Chapter+One

Paul, Brett, and Jim

Chapter 1: Vote for Lindbergh or Vote for War //June 1940-October 1940//


 * Chapter One Summary:** This chapter begins by introducing Charles Lindergh, aviation hero, and states that him becoming president of the United States is terrible for the Jews. Then Philip Roth, author of this book and narrator, of age 7 goes on to talk about his mother of age 36 and brother Sandy of age 12. He speaks of how his mother is a very hard worker and of how Sandy has a talent for drawing. Then Phil goes on to tell us about himself, stating that he has a great stamp collection and is inspired by the current president Roosevelt. Then Phil continues introducing us by describing where he lives and what the neighborhood is like. He once again mentions that the neighborhood has just Jews, his school is all Jews, and that once Lindbergh was elected everything changed. As we continue, Phil tells us of Lindbergh's background. He mentions his herioc flight and how his child was kidnapped and killed by a German ex-con. He continues telling us of how Lindbergh became more fond of Nazi Germany and Hitler himself. After that he explains that his father was offered a promotion and eventually denied it because the city which they would have been transfered to didn't have many Jews, so they would be the only Jews in school and the neighborhood. Next, Phil goes back to telling us of how things are in Europe and how the start of World War 2 is coming. Then talks about Lindbergh's speech against Jews and how he is nominated for president after just showing up at the Republican Convention. This announcement over the radio sparks rage throughout the entire Jewish community. Then Phil comes to introduce yet another character, Walter Winchell, who talks out against the type of people like Lindbergh, so he is someone of great respect for the Jews. Once again Phil tells us of his collection of stamps and his brother Sandy's drawings. He goes into detail of some of each of their collections. Then as the election continues Alvin, Phil's cousin, is introduced and FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt) is nominated for the democrats. Lindbergh and Roosevelt start their campaigns, but Lindbergh uses a different strategy of flying across the U.S. campaigning, which is a brand new campaigning technique. Using his flights as an attraction, one that turns out to be very popular. As his campaign conitnues he meets with Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf who will be with him for a few days. At the end of the campaign the Rabbi gives his support to Lindbergh, which is a devastating blow to Jews and others who oppose Lindbergh. Lindbergh uses only one or two lines in his campaign and the main one is "Vote for me or vote for war." With the speech by the Rabbi, Lindbergh was almost guaranteed a victory over Roosevelt. Finally this chapter ends with Phil telling us a nightmare he had about his stamp collection and how the name Washington on his stamps were changed to Hitler and the stamps had swastikas on them.


 * Chapter One Analysis:** This chapter is chalked full of foreshadowing, from the opening paragraph to the last paragraph. In the beginning of the chapter it eludes to the dangers and negative effects that will occur against the Jews because of the Presidency of Lindbergh. His pride of FDR shows that the loss of him as the President is a significant blow to the Jewish population. The constant mentioning of the neighborhood being just Jews would elude to the fact that the Jews are targeted by the government and are not a large part of the world's population. That shows that the Jews are really singled out compared to people of other religions. As Phil starts to describe the background of Lindbergh, one can help being said for the loss of their child and then very surprised at his interest in Nazi Germany the country of his babies killer. This as it goes further into how Lindbergh is a very big fan of Hitler and of antisemitism the danger to the Jews that this president poses grows much higher. Also the section about his heroic flight shows that this event is very important to the citizens of the U.S. and is the basis of all of the power that Lindbergh possesses. When Phillips dad decides not to move to a non-Jewish neighborhood and deny a promotion leads the reader to believe that the Roth's think things will get much worse and that they will tend to oppose change, which will play a key role in chapters to come. Members of the Jewish community scream out "Hitler in America," and "Fascim in America." This is a result of Lindberg not mentioning the Jews in his his acceptance speech. This shows that the Jewish community is really freaking out and taking into account all the possible reasons why Lindberg is not a good president. There is large panic from the election of Lindberg through out the community. The radio announcement is also a very important part of this chapter. It shows that one simple statement turns the Jewish Community in an almost animalistic form, in which they let their feelings run raw. This apparently surprises Phillip because he has never seen the community act like this. Another example of the Roth's hate towards Lindy was that there was word around town that Lindy had crashed a plane. They were exctited to hear the news if Lindberg was dead or not. I believe that they would of wanted to see him dead because they didn't want him as president. Now when it comes to the character of Walter Winchell you know he is important for many reasons. One, he is one of the only people to publicly oppose Lindbergh and his antisemitism and two, he is a man with lots of respect so he is quite powerful. One might even believe that he might be the answer to defeating Lindbergh. Also, in this chapter Alvin becomes an important character to Phil. Alvin wants to go into the Canadian Army so he can fight against Hitler with the British. Alvin becomes important because Phil really looks up to his cousin Alvin. He wants to be like him and thinks Alvin is a good role model. Unfortunately for Phil, this changes later in the book when Alvin becomes injured in the war and is sent home. Phil stops looking up to Alvin because he notices that he really wasn't that great after all. He smelled bad and had his leg blown off. Phil doesn't think that this gives Alvin good qualities of being a role model. Now when it comes to the submission of the Rabbi to Lindbergh, this provides a monumental change in how the events of the book will occur. Instead of fighting to resist the presidency and changes of Lindbergh, the Jews will slowly but surely be lulled into a sense of security and come to embrace the new changes. This can only bode badly for the Jews later in the book. Also, with a superpower like the Rabbi behind him, Lindbergh's plans will be much more easier to accomplish and he has a way to communicate and persuade the Jewish population through only one man. The importance of the Rabbi giving a speech in favor of Lindberg is that the public sees that there are important people that agree with Lingberg. This can have a big effect on the public becuase they see great people agreeing with someone like Lindberg, which leads them to believe that Lindberg is correct and a good candidate. In fact, the Rabbi's speech is so good that public believes tat there is no way that Roosevelt can win. With the Rabbi on Lindberg's side there is no chance for Roosevelt. Last, Phil's nightmare has a very important meaning. It shows the feelings that all the Jews have twords Lindberg. Washington, one America's greatest leaders ever, has been replaced by the face of Hitler. This compares to the presidential change from Roosevelt to Lindberg. Jews are scared that Lindberg will become the Hitler of America and will punish the Jews. Overall, this chapter has a lot of foreshadowing for the rest of the events that are to come in later chapters.