Nathanael West: The Early Life and Influences of a Literary Rebel
Before becoming a noted voice in American literature, the author known as Nathanael West lived a life marked by academic rebellion, eclectic intellectual pursuits, and a penchant for the unconventional. Born Nathan Weinstein in New York City, West grew up in a prosperous Ashkenazi Jewish household on the Upper West Side. His father, Max (Morduch) Weinstein, was a construction contractor, and his mother, Anuta (Anna), hailed from Kovno, Russia (modern-day Kaunas, Lithuania).
Academic Struggles and Intellectual Awakening
West's relationship with formal education was fraught with friction. Showing little interest in traditional academics, he dropped out of high school. His entry into higher education was characterized by deception; he first gained admission to Tufts College by forging his high school transcripts. After being expelled from Tufts, he managed to enter Brown University by appropriating the transcripts of his cousin, also named Nathan Weinstein.
While West neglected much of his required coursework at Brown, he immersed himself in an extensive personal reading regimen. He consciously avoided the realist fiction popular among his American contemporaries, turning instead toward French surrealism—an artistic and literary movement seeking to release the unconscious mind—and the decadent poets of 1890s Britain and Ireland, most notably Oscar Wilde. This period fostered his lifelong interest in unusual literary styles, mysticism, and the intersection of Christianity and art.
Personal Anecdotes and Social Circles
During his youth, West was known among friends at Camp Paradox in the Adirondacks as "Pep," an ironic nickname given to him because of his somnolent, or sleepy, disposition. He often recounted a humorous yet harrowing story about a baseball game where his lack of physical coordination cost his team the victory. According to his friend Wells Root, West described a moment where a fly ball tore through his hands and hit him in the forehead, prompting an angry mob of bettors to chase him into the woods until nightfall.
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Whether this event occurred exactly as described remains unclear, but it later served as inspiration for his short story "Western Union Boy." Due to the exclusionary nature of fraternities toward Jewish students at the time, West's primary social bond was with S.J. Perelman, who would later become his brother-in-law after marrying West's sister, Laura.
Professional Transitions and Literary Roots
After barely completing his degree at Brown, West spent three months in Paris, where he officially adopted the pen name Nathanael West. Upon returning to New York, he faced a changing family dynamic as his parents encountered financial difficulties in the late 1920s. This forced West into the workforce, where he worked sporadically in his father's construction business.
West eventually found employment as the night manager of the Hotel Kenmore Hall on East 23rd Street in Manhattan. The observations he made during his tenure at the hotel provided the raw material for the interaction between Romola Martin and Homer Simpson in his 1939 novel, The Day of the Locust. By 1933, he had moved on to manage the Sutton Hotel, located at 330 E. 56th Street in New York City.
Key Facts
- Birth Name: Nathan Weinstein.
- Education: Attended Tufts College (expelled) and Brown University (degree obtained).
- Literary Influences: French surrealists and 1890s poets like Oscar Wilde.
- Career: Worked in construction and as a hotel manager at Hotel Kenmore Hall and the Sutton Hotel.
- Notable Connection: Close friend and brother-in-law to S.J. Perelman.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City, Upper West Side |
| Family Background | Ashkenazi Jewish; father was a construction contractor |
| Academic Path | Tufts College & Brown University |
| Key Literary Interests | Surrealism, Mysticism, and Decadent Poetry |
| Professional Roles | Construction worker, Hotel Manager |
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nathan Weinstein become Nathanael West?
He adopted the name Nathanael West during a three-month stay in Paris following his graduation from Brown University.
What influenced West's writing style?
West was heavily influenced by French surrealists and British and Irish poets of the 1890s, such as Oscar Wilde, favoring unusual content and stylistic experimentation over American realism.
Did West's professional life influence his fiction?
Yes. His experience as the night manager of the Hotel Kenmore Hall in Manhattan inspired specific character incidents in his novel The Day of the Locust.
What was West's relationship with S.J. Perelman?
S.J. Perelman was one of West's closest friends during his college years and later became his brother-in-law after marrying West's sister, Laura.
How did West enter Brown University?
After being expelled from Tufts College, West gained admission to Brown University by using the academic transcripts of his cousin, who shared the same name.