The Images Of The Jewish People Within - 1385 Words

Kayla Walcott Gwendolyn Guth English Quebec Writers October 29th 2014 The images of the Jewish people within are represented through the tainting of their culture through the use of negative stereotypes, but even more so by the descriptive examples of anti-Semitism and religious traditions. One of many mentioned stereotypes, is the perception that all Jews are wealthy one of the times that this is asserted is when it states, â€Å"If you got it right on your bar-mitzvah who knows but the rich uncle might buy you a Parker 51 set.† (Richler 28). The context of this is when a comparison between European and Jewish children is made, and because of the presumption that a Jewish boy would receive an expensive pen set from his uncle demonstrates†¦show more content†¦(...) Where supremely orthodox woman went once a month to purify themselves.† (53) This act of going to the ritual baths is accustom to Jewish culture and so shows how the traditions of the Jewish faith are represented within Discrimination towards the Jewish religion and ethnicity is evident within as several examples show the ignorance of others towards the Jews and is a reflection of how their community was seen by others. The influence that the racism has on the children becomes apparent through showing that they are accustom to it once they arrive at a public beach and see a soda stand when Hershey says, â€Å"Gas should go,† Hershey said. â€Å"He’s the least jewish looking of the gang.† (68). The children try to get their â€Å"Non-Jewish† looking friend to buy the drinks because they know they will be denied service by the vendor for being Jewish, this examples follows with the discovery of a sign stating that Jews are prohibited from swimming in the public area of the beach, and must swim in their designated area. The Jewish culture is symbolized through the contrast of the way in which they are not only how they are perceived negatively by others, but how they want to be perceived. The community acknowledges the stereotypes by somewhat