The Human StainThe Human Stain

Philip RothPhilip Roth

ConferenceConference

Philip Roth’s writing technique and the Philip Roth’s writing technique and the genre of the book.genre of the book.

Roth’s characters.Roth’s characters. What is the Human Stain?What is the Human Stain? The power of a secret.The power of a secret. The social implications of the ‘Human The social implications of the ‘Human

Stain.’Stain.’

Writing TechniqueWriting Technique

Last week we talked about the similarities Last week we talked about the similarities between Philip Roth and Henry James...between Philip Roth and Henry James...

Philip Roth covers a conversation from Philip Roth covers a conversation from every angle. (pg 80-81).every angle. (pg 80-81).

Changing narrators (pg 155).Changing narrators (pg 155). Conscious stream (pg 154).Conscious stream (pg 154). The genre of the book: Fiction/Non-The genre of the book: Fiction/Non-

Fiction.Fiction.

The PlotThe Plot

Coleman Silk has a secret. But it’s not the secret of his affair, at Coleman Silk has a secret. But it’s not the secret of his affair, at seventy-one with a woman half his age. And it’s not the secret of his seventy-one with a woman half his age. And it’s not the secret of his alleged racism, which provoked the college which hunt that cost him alleged racism, which provoked the college which hunt that cost him his job. Coleman’s secret is deeper, and lies at the very core of who his job. Coleman’s secret is deeper, and lies at the very core of who he is, and he has kept it hidden from everyone for fifty years. Set in he is, and he has kept it hidden from everyone for fifty years. Set in 1998, with the backdrop of the impeachment of a president, 1998, with the backdrop of the impeachment of a president, The The Human Stain Human Stain shows us an America where conflicting moralities and shows us an America where conflicting moralities and ideological divisions result in public denunciations and houndings, ideological divisions result in public denunciations and houndings, and where innocence is not always a good enough excuse. (Back and where innocence is not always a good enough excuse. (Back cover, cover, The Human StainThe Human Stain).).

The plot is much more complex than this. The book delves into the The plot is much more complex than this. The book delves into the injustice people face when their “label is the motive” (p. 290)injustice people face when their “label is the motive” (p. 290)

We look at the secrets people guard and the identity they forge and We look at the secrets people guard and the identity they forge and protect.protect.

The CharactersThe Characters All of Roth’s Characters possess a secret All of Roth’s Characters possess a secret

or a past that is, (if only briefly) explored in or a past that is, (if only briefly) explored in the novel.the novel.

No main character has a spotless past or No main character has a spotless past or present, they possess hidden desires, present, they possess hidden desires, secrets and pasts.secrets and pasts.

Their own personal “human stain” is Their own personal “human stain” is always shown.always shown.

Every main character has a hang-up. Every main character has a hang-up.

The CharactersThe Characters Nathan ZuckermanNathan ZuckermanNathan Zuckerman is the ‘author’ (p. 359) of “The Human Stain” and consequently Philip Nathan Zuckerman is the ‘author’ (p. 359) of “The Human Stain” and consequently Philip

Roth’s ‘alter ego.’Roth’s ‘alter ego.’

Zuckerman acts as Coleman’s psychiatrist/friend in the book. (pg 41)Zuckerman acts as Coleman’s psychiatrist/friend in the book. (pg 41)

Every character in the book has background.Every character in the book has background.

Nathan Zuckerman is a recluse, he recently had an operation that made him incontinent.Nathan Zuckerman is a recluse, he recently had an operation that made him incontinent.

We don’t just use Zuckerman as a means to make a connection between Coleman and We don’t just use Zuckerman as a means to make a connection between Coleman and the completion of this book, we learn things about Zuckerman that are completely the completion of this book, we learn things about Zuckerman that are completely unnecessary to the plot of the book, but it allows us to see his ‘human stain.”unnecessary to the plot of the book, but it allows us to see his ‘human stain.”

““We leave a stain, we leave a trail, we leave our imprint”We leave a stain, we leave a trail, we leave our imprint” (p.242). (p.242).

Zuckerman may not have a dark secret like Coleman but he has a mark that he uses in Zuckerman may not have a dark secret like Coleman but he has a mark that he uses in the book to define/ mark himself.the book to define/ mark himself.

It is through the mark that he is ‘only human’.It is through the mark that he is ‘only human’.

Delphine RouxDelphine RouxDelphine is a young, attractive, intelligent French woman whom Coleman Silk Delphine is a young, attractive, intelligent French woman whom Coleman Silk

hired while Dean at Athena.hired while Dean at Athena.

Delphine’s entire existence has been for the recognition of others.Delphine’s entire existence has been for the recognition of others.

She doesn't seem to be in control of her actions, she sent an email and a letter She doesn't seem to be in control of her actions, she sent an email and a letter without meaning to.without meaning to.

