Goodbye, Columbus

Goodbye, Columbus, the title story of the book Goodbye Columbus and Five Short Stories by Philip Roth is a story of a fifties summer romance. Significant transitional events in this book fill the lives of Brenda and Neil, the main characters, and odd couple that the story is based upon. Throughout this novella Brenda Patimkin and Neil Klugman are changed by certain experiences that they share. It is these situations that dramatically affect their lives and change them in more ways than one.

Upon entering the relationship, Neil moves into a new phase of his life. Beginning by simply holding Brenda's glasses, Neil and Brenda's interaction spawns into a full blown love. As the pursuer, Neil calls Brenda up, and is responsible for causing the strong love connection to form. Meeting Brenda at her tennis match, Neil watches her every move, and the two...