For a show that was marketed as if it wasn’t about anything, the sitcom Seinfeld I’m sure he touched on a lot of different topics. Well-known themes involved relationship problems, problems with co-workers, and learning to live in peace among the many eccentric citizens of New York City.
One of the often-overlooked features of the show was its literary emphasis, a rare component in most modern sitcoms. The main character was a comedian, and was occasionally shown at his table trying to write new material.
His friend and former lover Elaine (played by Julia Louis Dreyfuss) works for a publishing house, where her main job is reading manuscripts. Her father was also involved in the world of books, having been the author of several works.
In addition to the literary ties implied by their various occupations, the characters often directly mention or allude to famous books. Here are nine of those titles and the episodes they are referenced in.
Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
This controversial novel mentioned in the episode “The Library” was the one that Jerry thought had prompted a visit from the book cop, Mr. Bookman, who was looking into a novel Seinfeld had read when he was in high school.
Tropic of Capricorn by Henry Miller
At the end of “The Library”, an old girlfriend reveals that it was this novel by the same author that Jerry had borrowed, and the book is shown among the possessions of his former but now homeless PE teacher.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
The 1994 episode “The Marine Biologist” is memorable for George (played by Jason Alexander) who pretends to have that profession, but Elaine gets in trouble with her employers when she claims that this Russian classic was originally titled War, what Is It Good For?
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote
After joining a book club in the 1994 episode “The Couch,” George finds he can’t get by on this American classic. He ends up inviting himself to see the play with the family who had rented the only copy of the film.
french impressionists
So literary was the sitcom that not only did it use The Library as its title, but in 1998 it also named another “The Bookstore.” George takes this book into the bathroom, but the store forces him to buy it and prevents him from selling it or even giving it away.
Falconer by John Cheever
Susan’s father is accused of having an affair with the American author in a 1992 episode called “The Cheever Letters” after Kramer found some love letters between the two men. This book is the only work directly mentioned on the show, though the writers could have chosen from a large number in the Cheever anthology.
Daniel O’Brien’s Big Game
In a 1992 episode called “The Limo,” George and Jerry pretend to be this author and his friend, even though neither had heard of the book that was the focus of the limo ride.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This classic novel about children stranded on a secluded island is mentioned in the 1991 episode with the appropriate title “The Library”.
John D. McDonald’s Cape Fear
Elaine mentions this title in the 1991 episode “The Red Dot”, shortly before discovering the small crimson mark on the sweater George had given her.
