I found no strength in my origins and took every opportunity to ignore them, when I couldn't deny them.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: Throughout Chapter 1, the main character and first person narrator, Ruben Blum, introduces himself to the reader. Rather than identifying himself as a father, husband, or even as a Jewish man at the start of his account, Ruben identifies himself as a historian and a professor. In this moment, he clarifies his reasons for distancing himself from his Jewish origins and familial identity. He found no stability in these facets of his upbringing or culture past. Rather, they raised questions which challenged his notions of history, fact, and truth. Therefore, he has done everything in his power as an adult to distance himself from the Jewish culture in order to feel some sense of authority over his character and identity. This moment is paramount not only to understanding Ruben's character and narration...