The narrator of the story is Reuven Malter. The protagonist in the book however is Danny Saunders, his friend. The main conflict is about Danny's attitude towards his father and with him the Jewish Orthodox traditions. He is supposed to be the ancestor of his father and the intended leader of the Hassidic community. Danny however has got a serious problem: he is highly intelligent. His father has a special way of expressing that: " I went away and cried to the Master of the Universe, "What have you done to me? A mind like this I need for a son? A heart I need for my son, a soul I need for a son, compassion I want from my son, righteousness, mercy, strength to suffer and carry pain, that I want from my son, not a mind without a soul!"" Throughout the book Reb Saunders was convinced that he had to raise his son in complete silence in order to develop a soul, compassion, mercy, etc. in his son. Finally he explains all that through Reuven to his son and I think that is a positive development in the relationship between Danny and his father. In the end of the story he and his father come to a decision about Danny's future; he is allowed to break with the Jewish traditions and to study psychology. Although one may differ from opinion about this way of education and raising a child, I have great respect for the emotional efforts and sacrifices of the father. .
2. There is certainly symbolism and irony in the title. The Chosen are the Orthodox Jews who consider themselves God's Chosen People. But in the story The Chosen also refers to Danny who has been chosen by his father to become the next Rabbi. (This title is inherited by birth but can also be fulfilled by his brother) In the end Danny has chosen not to become the tsaddik. Another example of symbolism is the day that Reb Saunders told Reuven and Danny all about his life and his way of educating Danny. That day was the Festival of Freedom for the Jews and at the same time it was the day that Danny became free to direct his own life.
The Chosen The Chosen, written by Chaim Potok, portrays the life of two Jewish boys and their upbringings. ... The "chosen" has several levels of meaning. First, it refers to the Jewish people as being the chosen people of God. ... Most importantly, however, Reuven is a chosen one. ... The Chosen was an inspiring novel. ...
"Zionism in The Chosen" One of the major conflicts in The Chosen is between the Zionists and the Anti-Zionists. This conflict greatly impacted many of the characters in The Chosen. ... The Zionist conflict greatly impacted many peoples lives, not only in The Chosen, but in world history. ...
Wanting Peace In Brussels, Belgium, Muslim and Jewish neighborhoods have requested forbearance on attacks on synagogues, churches and mosque. Minister Laurette Onkelinx has asked Associations, industrialist, anti-racism groups and Human rights leagues to connect the challenge. It shows every type o...
P.1 English Essay In the books The Catcher in the Rye, written by J.D. 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...
You are the Chosen One Stigmata is something that doesn't occur very often, but when is does it is considered a blessing or sometimes not. ... Noted on the MetaReligion web site, that best describes the reasoning behind what causes stigmata is that the victims are chosen by god to help spread the faith and bring good will to others. ...
In Chaim Potok's, "The Chosen," two unlikely friends meet each other at a baseball game and become the best of friends. As the novel progresses, the story is about the friendship that evolves between Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders when Reuven has an injury and is in the hospital. Reuven goes to th...
The Chosen Essay Setting: Danny is visiting Reuven for the second time in the hospital. The first time that Danny visited, Reuven told him off, proper. However, this second visit (after Reuven had a talk with his father) is different. Danny is almost welcomed by Reuven, is this because Reuv...
Danny Saunders and Reuven Maltar have been building up a very strong relationship over the beginning of the book. Not the normal kind of friendly relationship, but the best friends always there for each other type of relationship. They go to the library together and read books even though Danny's father forbids it. Something very surprising happens while Danny, Reuven, and Danny's father are studying Talmud. Danny's father knows Danny had been reading at the library behind his back and instead of confronting his son, he tells Danny to go get tea for them, and he asks Reuven,...
