The Human Stain

Summary

Philip Roth's novel «The Human Stain» tells the story of Professor Coleman Silk, who is forced to resign due to accusations of racism. However, this is just the beginning of his troubles. It soon becomes clear that Silk has a secret he has kept all his life: he is African American passing as white. Against the backdrop of this personal drama, events unfold involving his relationships with a young woman, Faunia Farley, and writer Nathan Zuckerman, who becomes his friend and biographer. The novel explores themes of identity, racial prejudice, and the consequences of hidden secrets, while also touching on questions of morality and human nature.