The First Seven Years

It is clear early in the story that there is something more to the relationship between Sobel and Miriam than the exchange of books. What clues point to the possibility of a successful relationship between the two?

Sobel and Max are foils. How do they compare and contrast to each other? How does the presence of each character allow Malamud to explore ideas about the meaning of success?

Why does Feld initially resist the idea of Sobel marrying his daughter? What makes him relent and allow the courtship to go forward after Miriam is of age?