Secrets:Secrets:• Her ideal man meets Coleman description.Her ideal man meets Coleman description.• She desperately wants to find someone but she has very high opinion of She desperately wants to find someone but she has very high opinion of

herself, and a high standard for men. She only wants to date white men.herself, and a high standard for men. She only wants to date white men.• She desperately seeks approval from her academic mother in France and She desperately seeks approval from her academic mother in France and

her colleagues.her colleagues.• She wrote a letter threatening Coleman.She wrote a letter threatening Coleman.• She staged a break-in in her office when she accidentally sent an email.She staged a break-in in her office when she accidentally sent an email.

Everyone knows you’reEveryone knows you’re

sexually exploiting an sexually exploiting an

abused, illiterate abused, illiterate

woman half yourwoman half yourage. age. (pg 38)(pg 38)

Re:Re: Personal adPersonal ad

Youthful, petite, womanly, attractive, academically successful SWF French-born scholar, Parisian background, Yale Ph.D., Mass.- based, seeks…… Mature man with backbone. Unattached. Independent. Witty. Lively. Defiant. Forthright. Well educated. Satirical spirit. Charm. Knowledge and love of great books. Well spoken and straight speaking. Trimly built. Five eight or nine. Mediterranean complexion. Green eyes preferred. Age unimportant. But must be intellectual. Greying hair acceptable, even desirable…..(pg. 273)

Faunia FarleyFaunia FarleyFaunia Farley works as a janitor in the College and as a milkmaid at Faunia Farley works as a janitor in the College and as a milkmaid at

the dairy farm at which she lives.the dairy farm at which she lives.She was sexually abused by her stepfather and ran away from home.She was sexually abused by her stepfather and ran away from home.She married an ex-Vietnam officer with PTSD (Les Farley) who abused She married an ex-Vietnam officer with PTSD (Les Farley) who abused

her in her marriage, and stalked her after the divorce.her in her marriage, and stalked her after the divorce.Her two children by Les died in a house fire while she was in a truck Her two children by Les died in a house fire while she was in a truck

out the front of the house with a man.out the front of the house with a man.She claims to be illiterate.She claims to be illiterate.She wish’s she were a crow .She wish’s she were a crow .Secrets:Secrets:• Faunia can read, she used her illiteracy as a source of power. (p. Faunia can read, she used her illiteracy as a source of power. (p.

297)297)• She in engaged to Prince the crow. (247) “A woman that doesn't She in engaged to Prince the crow. (247) “A woman that doesn't

know how to be a woman and a crow that doesn’t know how to be a know how to be a woman and a crow that doesn’t know how to be a crow.”crow.”

• She tried to commit suicide twice (p245)She tried to commit suicide twice (p245)

Prince:The CrowPrince:The Crow

The crow was hand reared.The crow was hand reared. Prince has a ‘caw’ that wasn’t like the Prince has a ‘caw’ that wasn’t like the

other crows having not grown up around other crows having not grown up around them, therefore Prince is forever doomed them, therefore Prince is forever doomed to be caged.to be caged.

The human stain was the stain that was The human stain was the stain that was left on Prince that didn’t allow him to go left on Prince that didn’t allow him to go back out into his world.back out into his world.

Possess ‘human behaviour’ (pg.239).Possess ‘human behaviour’ (pg.239).

Les FarleyLes Farley

• Les Farley is Faunia’s ex-husband.Les Farley is Faunia’s ex-husband.• Suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Suffers from Post Traumatic Stress

DisorderDisorder• Stalked Faunia’s lovers including Stalked Faunia’s lovers including

Coleman.Coleman.• Ran Faunia and Coleman off the road. Ran Faunia and Coleman off the road. (p.259)(p.259)

Coleman SilkColeman SilkColeman is the main character in the book.Coleman is the main character in the book.We learn about his childhood in East Orange with his rhetoric father, brother We learn about his childhood in East Orange with his rhetoric father, brother

Walt, sister Ernestine and his loving mother.Walt, sister Ernestine and his loving mother.Coleman first impersonated a Jew when he was boxing in Doc Chizner’s Coleman first impersonated a Jew when he was boxing in Doc Chizner’s

class.class.He then filled out his army papers as a white man and never looked back.He then filled out his army papers as a white man and never looked back.He locked his family out of his life and married Iris, his wife, the only woman He locked his family out of his life and married Iris, his wife, the only woman

he had a relationship with where he didn’t tell her his true identity.he had a relationship with where he didn’t tell her his true identity.Coleman becomes Dean of Athena, a man with considerable power and whose Coleman becomes Dean of Athena, a man with considerable power and whose

leadership has transformed the college for the better.leadership has transformed the college for the better.When Coleman is wrongfully accused of racism he fights the accusations until When Coleman is wrongfully accused of racism he fights the accusations until

his wife dies. Coleman then retires which appears as an admission of his his wife dies. Coleman then retires which appears as an admission of his guilt.guilt.

