Fiddler on the Roof

In the Prologue, Tevye, the musical’s protagonist, introduces the inhabitants of their village of Anatevka. Tevye compares those who live there to “a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck” (1). He adds that they stay because the village is home, even when it is dangerous, and what keeps life in harmony is tradition. Tevye is a father to five daughters, and in the song “Tradition,” he explains that his role as the father of the house is to work to feed his family, pray, and “have the final word at home” (1). The mothers sing that their role is to keep the house and children. The sons’ job is to begin learning a trade at age 10 and then marry the brides selected for them. The daughters are trained to become wives and mothers, marrying the men chosen by their fathers. Additionally, there is Yente, the village matchmaker, Nahum, the town beggar, and Anatevka’s Rabbi. Outside of the tightly-knit Jewish community are the Russians, of whom Tevye says, “We don’t bother them and so far they don’t bother us” (4).