"Masks in the Mirror" examines Sephardic Jews, known as conversos or Marranos, who converted to Catholicism during the Inquisition. It delves into their struggles with identity, the madness induced by persecution, and the creative expressions of their dual lives, particularly in literature, while exploring the broader implications of Marranism.
Alfred Dreyfus as Lover, Intellectual, Poet, and Jew
Alfred Dreyfus's arrest for treason thrust him into a surreal existence, which he termed a phantasmagoria. To maintain his sanity during five years of imprisonment, he engaged in extensive reading, wrote letters to his wife Lucie, and tackled complex intellectual challenges in mathematics and science. Norman Simms delves into Dreyfus's essays, contextualizing them within his time and exploring the influences of his Jewish Alsatian heritage, revealing the profound ways he coped with the psychological turmoil of his situation.
Secret Jews and Penitentes in the Southwestern United States from 1590 to 1890
Focusing on the complex identities of the Penitentes and Marranos, the book explores their shared history of persecution and the challenges they face in declaring their true selves. It examines the Penitentes' controversial practices and the Marranos' ambiguous heritage, seeking to redefine their narratives in a respectful and sympathetic light. Utilizing diverse methodologies such as rabbinics, literary analysis, and cultural anthropology, the author aims to clarify misconceptions and foster a deeper understanding of these unique communities.
Focusing on Alfred Dreyfus, the book delves into his personal writings, revealing a complex, intellectual figure deeply engaged with the cultural currents of his time. Through his letters to his wife Lucie and prison workbooks, Dreyfus emerges as a skeptical yet idealistic Alsatian Jew, critical of technological and ideological shifts. The author, Norman Simms, employs a rabbinical midrash style to explore Dreyfus's worldview and the societal assumptions he challenged, creating a nuanced understanding of the man behind the infamous Dreyfus Affair.
The poem features unique elements that challenge its classification as a simple comic or satirical romance from the Christian courts of fourteenth-century England. Its peculiar characteristics hint at a more complex origin and suggest alternative interpretations, inviting readers to explore deeper themes and meanings beyond the surface narrative.