American Pastoral

by

Philip Roth

Shelly Salzman Character Analysis

Shelly Salzman is Sheila’s husband. He’s a physician and an unwaveringly kind, thoughtful, and considerate man. In the months after Merry goes missing, the Swede and Sheila begin a short-lived affair. The Swede nearly confesses to Shelly out of guilt, though he ultimately decides against it. Years later, the Swede discovers that Merry went to the Salzmans after she bombed the local post office and that the couple harbored her there in secret for a few days.
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Shelly Salzman Character Timeline in American Pastoral

The timeline below shows where the character Shelly Salzman appears in American Pastoral. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 8
The Unknowability of Others  Theme Icon
...to the Levovs, the Swede’s parents, and the Orcutts—Marcia and Barry Umanoff and Sheila and Shelly Salzman. It’s only been a few hours since the Swede learned that the Salzmans hid... (full context)
Heroes, Legends, and Myth-Making  Theme Icon
American Ideals  Theme Icon
...the Watergate scandal and Deep Throat, the X-rated movie that has become a mainstream sensation. Shelly Salzman criticizes the hypocrisy of the president and vice-president, who were voted in for their... (full context)
The Unknowability of Others  Theme Icon
Lou turns to Dr. Shelly Salzman, a kindly family physician, for help. Shelly pauses and mildly replies that whether he... (full context)
Chapter 9
The Irrationality of Suffering  Theme Icon
The Unknowability of Others  Theme Icon
...must be pretending: she can’t not be rattled by their recent confrontation in the study. Shelly Salzman, meanwhile, seems genuinely to be listening, “under Dawn’s spell,” transfixed by her charm. It... (full context)
Heroes, Legends, and Myth-Making  Theme Icon
The Unknowability of Others  Theme Icon
...about Merry’s three other murders. He becomes certain that Sheila will go home and tell Shelly—her even-keeled, ethical husband—who will know that the only thing to do is to call the... (full context)