S. Y. Agnon

            A Metaphor is when one thing is used to represent another, a symbol. A journey is a common way for numerous authors to explain metaphors. S. Y. Agnon is a well known Jewish writer who uses different types of journeys to examine the Jewish traditions metaphorically. Among Agnon's short stories, common themes of the traditions of Judaism are found to be described through journeys. Two of his short stories that contain these widespread themes are "To Father's House" and "A Whole Loaf".
             The short story, "To Father's House" by S. Y. Agnon, is about Passover and the family traditions. In the Jewish tradition, holidays are almost always shared amongst the family. The narrator in "To Father's House" lives far from his family and does not visit very often. In the beginning of the story, he finds himself deciding what to do due to the fact that his home is being painted. "I can't do my work, so I"ll go to my home town, to my father's house I haven't fulfilled the commandment of respect for Father" (To Father's House, 21). In doing so he boards a train to journey to his father's home town. Once in his father's home town, he enters a temple to say prayers before continuing on to his father's. There he speaks with Isaac Euchel, where they discuss bible and smoke cigarettes. Finally, when he arrives at his father's house, he sees that Passover Seder has already begun and he cannot interrupt. .
             Another one of S. Y. Agnon's short stories, "A Whole Loaf", is based around one of the most important days of the week in the Jewish religion, the Sabbath. The narrator is all alone; he must fen for himself with out his family there after the evening prayers. On his way to the temple he meets with Dr. Ne"eman, who gives him important letters to bring to the post office. Now he is faced with the decision on whether to fill his craving and need for food or to do the responsible thing and send out Dr. Ne"eman's letters first.