Everyman

"Ogni uomo" is born, grows up, falls in love, betrays, has children, destroys marriages and families and suddenly... gets old. "Old age is not a battle: old age is a massacre," thinks "ogni uomo". So what to do? Keep oneself busy to push it back, to drive away that thought that tears us apart and never leaves us, even when we are children and have to face a small surgical operation, that thought that is lurking in the shadows and suddenly attacks us?

Wise are the words of "ogni uomo"'s father: "Turn back and atone for the sins you can atone for, and with what is left, move forward as best you can."

"Ogni uomo", everyman.

Everyman goes through the various stages of life, experiencing love, betrayal, and the creation and destruction of relationships. But then comes old age, which he views as a massacre. This leads him to wonder what he can do to avoid or delay it. His father's advice is to look back and make amends for past mistakes, and then use what's left to move forward as best he can. This simple yet profound advice may offer some solace and guidance to everyman as he confronts the challenges of growing old.

Yesterday I delved into the pages of Everyman. The novel isn't overly long, perhaps a mere 180 small pages. At that time, I had nothing particularly exciting going on. I had just been shopping at Costco and managed to dodge a water balloon fight, despite my repeated protests of “I'm not playing! I'm not playing!”. The book piqued my interest for several reasons. Firstly, Mary, one of the local librarians, had placed it on her “recommended” shelf in the actual library, not just on Goodreads. Secondly, at least two of my friends had hated it. Thirdly, I needed something short as I had finished a novel on Saturday and was expecting another through the inter-library loan system early this week.

I didn't despise Everyman, but I did think it was more unappealing than good.

Now, here's a non sequitur that I hope will make sense. Do you read Esquire magazine? I do, although I'm not entirely sure why. I think I read it because the subscription only costs five bucks a year. Anyway, Esquire offers hilariously strange and out-of-touch advice for men. The writers often attempt to sound tough and knowledgeable when they recommend which of three four-hundred-dollar shirts you absolutely must have in your closet. They also give advice on how to order drinks in bars, how to talk with kids about sex, and present celebrity profiles in which male movie stars are held up as paragons of masculinity. I have no idea who these people are who follow Esquire's advice regarding shoes, women, and money, but they must be far wealthier than me and incredibly insecure.

The protagonist in Everyman, I suspect, was into Esquire. That's okay, if that's his thing. But Roth's main flaw, in my opinion, is the implication that his characters are somehow representative of American males. Now, I admit I only know a couple of 70-year-olds, but I highly doubt that many of them are so distraught about not having a chance with young women that they try to pick up passing joggers. I also don't believe that people converse with each other in the way the characters do in Everyman. They go from zero to sixty on the philosophy scale in three inches of dialogue or less. The medical talk was probably the most interesting aspect of the novel. However, the mindless bravado and self-pity quickly became tiresome. I resent the notion that Everyman is representative of every man, or even most of them, or a few. Most of us don't buy the belts, toys, and advice recommended in Esquire. It's not that the ideas are all bad; we're just not from the Esquire world. It's a goofy planet, somewhere in the same solar system as Everyman. Proceed at your own peril. I'll give Roth another chance, and I kind of remember liking American Pastoral, but I truly hope his other works are better.

Oh my God! In the short period that has passed, I have come across many of these stories that talk about the life of a man. Let's take an ordinary person whom life is filled with. Their lives are not heroic, there are no surprises or heroes. It is a completely simple life. Here, it was dull, a life that is not amendable, a cowardly life...

A man died and his funeral was announced. The author once again returns to tell his boring and sad story. He recalls his life through rather unpleasant situations and events, as if the man was made of sadness. What passed in the man's life was only illness, worry, and the constant fear of death. The man carried an unusual amount of mediocrity and jealousy. He always fled from his responsibilities. "The failed father, the jealous brother, the unfaithful husband, the weak son." Thus, the man had a completely bad reputation, both with people and in his personal life. He was a sexual adventurer. "He was also a liar in everything, except that he was completely lustful." He divorced three times. Either the woman couldn't bear it or, at the very least, he was the one who couldn't live with anyone for a long time. He was bored with the trivial things in life. He approached life as an experiment, not as a goal. He lived most of his life alone because he never learned to let go of anyone, never learned to be a certain way. He was always on the verge of something...

