Magic Barrel Imagery

In Bernard Malamud 's "The Magic Barrel", one of the main characters is a marriage broker named Pinye Salzman. Throughout the tale, Mr. Malamud draws many parallels between Pinye Salzman and an angel through the use of imagery. There are countless angelic references and some dialogue that conjures the image of an angel. How do these images manifest themselves and where in the text can they be found? First, it may be pertinent to supply some background on angels.

Angels, in almost all cultures, are thought to be the "hands" of god. They serve god in many ways from being messengers to guardians, protecting those that need help. Perhaps, they are sent to guide a person to a certain end or to their "destiny". They are metaphysical creatures and
produced some references to Pinye having the function and powers of an angel. When Leo first approached lily, he had the feeling the Pinye was around, watching him. "Salzman, whom he uneasily sensed to be somewhere around, hiding perhaps in a tree[. . . ]" (94) as Malamud described Leo 's feelings. It could be said that Pinye was high above, watching over Leo not unlike a guardian angel watches over his charges. Also, at the end of Leo 's meeting with Lily, it began to snow. Leo thought this a curious coincidence and blamed it on Salzman. Malamud would point out in the story "Mercifully, then, it snowed, which he (Leo) would not put past Salzman 's machinations." (95). It isn 't inconceivable to think angels could make it snow if they so
She responded with "in the air"(99) and pointed upward. Almost as if she was saying that his place of business is in the heavens. Much in the same way that angels operate from the heavens. Descending down to perform their duties.

In Leo 's final face to face meeting with Pinye at a Broadway cafeteria, Pinye is described by Malamud as being "transparent, to the point of vanishing." (100). When an angel sighting has occurred, the vision is usually described as being transparent. With the viewer being able to see through the angel. Much like what is described in this scene.

It seems that throughout the tale of "The Magic Barrel" Bernard Malamud slowly builds the image of an angel as applied to Pinye Salzman. He uses various references throughout the story to convey this image. The job of a marriage broker is very comparable to what cupid used to do in Greek mythology. Cupid was an Angel. Leo felt that Pinye was watching him during his meeting with Lily H. Angel 's watch over their charges from afar. Leo blamed Pinye for making it snow. Angels could have control over the environment. Pinye seemed to appear whenever Leo needed him and disappear just as quickly. Angles are thought to do the same thing. Pinye 's wife said his office was in the sky. Angels work from heaven. Pinye was described as being transparent. Angels are described as transparent sometimes. Each reference,