Corruption In Bernard Malamud's The Natural

The Great Depression struck out many during its run in the 20th century. From 1929-1939, unemployment struck one in every four people. And additional events such as the Dust Bowl, forced many farmers to the city looking for work, doing anything they could to obtain what little money they could. From the twenty-five cent, the twenty cent, and the fifteen cent worker, anything was worth it for money. And with anyone doing anything in order to get money, corruption was high, as well as the greed for said money. These aspects, along with the national pastime of baseball are all incorporated in Bernard Malamud's novel, The Natural. During this time though, the national pastime of baseball was still dominant, with money being offered just to play

However this success is cut short when a Harriet Bird shoots him, who has previously murdered two other star athletes, sidelining him for fifteen years. Fifteen years later, after finally getting a chance to play, Roy Hobbs starts to become a national sensation in this sport. However the corruption and the need for money was still evident in the League from the times of the Great Depression. As Roy's rise to fame continues, old faces reamerge, offering him chances at money he never thought he could, however at a very high price.

In his initial return after living through the attempt on his life, Roy is a rookie for the New York Knights, going through what rookies would usually go through. Being the butt of most jokes of the team, and not getting much of a shot. However the few times he gets in the game, he shows his true potential for the game. His chance to show what he was finally capable of came after star Bump Bailey is not playing hard. He later plays a very good game and takes over for Bump after a freak accident. Where Bump ran into a outfield wall, resulting in his death. As he began to start, his rise to fame came as well. As his fame grew, the old face of Max Mercy appeared. Max Mercy's reappearance is our