Due to travel delays, Dr. Avishai will now be joining us February 7th at 5pm in room 100 of the West Duke Building

In 1969 Philip Roth’s novel Portnoy’s Complaint became infamous almost as soon as it was published, due to its coarsely sexual imagery as well as the deeply satirical portrayal of an American Jewish family. Many felt betrayed, suggesting that Roth’s book reflected poorly on the entire American Jewish community. The book is now recognized as a classic, though Roth described it in a recent interview as a “youthful indiscretion.”

When a community suffers from discrimination, do its members have a special responsibility to avoid adding fuel to the fire? Does great art get a pass for being greatly offensive? Dr. Bernard Avishai will join us for a discussion of Roth’s most famous book and the social and culture whirlwind that received it.

Monday, February 6, 5-6:30pm
101 West Duke Building (map)