The First Seven Years

Sobel and Max are foils. How do they compare and contrast to each other? How does the presence of each character allow Malamud to explore ideas about the meaning of success?

Why does Feld initially resist the idea of Sobel marrying his daughter? What makes him relent and allow the courtship to go forward after Miriam is of age?

Review the story of Jacob and Rachel from Genesis, Chapter 29, in any edition of the Bible. What similarities do you see between the plot of this story and the account of how Jacob came to gain Rachel as his wife? How does Malamud’s use of the allusion contribute to the themes of the story?

In the world of the story, what does it mean to be educated? How does each character approach education, and what do their ideas about education say about them as characters?

Miriam is the only female character who is directly represented in the story. What are you able to learn about her based on her actions and words? What motivates her choices in the story?

Feld sees himself as a businessman whose decision-making is driven by a ruthless practicality. Is his self-perception accurate? Use his words, actions, and other characters’ interactions with him to make your case.

Identify the kinds of irony that appear in the story. How do they support the story’s themes?

Identify and discuss the impact of at least one symbol in the story. Consider how the characters interact with the story’s symbols and how the symbols contribute to character development.