Angel Levine

Malamud's "Angel" has often been connected with the Biblical story of Job. If you're unfamiliar with the story, the Jewish Encyclopedia offers a summary of the book of Job, and Bible Gateway offers the full text. From what you know if the story, what are the connections between the situations of Job and Manischevitz? What do you think Malamud's purpose is in making the link between the two stories?


From what I know, Job was an wealthy and well off man. He was also really close to God. Satan attempted to prove that he could cause Job to sin and God allowed him to do what ever he needed besides the fact that Satan could not threaten Job's life. God new that Job's faith could not be broken or swayed. So Satan caused the things in Job's life to go crazy. He lost his family. They died. He lost all his wealth. Things were awful but never did Job stray. He question and asked God why he deserved it but never left from the heart and protection of God.

I feel that this short story is similar because Mr. M (Manischevitz) was great and had a family and his own events. An serious of events started to occur and he lost his business due to a fire. His son died in the war. His daughter ran off with a man. His wife got deathly ill and even his own health diminished. He was faithful. He prayed in the beginning. He asked why. An black angel appeared and he went back and forth on believing if this ordeal was possible. He leaned toward believing God has been absent toward his problems and life but he never completely gave up. He recieved encouragement from some boys at the synagogue and eventually things panned out and he realized he never left out of the will and plans of God.

Blessings~