Herzog by Saul Bellow is the story of an intellectual struggling to keep a grip on his sanity. Divorced by Madeleine, his mentally abusive second wife, Herzog becomes convinced that he deserves justice. Herzog flies to Chicago to confront Madeleine and her lover Valentine Gersbach about the welfare of daughter June. This episode follows a recurring theme throughout the book, Herzog regaining his mental clarity by taking decisive action.
Prior to one of his visits to Harvey Simkin, a lawyer friend, Herzog had allowed Madeleine and Gersbach complete freedom in their adulterous affair. When Madeleine informed Herzog that she wanted a divorce, he took the news with restrained civility: "He still thought perhaps he could win by the appeal of passivity, of personality, win on the ground of being, after all, Moses--Moses Elkanah Herzog--a good man, and Madeleine's particular benefactor" (10). Granted, Herzog thought of beating Madeleine at the time, but did not want to give in to what he realized was a brutal streak within himself. As the story progresses, however, Herzog becomes concerned about his little daughter June, and the influence that Madeleine and Gersbach exert over her. Although he sends support money and asks about her welfare, Madeleine never replies. This prompts Herzog to visit Simkin regarding the possibility of suing for custody.
Simkin fires Herzog's imagination regarding the scandalous custody suit that would result. Both Madeleine and Gersbach would be crucified in court, particularly if it could be proven that June was exposed to their adulterous relationship in the home. Herzog relishes the idea and entertains the thought of murdering the lovers: "I've tested it in my mind with a gun, a knife, and felt no horror, no guilt . . . but I'll say no such thing to Harvey" (214). Throughout the novel, Herzog accuses Madeleine and Gersbach of conspiring against him, now he begins a murderous conspiracy aga...