The Natural by Bernard Malamud

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Description:

The Natural is more than just the tale of a baseball player’s career: it is a moral allegory that intertwines baseball, romance, and the medieval myth of the Holy Grail. Malamud alludes to people and events from baseball history and literature to create parallels between the story of Roy Hobbs, the traditions of baseball, and the story of a medieval knight. The novel is also an examination of what Hobbs holds valuable and how he avoids examining his values.

Activities:

Students examine the parallels between Parzival, the Fisher King, and Roy Hobbs; study metaphor, allegory, and allusion; and explore the history and traditions of baseball (including “Casey at the Bat”) in relation to the novel. They also analyze characters, discuss Hobbs’s values, and identify personal heroes/heroines.

A final lesson asks students to compare the novel with the film version. Lessons include reading quizzes with answer keys.

Ethical Values:

Endurance, Faith, Initiative, Self-discipline