Exploration of Judaism

A major theme in this novel is the exploration of Judaism. This theme occurs frequently in Philip Roth's novels. The narrator is usually taken on a literal and emotional journey of some kind to figure out what being Jewish means to him. In The Prague Orgy, Zuckerman travels to Prague to figure out how being Jewish affects his life. On the trip, Zuckerman hears the stereotypes of Jews and hears the stories of how Jews struggle. He has not gone through this struggle in his life. However, in Prague, he does. Like the Jews in the Bible, he wanders aimlessly throughout Prague. He does not have a place to call home. He is on a quest to secure the manuscript, or stories written by a Jew.

As he journeys, he hears the stories of other Jews and how they suffer under this regime. This brings him...