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Snow In August Quotes

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Snow in August highlights the life of an 11 year old Irish boy named Michael Devlin living in Brooklyn in the year 1947. During 1947 Michael, who is a devout Catholic becomes friends with a Jewish rabbi by the name of Judah Hirsch. While Michael is developing his relationship with the rabbi a gang leader by the name of Frankie McCarthy attacks Mister G, a local candy store owner. This event results in the police pursuing Frankie and since Michael was a witness to the crime, Frankie threatens to harm Michael if he chooses to say anything to the police about Frankie’s whereabouts. Many statements about human nature are expressed throughout the novel such as man's ability to demonstrate injustice to humans who are of a race that is different …show more content…

He liked his accent. He liked what seemed to be a good heart. He liked the way he didn't treat him like a kid and the way he was unafraid to make mistakes in his new language." In this quote Michael expresses why he admires the rabbi and takes such a liking to him even though the rabbi is of a different religion and has different beliefs. Michael communicates that differences in religion should not have an impact on the relationship of two people. It is human nature to treat others the way one would want to be treated regardless of the differences in beliefs two different people may have. This simple fact of life is personified in every interaction Micheal had with the rabbi since the rabbi treated Michael as an adult and with a great amount of respect and kindness, in spite of the fact that Michael is a Christian and he is a Jew. Michael reiterates the kindness and respect embodied by the rabbi back towards him regardless of the fact that he may disagree with the rabbi's …show more content…

One day after his return from the hospital the rabbi came to Michael's home. He explains to Michael's mother that he tried three times to visit him at the hospital, but the police would not let him in. Michael's mother gave praises to the rabbi for caring so much about the well-being of her son. It did not matter to her that the rabbi had different beliefs than her, she treated him with the utmost respect kindness and compassion. Michael’s mother asked the rabbi, "Do still believe in God." When the rabbi shook his head side to side. It was evident that Michael's mother disagreed with him since she was a devout catholic and strongly believed in God. However, even though she disagreed with the rabbi's beliefs, she still treated him with respect afterwards because he was still a kind and compassionate person, regardless of what he chose to

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