In the books The Catcher in the Rye, written by J. Salinger, and The Chosen, written by Chaim Potok two characters can be compared in a way they teach a young person. These two people I have chosen are Reb Saunders from The Chosen and Mr. Spencer from The Catcher in The Rye. These two men teach either their student or son ways to live their lives. Through their teaching you see compassion towards their pupil. The comparisons of them are through teaching by example, leading their students down the right path in life, and helping others along the way. These two men really do teach not only one person but many people through their actions. .
The teaching by example is extremely evident in the case of Reb Saunders. He teaches his son Danny to look into his soul for answers to questions because Reb does not really talk to Danny at all unless he is teaching him the Talmud. Old Spencer explains to Holden that he needs to go down a right path in life just as he did. Through this teaching both of these students learn life lessons. Holden continues to refer to Old Spencer and his comments about life. Danny ends up going for his own dream of being a psychologist even though he is in a line of being the successor to his father as a rabbi. Reb Saunders in the end of the book breaks down the reason he taught Danny in silence the way he did. He said that he taught this way because it is how he was taught. Later he says though, he sort of regrets teaching Danny this way and thinks that Danny even though he felt very awkward he should teach his son the same way. The way he teaches though, really gives Danny an advance in life because he had to be independent and find his own answers. Old Spencer really didn't give Holden that only taught him about life and actions.
P.2.
Both Reb Saunders and Old Spencer really taught their students about life. Old Spencer especially teaches Holden about life. In one instance he says that life is a game and Holden should go and play b the rules.
