Thewanderingjew

I had forgotten most of the tale until I picked it up again to reread and I am overwhelmed by the hardship and futility of the lives of the characters. Their hopelessness coupled with their fortitude, that often goes unrewarded, is devasting. The writing appears almost simplistic but the message is so profound. As I read I am aware of the seeds that are being planted for the Cultural Revolution. The poverty and ignorance led to so much jealousy and greed.
Sometimes the book frightens me because I am reminded of our situation in the US, today. There is so much greed and selfishness currently. Did this lead us to this need for more government intervention, more socialism, which ultimately fails in every culture? Those that do less want more from those that are more productive and there seems to be no just reward anymore for hard work anymore. Is this our Cultural Revolution?