Question

How does the name "schlemiel" contribute to the indirect characterization of professor schlemiel?

Answer 1

The name "Schlemiel" contributes to the indirect characterization in the story because;

Schlemiel means "an ineffectual, bumbling person," and this description fits the  forgetful Professor Schlemiel very well.

Schlemiel is a Yiddish word, originally rooted in German that means, ineffectual, awkward, clumsy, and confused. All of these words correctly describe the character of Professor Schlemiel who is always forgetful.

In the story, "The Day I Got Lost", Professor Schlemiel forgot everything that was in his possession. These included his umbrella, his glasses, his briefcase, his handkerchief, and his house address!

These are signs of a bumbling and confused person.

This story was a chapter from a memoir that he was composing and he prayed that he does not forget the manuscript somewhere before it was concluded.