Discusses theme in three stories. Isaac Bashevis Singer "The Son from America", Niel Bissoondath "There Are a Lot of Ways to Die." , Philip Roth's "Defender of the Faith"

Interpretive literature has a point, or better stated, a theme; this theme helps to centralize the story and give it purpose. Written by Isaac Bashevis Singer, "The Son from America", centers on the pleasures of ignorance. Niel Bissoondath makes the "crisis" in mid-life crisis the crux of his story, "There Are a Lot of Ways to Die." Philip Roth's "Defender of the Faith" deals with the conflict of values such as justice and mercy. Theme …

… which we put into life, what we get back can often leave us bitter and wanting. Rarely ever can a conflict have only two sides, more often then not the myriad of possible solutions causes us more anguish then the conflict itself. Life is full of choices. Even though so many of those put us between a rock and a hard place, one may still find joy and happiness in the simplest little things.