Chaim Potok The Chosen Theme

In the novel, The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, two jewish families from different sects are brought together through the blossoming of a deep friendship between their two sons during the 1940s. It focuses on the emotional bonds forged between traditional Orthodox Jew Reuven Malter and Hasidim Danny Saunders, that last well through their childhood adventures of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, and well into adult hood. It also follows their story of self discovery, parental acceptance, and how the boys attempt to fit into their modern ,popular American society as jews , all as World War 2 comes to a close. In their pursue of happiness, many problems are presented to them, which they eventually solve ,together, despite their differences. Reuven and Danny ,in Chaim Potok's ,The Chosen, manage to successfully create a beautiful friendship , aside from their different philosophical views, through perseverance, forgiveness, trustful communication, intimate listening and understanding, being supportive and present in times of need, and just setting aside their differences and accepting each other wholeheartedly.

Parenting played a big role in shaping the two boys lives. Having a parental mentor is important because they assist and guide children to take the right decisions about their lives. The author had his two parents at the beginning of his life. Also, the author’s parents, especially his mother, tried to raise him in an effective way wanting him to know the right from wrong at an early age. “No mommy loves you, like I love you, she just wants you to do the right thing” (Moore 11). This quote was a live example of the author’s life with his parents. It reflected the different ways his parents used to teach him “the right thing.” Though his mother was upset from his action toward his sister, his father

The relationship between Danny and Reuven is a very big theme in The Chosen. Danny and Reuven are two boys who have grew up within a few blocks of each other, but in two entirely different worlds. They meet for the first time in at a school baseball game between their two Jewish schools. Even though at first their only feeling for each other is one of hatred, they eventually get over their differences and become the best of friends. They learn a lot about each other and about the others life and religion. The boys’ fathers have very different views and that’s gets them in trouble. Danny’s father disagrees with Reuven’s father’s point of view on a certain topic, and forbids Danny from ever seeing Reuven again. After some time Reb gets over himself and permits Danny to see Reuven again. This situation goes back to the fathers’ ways of raising their child and their view on their religion.

Let’s take a look at how he is proud. His proud trait can be seen when “A local reporter asks JB and I how we got so good. Dad screams from behind us,/ They learned from Da Man” (99). Mr. Bell is pleased enough with his son’s skills that he has enough courage to say that they learned/ took after him. If you had a child that was bad at something that you were extremely good at and well known for, they could tarnish your reputation. Since he views his son’s abilities as exceptional enough, he is proud of the name they have created for themselves. Another example is when Josh and JB were being coached by their father, “Filthy, keep up, man, keep up, he says/ Dad laughs out loud, and says,/ Filthy your brother is putting on a free-throw clinic” (101). The father supports them through competition. He compares them in hopes of challenging them to do better. The competition and everything in between does turn a little sour later on in the book. Otherwise, this is a good way to support and

In the book as in my personal life, there were two people with very similar environments yet their lives took completely different paths in the end. Their paths determined by the choices they made at different situations in their lives. Those choices explain who they have become and create the goals that they have set for themselves. The choices also opened up other opportunities that they each will have in their future. No matter what life may hand you always be careful with your decisions you make. Consider how this will affect me tomorrow, a week from now, or even a year from now and go with the one that leads to a better life for

Several things that happen in this book are a result of what the father and son do in their relationships for

man appears in a variety of aspects throughout the book. When Reuven first meets Michael, Michael acts like a spoiled brat. However, the more Reuven gets to know him, he learns that Michael has a mental condition and has trouble controlling his anger at times. During Reuven's time at seminary, Rav Kalman repeatedly challenges him in his education; however, it turns out Rav Kalman needed someone to talk to and fill a hole in his heart. After Reuven and Rachel broke up, it must have been a tense situation, especially for Reuven, when Rachel started dating Danny. Surprisingly, Reuven and Danny's friendship remains as strong as ever. Even though the man vs. man conflict evidently arises in multiple situations, Potok resolves all of them quite

