Norman Mailers An American Dream: The Character of Steven Rojack :: essays papers

Norman Mailers An American Dream The Character of St notwithstanding RojackIn almost every genre of literary productions there is the classicantagonist, and the classic booster station. When examining thesecharacters, there are certain guidelines which authorsfollow. However, there are times in literature when theclassic guidelines are broken, and a brand-new prototype emerges.Contemporary writer Norman Mailer broke the mold of the classiccharacter(s) when writing the novel, An American Dream. In AnAmerican Dream, there is no set protagonist or antagonist. Infact, Mailer has taken these two separate identities and mergedthem into one character. The product is the main character ofthe novel, Steven Rojack. Throughout the novel the readerisnt sure if they emergency him to succeed, or fail. This is due toRojacks ever-changing personality. He first seems like theperfect man, a decorated war hero who knows all the rightpeople. However, shortly aft(prenominal) this impression i s made anotheris formed. He murders his wife in cold blood and lies to thepolice, claimi ng she committed suicide. As the novelcontinues however, Rojack realizes the horror of his crime and evenconfesses what he has done to a woman he loves. Due to therealization of his crime, he is redeemed in the eye of the reader.From this point on, the reader wants Rojack to succeed. However,before net judgement can be passed, it is imperative that Rojacksentire character be explored.Steven Rojack is first introduced as a prominent man in nightspotwho becomes recognized due to his decoration in militaryservice. Through this service he became close with many famouspoliticians, laborer Kennedy being one. It is through Jack thatRojack meets his first wife, Deborah, a woman who he describeswould be bored with a diamond as big as the Ritz (1) Afterserving a bourn in Congress, he and Deborah marry.Unfortunately, the relationship they have is one in whichDeborah has full control. As he conti nues to describe therelationship with his wife it is often filled with bittermemories. He remembers going to parties where she wouldcompare his worth to that of another mans. It is from thisthat a bitter hatred stems towards Deborah. Finally, afterseven years of marriage, they separate. However, after theseparation, Deborahs need are still covered by Steven, who isnow a college professor and the host of a popular TV show. Inaddition to this Deborah main tains a close contact with him,seeing him whenever she desires.