A Tragi-Comedy of Creeds
The novel revolves around the story of a Jewish family living in London's East End. The patriarch, a devout Jew, struggles to reconcile his faith with the changing world around him. His son, a charismatic and idealistic young man, becomes increasingly disillusioned with traditional Judaism and begins to question its relevance. As the story unfolds, the family's relationships are put to the test by their conflicting values and beliefs. The novel explores themes of identity, community, and the search for meaning in a rapidly modernizing society. Through a series of tragic events, the family is forced to confront the consequences of their choices and the limitations of their creeds. Ultimately, the novel presents a nuanced and thought-provoking portrayal of the human experience, one that challenges readers to re-examine their own assumptions about faith, identity, and community.
By Israel Zangwill · First published 1894 · Genre: Tragi-comedy, Religious fiction, Social commentary · 2,254 words
First lines
Not much before midnight in a midland town -- a thriving commercial town, whose dingy back streets swarmed with poverty and piety -- a man in a soft felt hat and a white tie was hurrying home over a bridge that spanned a dark crowded river. He had missed the tram, and did not care to be seen out late, but he could not afford a cab. Suddenly he felt a tug at his long black coat-tail. Vaguely alarmed and definitely annoyed, he turned round quickly. A breathless, roughly-clad, rugged-featured man loosed his hold of the skirt.
"Scuse me, sir -- I've been running," gasped the stranger, placing his horny hand on his breast and panting.
What this Textopian page supports
A Tragi-Comedy of Creeds is listed on Textopian as a novella by Israel Zangwill, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Israel Zangwill
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragi-comedy, Religious fiction, Social commentary, Drama, Satire
- Length: 2,254 words
- Structure: 1 section, 54 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Tragi-Comedy of Creeds by Israel Zangwill
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Tragi-Comedy of Creeds?
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Genres
- Tragi-comedy — The narrative combines elements of tragedy and comedy, exploring serious themes with a humorous undertone.
- Religious fiction — The story revolves around religious themes, including the interactions between different faiths and the role of clergy.
- Social commentary — The plot critiques societal norms and religious prejudices, highlighting issues of poverty and piety.
- Drama — The narrative is driven by dramatic interactions and emotional conflicts, particularly in the context of a dying woman's last moments.
Tags
Social Commentary · Satire · Comedy · Tragedy · Philosophical Fiction · Jewish Literature · Realism · Critique of Religion · Critique of Society · Anti-Semitism · Societal Satire · Literary Satire