The general atmosphere in the story is somewhat sad. There is a distinctive existential tone with a certain simplicity in the narration and not delving deep into the nature of things, which does not take you far in interpreting things and blaming someone. He is the kind of writer who does not exhaust himself in exploring the personality. He simply leaves the field to the reader. Philip Roth is a simple and unpretentious writer who easily transports the reader between eras. However, despite that, you feel a sting while reading, as if the life of the old man has been thrown onto your shoulders...

This story, in essence, is not suitable for those who are looking for an enjoyable story within the novel. Here, there is nothing but the struggle of a man with death and the idea of death...

"What I learned from this book": Philip Roth seems to have a complex relationship with life. On one hand, he hates it, yet on the other hand, he really really doesn't want to die. He is often regarded as the crowned-king miserablist among the literati, with his statement that "old age isn't a battle; old age is a massacre." This is especially true for those who give up the fight.

I have attempted to read a few of Roth's books based on his reputation. However, I remain mystified. I suspect that the awards people keep presenting him with trophies out of mere muscle memory. The writing in his books appears to be rather drab, the characters seem one-note, and the dialogue is often strained and silly. For instance, in "Everyman," the wife says, "I can’t bear the role you’ve reduced me to. The pitiful middle-aged wife, embittered by rejection, consumed by rotten jealousy! Raging! Repugnant!”

If you are determined to read a depressing book about death, I would highly recommend Thomas Mann's "Death in Venice" instead. It offers a far more profound meditation on mortality compared to Roth's works.

He had always drawn strength from stability, not from rest. Now, he had reached a standstill.

There was no longer any room for false hope. He was in a state of boundless desolation with no way back. A sense of alienation overwhelmed him. "Alienation" was a word that did not exist in his vocabulary...

He had been so accustomed to relying on the constancy of his circumstances that this sudden change left him feeling lost and adrift. The familiar world he had known seemed to have vanished overnight, replaced by an unfamiliar and unforgiving landscape.

As he stood there, alone and confused, he tried to make sense of what had happened. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he was truly in a state of "alienation", a feeling he had never before experienced and could not fully understand.

Yet, despite the overwhelming sense of despair, there was a small glimmer of hope deep within him. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way out of this mess. But for now, he would have to find the strength within himself to face the unknown and keep moving forward.

“Old age isn't a battle, old age is a massacre.” This profound statement encapsulates the harsh reality that many face as they enter the later stages of life. It implies that old age is not just a series of challenges to be overcome, but rather a merciless onslaught that takes away one's vitality, health, and ultimately, their very being.

“He was no more, freed from being, entering into nowhere without even knowing it. Just as he'd feared from the start.” This description of a person's passing is both poignant and chilling. It shows how death can come suddenly and unexpectedly, taking away someone who may have been afraid of it all along. The idea of “entering into nowhere” is a terrifying one, as it implies that there is no afterlife or meaning beyond this world.

Together, these quotes paint a bleak picture of old age and death. They remind us that life is finite and that we should cherish every moment we have. At the same time, they also raise important questions about the meaning and purpose of life, and what happens to us when we die.

Ageing, illness and death are things that the man on the street (that is, every ordinary person) will inevitably experience. There is no escape from these. The author also deals with these topics through the main character.

My detailed review of the book: https://kitapokurum.blogspot.com/2018...

Ageing is an inevitable process that affects everyone. As we grow older, our bodies change, and we may experience various health problems. Illness can strike at any time, regardless of our age or lifestyle. It can range from minor ailments to serious diseases that can have a significant impact on our lives. Death, too, is an inescapable reality. We all know that one day, our time on this earth will come to an end.

The author's exploration of these themes through the main character adds depth and meaning to the story. By following the character's journey through ageing, illness and the inevitable approach of death, we are able to gain a better understanding of these universal experiences. The book may also prompt us to reflect on our own lives and how we can make the most of the time we have.

«Τα γηρατειά δεν είναι μάχη, τα γηρατειά είναι σφαγή». This powerful statement by the always beloved and unrivaled for me, Philip Roth, in his latest and one of his most mature novels, delves into the complex themes of aging, the fear of death, stereotypes, stoicism, and the inevitable end.

Aging is a universal experience that we all must face. Roth explores the physical and emotional toll it takes on individuals. The fear of death looms large, as we confront our own mortality. Stereotypes about the elderly often lead to misunderstandings and marginalization.

However, Roth also presents the idea of stoicism, the ability to endure hardships with courage and dignity. Despite the inevitability of the end, we can still find meaning and purpose in our lives. Through his masterful storytelling, Roth invites us to reflect on our own attitudes towards aging and death, and to consider how we can navigate these challenges with grace and strength.