The article discusses the political nature of E.L. Doctorow's fiction and how it relates to his upbringing and Jewish heritage. It also explores the New Criticism approach to literature and its influence on the perception of political novels in the 1950s. The author argues that Doctorow's pull towards political fiction is rooted in his family's and his own political and religious views, which have been characterized as radical Jewish humanism.
# Political fiction
Michelle Tokarczyk examines E. L. Doctorow's 'politics of indirection' in his novels, exploring the connections between personal and historical events. She challenges the notion that all novelists are political novelists and delves into the complex interactions between public and private spheres in Doctorow's work. Tokarczyk's analysis offers a fresh perspective on Doctorow's commitment to politics and the role of fiction in exploring political issues.