The role of the Stranger in Jewish Literature: Exploring Efraim Sevela´s “Righteous” and “The Informant” through Georg Simmel´s Theory

Abstract

In his short stories, “Righteous” and “The Informant”, Sevela explores the theme of being an outsider in the society, a recurring motif in Jewish literature. This literary exploration aligns Sevela with well-known Jewish authors like Franz Kafka and Philipp Roth, who also hassle with the elaborateness of being an outsider. Georg Simmel’s theoretical framework on “the stranger” helps us understand Sevela’s characters. Simmel suggests that strangers have a unique social position, being both a part of and apart from the society. How strangers are treated reflects broader social and ethical concerns. Accepting strangers fosters unity while rejecting them can lead to conflict. Sevela uses various markers to highlight an outsider within the society, with physical appearance playing a prominent role. Jankowski’s analysis of the characters’ feelings within the society reveals an inner conflict about official inclusion while feeling like outsiders. Drawing from personal experiences, Sevela sheds light on the broader struggles of Soviet Jews adapting to new environments. Sevela’s autobiographical novel, “Farewell Israel,” provides insights into his own transformation into a cosmopolitan outsider due to state-sponsored antisemitism.Collectively, these texts highlight the subtle exploration of the outsider’s identity in Sevela’s works. Whether viewed through Simmel’s sociological lens, Jankowski’s analysis of inner conflict, or Sevela’s personal reflections, the theme resonates with universal human struggles of displacement, identity, and the quest for belonging. In Sevela’s narrative, the outsider becomes a symbol of hope, kindness, and compassion — a potential catalyst for positive change in a world shadowed by darkness.