.(CITE). This is only the first instance in which Roy Hobbs falls victim to the woes of women. Malamud's idea of placing this tragedy at the start of the story foreshadowed what the reader would later interpret one of the major character flaws in Roy Hobbs

(CITE).
Modern Critics agree Malamud created a plot in which the characters where easily disliked as many of them possessed traits that are considered undesirable. For example, the character Memo is a shallow, self absorbed wretch who appears to use people for profit. Memo woes, the main character, Roy to his demise. In this many critiques see this as the classic Greeko-Roman myth that relates to the siren and the ship. A siren is a mythical creature that lies on jagged rocks singing an irresistible tune. This tune draws those who are listening to it closer and eventually to their tragic death when the ship strikes the rocks. Some literary analyzers claim these ancient mythological beings is where Malamud drew inspiration for Roy and his uncontrollable desire for specific women. Roy is in love with Memo, or rather the idea of Memo and he is willing to destroy his career in order to be with her. Most critics are in agreement with Memo's role in the downfall of Roy. Moreover, a small number of critics claim there is a hierarchy of roles with Roy, Memo, Gus, and the Judge. These critics believe the Judge is determined to gain full ownership of the Knights. They believe Gus is manipulated by the Judge who, in turn, makes Memo manipulate Roy into intentionally losing the final game (CTP). This theory is truly unfounded as there is not any solid evidence that could prove this case other than the Judge only controls a percentage of the team.

In the legend of Fisher King, the king was wounded as a child, moreover; the kings health has a direct connection with the health of the land.

Percival is a young knight who is on a quest, from King Author, to find the holy grail, when he arrives in the castle of the Fisher King. The only thing that is able to heal the king is the holy grail and in the end Percival was able to heal the king. Malamud's The Natural follows a similar story with several reference to King Author and the knights of the round table. Most literary critics are able to see that the team name and Pop Fisher's name are direct reference to Fisher King. However, only some are in agreement that Roy is Percival and the holy grail is the pennant. These few critics claim when Roy wins he is, in affect, bringing Pop closer to the pennant or rather the holy grail.(CITE) Roy's first hit as a member of the Knights is also seen as a correlation to the Fisher King legend. When Roy strikes the first pitch a crack of thunder erupts in the desolate sky bringing with it rain that lasts for several days.(CITE) This rain cures the knights field and brings it back to its green glory. Another connection some make between the character Percival and Roy is there desire for fame and glory. Roy is obsessed with “being one of the greatest baseball players of all time” and eve proclaims it to both Harriet and Iris (CITW 23). Percival is the same way as he is willing to do anything in order to become a true

knight.