Where was the Jew in him? You couldn't find it and yet you knew it was there. Where was the irrationality in him? Where was the crybaby in him? Where were the wayward temptations? No guile. No artifice. No mischief. All that he had eliminated to achieve his perfection. No striving, no ambivalence, no doubleness- just the style, the natural physical refinement of a star.
The passage reflects on a character's internal struggle and transformation, highlighting the complexities of identity and the pursuit of perfection. It questions where the character's inherent traits, such as their Jewish heritage and emotional vulnerabilities, have gone. The absence of these elements suggests a profound change, stripping away layers of personality to reveal a seemingly flawless exterior.
This search for an ideal self is marked by the absence of conflict and duality, presenting a visage of poise and elegance akin to that of a star. The character has successfully eliminated their flaws and imperfections, yet this transformation leaves one to ponder the cost of such perfection. The narrative suggests that in the pursuit of an idealized identity, essential parts of one’s humanity might be lost.
