In Bernard Malamud's "The Assistant," the characters convey a sense of uncomfortable collision of cultures. The author examines their dissimilarities on issues such as their past, views on family life, displays of affection and their future. The differences between these two characters allow the writer to demonstrate that life is indeed what one makes of it. First, Malamud depicts the contrasting feelings each character has for their past. He portrays Helen as a woman full …showed first 75 words of 522 total…

…showed last 75 words of 522 total…response: "I'll wait. I'll dream. Something will happen." Moreover, Malamud clarifies the distinct ambiguity of Helen's character as the story concludes: "What am I saving myself for? she asked herself. What unhappy Bober fate?" In conclusion, Bernard Malamud deals with two very different characters in "The Assistant." In presenting their differences, the author is able to touch on the four things that affect the outcome of one's life: the past, family, love and the future.