Faunia’s relationship with Coleman is case of opposites attract.Faunia’s relationship with Coleman is case of opposites attract.The largest secret Coleman had was his true identity, however, the identity he The largest secret Coleman had was his true identity, however, the identity he

created for himself suited him better, it’s why he created it.created for himself suited him better, it’s why he created it.

Clinton Vs. ColemanClinton Vs. Coleman

Clinton is President of USAClinton is President of USA

Clinton has relations with Monica Clinton has relations with Monica LewinskiLewinski

Lewinski works in the White HouseLewinski works in the White House

Clinton’s affair is oustedClinton’s affair is ousted

Clinton is called a draft dodger Clinton is called a draft dodger

Clinton is impeachedClinton is impeached

Coleman is Dean of AthenaColeman is Dean of Athena

Coleman has relations with Faunia Coleman has relations with Faunia FarleyFarley

Faunia works at AthenaFaunia works at Athena

Coleman’s relationship is exposedColeman’s relationship is exposed

Colemen is called a racistColemen is called a racist

Coleman leaves his jobColeman leaves his job

The Power of a SecretThe Power of a SecretThe secrets in the human stain are not only made to hide the past. The secrets in the human stain are not only made to hide the past.

The lies themselves are there to empower the character.The lies themselves are there to empower the character.Coleman lied about his race, he didn’t do it because he disliked being black Coleman lied about his race, he didn’t do it because he disliked being black

and he did not do it because he preferred to be seen as Jewish. (although and he did not do it because he preferred to be seen as Jewish. (although this was a bonus in the service).this was a bonus in the service).

Coleman used his lie to make himself free. As his mother said to him “you're Coleman used his lie to make himself free. As his mother said to him “you're as white as snow but you think like a slave” (p.139).as white as snow but you think like a slave” (p.139).

Coleman felt empowered harbouring a secret.Coleman felt empowered harbouring a secret.

All he ever wanted, from earliest childhood on, was to be free: not black, not All he ever wanted, from earliest childhood on, was to be free: not black, not even white- just on his own and free. He meant to insult no one by his even white- just on his own and free. He meant to insult no one by his choice, nor was he trying to imitate anyone whom he took to be choice, nor was he trying to imitate anyone whom he took to be superior…” (p. 120)superior…” (p. 120)

““Self discovery, that was the punch to the labonz” (p. 108)Self discovery, that was the punch to the labonz” (p. 108)

““The The gift gift to be secretive.” (p.135)to be secretive.” (p.135)

The Power of a SecretThe Power of a Secret

Faunia lied about the fact she couldn’t read. She did this not to handicap herself Faunia lied about the fact she couldn’t read. She did this not to handicap herself but to highlight the barbaric self befitting the world. (p. 297).but to highlight the barbaric self befitting the world. (p. 297).

““Not rejecting learning as a stifling form of propriety but trumpeting learning by Not rejecting learning as a stifling form of propriety but trumpeting learning by a knowledge that is stronger and prior.” (p. 297).a knowledge that is stronger and prior.” (p. 297).

Delphine Roux thinks highly of herself because of intellect but is never at ease.Delphine Roux thinks highly of herself because of intellect but is never at ease.

She thinks that people are continuously scrutinising her and feels like she can She thinks that people are continuously scrutinising her and feels like she can never fit in in America. Her secret disadvantages her more than it helps her.never fit in in America. Her secret disadvantages her more than it helps her.

She lied about the email because of what she thought everyone would think.She lied about the email because of what she thought everyone would think.

Delphine’s secrets have the power to create the illusion she is complete when she Delphine’s secrets have the power to create the illusion she is complete when she feels inadequate.feels inadequate.

Social ImplicationsSocial ImplicationsWe all have histories that mark us, we carry around We all have histories that mark us, we carry around

personal baggage and we have secrets. This could be personal baggage and we have secrets. This could be described as the human condition.described as the human condition.

Philip Roth wrote his book in a way that made it appear to Philip Roth wrote his book in a way that made it appear to be non fiction. It not only covered the lives of the people be non fiction. It not only covered the lives of the people of Athena, but was linked to situations in the real world: of Athena, but was linked to situations in the real world: The impeachment of President Clinton.The impeachment of President Clinton.

The issues the book raises of: Racism, unfounded The issues the book raises of: Racism, unfounded accusations, which hunts, mob justice, PTSD, adultery, accusations, which hunts, mob justice, PTSD, adultery, murder and cultural identity are all present in our own murder and cultural identity are all present in our own society. The book examines these issues through society. The book examines these issues through varying perspectives. I think this book promotes varying perspectives. I think this book promotes understanding and self/social analysis.understanding and self/social analysis.