Irène Némirovsky's David Golder and the Myth of the Jew

Abstract

The extent to which Irène Némirovsky's David Golder incorporates specific and, in some instances, centuries-old Jewish stereotypes has not been acknowledged. Although the title character is, at times, more realistically depicted than the rapacious money-man of myth, his credibility is irremediably undermined by the myriad stereotypical traits attributed to him. Golder's portrayal and that of the many other Jewish characters in the novel, who are even less well developed than he, reinforce and perpetuate the myth of the Jew that has evolved in literature and art through the ages.

Keywords:

• David Golder
• Jewish stereotypes
• the myth of the Jew
• Irène Némirovsky