Stephen Rojack

An American Dream

Norman Mailer’s An American Dream was written for installments that were published in the magazine Esquire from January through August 1964. (Bridge) Norman wrote many of his novels from true-life experiences. This novel was defined as a “contemporary classic” three years after it was published in 1965. (Bridge)

This book is based upon a man named Stephen Rojack. He believes that death is “ a creation more dangerous than life.” He comes to this conclusion when fighting in World War II while staring into the eyes of a German soldier whom he had mortally wounded. (Lennon) He compares his battles in war to war with his soon to be ex-wife Deborah Kelly. They were on the verge on getting a divorce when he strangled her to death. He then turns toward their maid Ruta and they have sex. After this encounter he goes back to Deborah’s apartment and makes it look like she jumped from the window when he actually tossed her body out looking like she had killed herself. Stephen Rojack was a very well known man, author, professor, TV talk show host and a congressman. He admits that his marriage was “a losing war”. He thought the only way he could win with Deborah was to kill her. After this encounter he goes through many more confrontations with the police, mob, Barney Kelly, and also Cherry the blonde nightclub singer he met. (Lennon)


Rojack thought that his marriage to Deborah would eventually lead him to presidency. (Lennon) He is caught between many emotions. He seems he very much still loved Deborah but could not handle being without her. They were still intimate but also fought a lot. He considered her death a way out of being angry. Stephen was also suicidal with her. His only way out of her cruel ways was to kill her. He becomes intimate with Cherry shortly after killing Deborah. Cherry represents Stephen’s chance for physical and spiritual fulfillment. She makes him feel loved and special and although they haven’t known each other long they tell each other they love each other. He also has an encounter with Cherry’s former lover, Shago Martin, whom Stephen gets into a fight with and sends him away. After Stephen leaves Cherry to meet with Deborah’s father, Shago shows back up at Cherry’s place and kills her.


Stephen is with Barney Kelly at his house discussing Deborah’s death. This meeting seems as if Barney wants Stephen to dies after he admits to Deborah’s father that he killed her. Stephen lies to Barney at first and then admits the truth. During these thirty-two hours in Stephen Rojack’s life many events happen. While at Barney’s home he climbs upon the parapet maybe to prove to Barney that he was not scared and he could do anything. Barney tries to push Stephen off with Shago’s umbrella.

In the end Stephen Rojack has gotten away with murder and decides to travel west after his love Cherry has been killed. Stephen Rojack was a good man at one time but he deserves to be put in jail. The police had all the evidence but let it drop to take carry of the man in the mob they had been trying to catch. I believe that he loved Deborah very much but could not handle her ways so he took her out of this earth to ease his own pain of wanting to commit suicide. Norman Mailer wrote an exquisite book that was wonderful to read and interesting.


WORKS CITED

1.) Gordon, Andrew , Norman Mailer. Gale Group Databases. Macon State College Library.

Macon, GA. 19 Mar, 2007 galenet.galegroup.com



2.) Lennon, Michael L , Norman Mailer. Gale Group Databases. Macon State College Library.

Macon, GA. 19 Mar, 2007 galenet.galegroup.com



3.) Whalen-Bridge, John. Gale Group Databases. Macon State College Library. Macon, GA. 19

Mar, 2007 galenet.galegroup.com