How did Grossbart take advantage of Marx in the defender of the faith?

Answer 1

In Philip Roth's "Defender of the Faith," Grossbart manipulates Marx's authority and the Jewish faith to exploit the latter's sense of obligation and responsibility. He uses his shared background with Marx to create a bond that enables him to extract favors, such as special treatment and leniency regarding military service. Grossbart's opportunism highlights themes of identity and moral compromise, as he prioritizes personal gain over communal values. Ultimately, his actions serve as a critique of how individuals can exploit communal ties for selfish ends.