“Fishke the Lame” & The Light Ahead

“Fishke the Lame” (1869) by S.Y. Abramovitsh  Partially based on the author’s experience of travelling with beggars as a youth.  A part of a series of stories told by a book peddler, Mendele. Later turned into a novel.

“Fishke the Lame”  The exact date, recognizable topography (despite imaginary town names – allusions to a Russian satirical writer Saltykov-Scshedrin).Saltykov-Scshedrin  Topical satire against figures of authority, traditions, superstitions, and modes of behaviour.

“Fishke the Lame”  Frame story; “hypertext.”  Imitation of oral story-telling: the narrator addresses his audience directly; “I am getting off the point.”  Reflections upon Yiddish language.  Irony and humour.  Social criticism: sufferance of poor people; the motif of food.motif of food

The Light Ahead (1939) by Edgar G. Ulmer  Director: Edgar G. Ulmer,  Born in Moravia, died in California.  Had a theatrical experience and worked under a German expressionist Friedrich Murnau.  Made four Yiddish films.  Later became famous for film noir in Hollywood.

The Light Ahead  Starring: Helen Beverly (Hodl)and David Opatoshu (Fishke).  Filmed in America (New Jersey), NOT on location.

The Light Ahead  Amalgamation of three stories by Abramovitsh.  Style: “Hasidic Gothic,” influenced by Lang’s, Murnau’s, etc. expressionism. expressionism  Satire in place of nostalgia: shtetl life portrayed in dark colours, as unhealthy and grotesque.  “Big city” (modernity) provides hope.