Portnoy's Complaint

Who is Dr. Spielvogel from Portnoy's Complaint and what is their importance?

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This is the character to whom Alex's narrative is addressed, the character to whom Alex cries out (at times literally) for guidance, support, and explanations. Spielvogel never actually speaks and is never actually described in any way—he can be seen, however, as symbolizing the kind of relationship with a listening, concerned, mature, reasonable Jew that Alex never had in his life growing up (see "Questions—The Book's Final Line...").