Chaim Potok's Asher Lev is a book of how young Asher grows and develops into an artist. He struggles with many issues and deals with them eventually. One sees his view of his world and is able to examine Asher as he is describing himself and others. In the beginning, he immediately identifies and introduces himself as "an observant Jew So strong words are being generated: I am a traitor, and apostate, a self-hater, an inflictor of shame upon my family, my friends, my people- which gave me an initial idea that this man named Asher would have done something so outrageous that he would label himself as a traitor and accept it. .
Toward the beginning, Asher indicates that he is a religious Jew. It was also noticeable that the first hints of his artistic talent were when he drew portraits of his mother, Rivkeh, and his goal to make the world "pretty." He grew up in Brooklyn and pictorially described almost everything, including his streets, in an artistic manner. As Asher grew and matured, he felt a need almost an urge to draw uncontrollably. However, his father, who dedicates himself to his religion, his job and the Rebbe, believes that this gift is from the Other Side or the sitra otra, and discourages him to continue drawing. .
"If you were a genius in mathematics, I would understand. If you were a genius in writing, I would also understand. If you were a genius in Gemorra, I would certainly understand. But a genius in drawing is foolishness, and I will not let it interfere with our lives. Do you understand me, Asher?" pg. 136 At the same time, he encountered the adjustment of different cultures not to mention the torment of his own teacher and classmates who made his nickname "Rembrandt Lev.".
After a series of occurrences, such as his milestone during his bar mitzvah, or his daily visits to the art shop and his perpetual drawings, which cluttered up his tiny room, Potok decides that it was about time Asher matured, and took his destined artistic talent as a serious career.