Malamud at Oregon State: A Digital Humanities Project

Pauline and Levin

The development of the affair between Pauline and Levin is the one of the primary sources of tension in A New Life. In examining the significant differences in this development, we noticed shifts in the way Levin shared information with Pauline, the speed at which affection developed between the two and the shift of power between Levin and Gilley. In many cases, Pauline becomes more autonomous in the published version than she is in the manuscript. Levin's release of information and interest in Pauline develop slower over the course of the published novel, although there is a greater sense of intimacy that becomes apparent earlier in the manuscript version. The following are selections we found particularly revealing in terms of information exchange and omitted information. Overall, the amount of information exchanged remains fairly consistent between editions, but the content and tone in which it is expressed changes significantly. The selections take place entirely in chapter seven, around the initiation of Levin and Pauline's affair, and are organized in chronological order.
 

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