Danny Saunders and Reuven Malters could not be more different in appearance. Following Hasidic traditions, Danny had long earlocks, wore a tzitzit, and wore shoes with a metal bottom. Also, by he is in college his beard is full-grown. The only aspect, appearance wise, that the boys had in common in the beginning of the story were their black skullcaps. Reuven had always worn glasses, but after spending countless years reading every chance he got, Danny needed them too. The stress caused by the reading and from the pressures of his family became too much on his eyes and they started to turn red and develop bags underneath them. As the firstborn son, Danny had known, for as long as he could remember, that he was to take his father’s place as tzaddik and lead his own congregation. But Danny knew that he did not belong up on a podium preaching, just like Reuven knew that he was not meant to be a math professor. Reuven’s father, David, was one of his best friends. He talked to him

Danny and Reuven represent deeply committed friends. Their live intertwine when historical circumstances , religious realities, and their father's differences in child rearing dramatically affect their respective senses of security and happiness.

In Chaim Potok’s The Chosen, two contrasting characters are introduced—Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders. They are opposites. While Reuven is forward—speaking his mind, Danny Saunders shows a stark contrast—an inflective soul, listening to silence, and growing from it. These characters set the stage for a lasting relationship to form, to be strengthened, and to be stressed.

Throughout the book, The Chosen, there are four major qualifying characters for the role of “The Chosen One”. David Malter is the father of Reuven Malter, and is an active Zionist. Reb Saunders is the father of Danny Saunders, and doesn’t talk to his son with the hopes of teaching him compassion. Reuven is Danny’s friend, and is a bridge among all the characters. Danny becomes friends with Reuven after hitting him in the eye with a softball, and also works with David in the library in secrecy. While all these characters have major roles, only one can be crowned with the winning title. Reuven Malter is “the chosen one”. Through the development of the character, Reuven, we see a sheltered young boy learn to find compassion in his heart all

Chaim Potok’s The Chosen is the story of a lasting friendship that blossoms between two Jewish boys, Danny Saunders and Reuven Malter, during and after World War II. On a deeper level, much of the plot focuses on the character of their fathers–Reb Saunders and David Malter–whose beliefs and ideals are rooted in two separate worlds. Reb Saunders is a zealous Hasidic rabbi who wants to impart his knowledge of his religion upon Danny and expects his son to follow in his footsteps. David is a professor and single father who comes from a liberal Jewish background. As the friendship between Reuven and Danny grows, both fathers try to reconcile their views with their sons and with their own

Mr. Malter tries to teach his son understanding, compassion, and tolerance which are mandatory qualities of rabbis. A good example of this lesson occurs after Reuven has gone with Danny to Danny’s synagogue and does not comprehend the actions of Danny’s father and the tradition that took place. When he comes home to his father late at night, his father tries to help him comprehend what he just witnessed:

In contrast to that of his son, however, his intelligence exudes a very formal and cold tone. Positioned in a rank of high eminence, Reb Saunders behaves very amiably, holds amicable meetings with those of his community, and discourses passionately with his son, utilizing his intellectual prowess; however, when regarding his family, he does not evince evident emotion. In fact, Reb Saunders speaks with his son exclusively during those zealous dialogues mentioned. He functions in so diplomatic a fashion that he appears much more like a statue to admire, than a father or companion to confide in. Nevertheless, his mind proves wonderfully insightful; his son even stating, “I admire him. I think he is a great man. I respect and trust him completely” (202). Overall, despite his seemingly indifferent silence, the depth of Reb Saunders’s understanding and intelligence surpasses the ordinary standard of

Family is one of the most important and influential factors in a person’s character. The characters throughout The Chosen all differ, and it is obvious how their upbringings in the home affected this. Reuven, the main character, is a very thoughtful young man, and enjoys studying both war tactics and his religious texts, both of which his father also does. His best friend Danny however is more of a rebel to his father’s will. He puts much time and energy into studying secular topics to further