Who Is Roy Hobbs Responsible For His Own Downfall

In many different time periods throughout history, authors, artists, and thinkers have analyzed the behavior of human beings depending on their environment. They have attempted to determine reasons for their actions, whether they be rejecting traditional values, honoring a certain person or thing, or working towards a specific goal. These ideas became cultivated by artistic and literary movements such as modernism, romanticism, and realism. While some people thrived during these eras, others suffered greatly. In Bernard Malamud’s 1950s novel, The Natural, protagonist Roy Hobbs’ suffering is self-inflicted because he is arrogant, misled by his ambitions, and unable to learn from his mistakes. Arrogance is one of the key factors that contributes

His suffering is caused by his own thoughts and actions. Henry David Thoreau states in his novel Walden, “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after” (Thoreau). This insightful metaphor translates to the idea that many people strive after things that do not satisfy them in the end. Bernard Malamud presents this very idea in The Natural, in which Roy Hobbs desires fame, wealth, and love, but upon gaining these things, they do not fulfill him. This idea is reflected throughout the entire novel as Roy’s misleading ambitions result in disappointment and essentially, suffering. For example, Roy depends on his fans to make him feel valuable in his career. He searches for their approval but it cannot satisfy him at all times. When Roy goes through the slump, his depression is mainly caused by the fact that his fans have lost faith in him rather than because he is letting his teammates down. When he sees the woman standing out amongst the crowd, Iris Lemon, he gains a sense of confidence from her support, which shows that he depends on his fans to bring him happiness. Roy measures his success and worth on the support of his fans, who are not a steady foundation in his life. Therefore, by striving after fame and recognition in this way, Roy is setting himself up for disappointment. Roy is so focused on the destination that he loses sight of the journey.

This would mean Roy was chosen to be the tragic hero in which none of his actions affect his destiny; it is predetermined. However, in reality, the author’s purpose is to illustrate how everyone is in control of their own fate. Roy Hobbs had the power to have a better life but he did everything wrong, which is the point Malamud is trying to make. In he novel, Iris Lemon explains to Roy that “suffering is what brings us toward happiness” (Malamud 152). This statement is the author’s way of implying that one could turn their attitude around so that their suffering can be converted into more positive emotions, such as happiness. Iris believes in Roy, as shown by her support in standing at the baseball game to help him get out of his slump. Therefore, it would be foolish not to agree with her notion that one is capable of changing their hardships into smiles. This contradicts critics’ claim that Roy’s fate is predetermined because Iris encourages him that how you react to your suffering is in your control. Perhaps Malamud is also alluding to the idea that one must suffer first before they can truly appreciate genuine happiness. Regardless, he speaks through the character of Iris to say that everyone has control over their