Mor(t)ality in Philip Roth's Everyman: A Question of Brotherhood Anonymous College

One of the most powerful aspects of Philip Roth’s novel Everyman is how relatable it is, just as the title would suggest. This is particularly vividly portrayed in the aspects of the novel dealing with Everyman’s relationship with his brother, Howie, as well as with his own contemplations of mortality. Everyman loves his brother, but also deeply resents him. Everyman, like quite literally every man, has hurt many people but has also been capable of great good. The relationship between Everyman and his brother is a microcosm of that dynamic.

The novel begins at its ending, with Everyman’s funeral, which is a sad, small affair with few attendees. In this scene, Howie is introduced to the reader as follows: “The next to throw dirt onto the lid of the coffin was Howie, who’d been the object of his worship when they were children and in return had always treated him with gentleness and affection, patiently teaching him to ride a bike and to swim and to play all the sports in which Howie himself excelled” (Roth 5). This passage seems to set up the whole dynamic between Everyman and Howie, depicting Howie as a loving older brother and Everyman as a worshipful younger one. But is it really that simple? This passage “works” on many...