...Chaim Potok’s novel The Chosen features Daniel, or Danny Saunders as one of the two main characters. Throughout the novel, everything that happens to Danny changes his character. Danny’s goal to become a psychologist drives everything he does. He has an “agreement with [his] father. [He studies his] quota of Talmud every day, and [Reb Saunders] doesn’t care what [he does] the rest of the time” (68). Daniel also faces the obstacle of being the son of an important Hasidic rabbi that would disapprove of his son’s goal to become a psychologist. His father, Reb Saunders, affects what he does the most. Danny’s behavior at the baseball game was all based around the fact that he told his father that Reuven’s team was “the best team around, and that [they] had a duty to beat [those] apikorsim at what [they] were best at” (71). Danny’s goals, obstacles, and acquaintances make up his character in the novel....
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...The Chosen by Chaim Potok is a story of two boys named Reuven Malter, a traditional Orthodox Jew, and Danny Saunders, a Hasidic Jew. Danny and Reuven play against each other in a heated softball game. When Danny is up to bat, he hits the softball straight at Reuven, breaking his glasses and sending him to the hospital. Danny visits Reuven in the hospital and their friendship takes off. Some people think that this would never have actually happened and people like Danny and Reuven would never become friends. However, this plot is believable. Just because Danny and Reuven have different views on life and religion does not mean that they cannot be friends. The growth of this, believable, plot is what makes the story so interesting and fun to read. Although The Chosen didn’t have any unexpected twists, it did have twists. Reb Saunders and Mr. Malter have very different views on Zionism. After Mr. Malter gives a big speech on the topic, Reb Saunders forbids Danny from speaking to Reuven. This twist is upsetting because Reuven and Danny need each other’s help, especially in college. It would be terrible to see your best friend every day, but not be able to talk to them. Waiting for Reuven and Danny to speak again may have been...
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...The Chosen by Chaim Potok is principally centered around two characters, Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders. Malter represents the more liberal Jews of his day, while Saunders represents the more conservative. The two are introduced by the book, but a tragic series of events involving an afternoon ball game result in a well built friendship. Both exemplify remarkable traits, but Danny is prime example of loyalty, endurance, and intelligence. At the time of The Chosen, the two sects (liberal and conservative) of practicing Jews rarely intermingled. This caused numerous difficulties and problems, especially with Danny’s father. Danny’s father disapproved of the liberal views of the Malters and eventually forbid Danny to even see him. But even...
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...In The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, every character, event or subject has a parallel or opposite. These relationships are used to explain things that the author is unable to just say. Three examples of these relationships are the Malter’s apartment and the Saunders’ apartment, David Malter and Reb Saunders, and David Malter and Rev Gershenson. The Malter’s apartment and the Saunders’ apartment are similar to each other. When Reuven walks in for the first time, he compares everything to his own apartment. While he is doing this, it is shown that they are living in the same apartment, with the same rooms and design. Reuven compares how Danny’s room is what, in Reuven’s apartment, was Mr. Malter’s room, and Reb Saunders’ office is where his father’s...
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... Per.4 10-14-13 The Chosen In the film “The Chosen”, the story revolves around two Jewish boys named Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders. Although both come from a Jewish background their lives are almost complete opposites. They may share some similarities, but for the most part they are raised in different Jewish traditions. Some similarities they share are the occupation of their fathers. Both Reb Saunders and Mr.Malter are leaders in their beliefs. They are both passionate about what they feel is right for the Jewish religion. They do not agree on the topic of a Jewish state though. The two have more differences than similarities though. Another similarity that is shared between the two is their education. Reuven and Danny both go to Hirsch College in New York to study. Danny wants to study Psychology while Reuven is considering becoming a Rabbi. In a later part of the film, it is revealed that Danny has transferred to Columbia to further his study in Psychology and Reuven has made the decision to become a Rabbi. There are many differences between Reuven’s and Danny’s lives. They come from different types of Jewish backgrounds. Danny comes from a conservative family where their lifestyle is very simple and they believe that there should not be a Jewish state without the Messiah. Danny is expected to be a successor to his Father’s position as leader of a Hassidic group of Jews. Danny comes from a more liberal background where he has more...
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...Silence is a very important theme used in The Chosen. In The Chosen there is a lot of silence between Danny and his father. It can used a variety of ways but most importantly you can learn from it. Silence is represented when people may lack an explanation. Silence can be a pathway the soul where there is a connection between silence and people. Silence can be viewed as painful and sometimes comfortable, but mainly confusing. Silence is like the wind. Sometimes you feel it, rushing through your hair and causing goose bumps on your arms and legs, while other times it goes by unnoticed, you can feel it but can't see it. Silence acting as a teacher is a hard concept to comprehend, but Reb Saunders understands it well, partly because it's the...
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...offended which can scar relationships. In Chaim Potok’s novel, The Chosen, three different characters acted behind one anothers’ backs, which led to trouble concerning their relationships. Danny Saunders, (Reuven’s friend) David Malter, (Reuven’s father) and Reb Saunders, (Danny’s father) involved themselves in a sticky situation. As a result of their actions, these three individuals ultimately broke a fundamental bond, that of one another’s trust. In an attempt to continue his reading studies, Danny made secret trips to the local library. While there, he took the book suggestions from a friendly man, and soon began picking out books on his own. However, Danny knew if he told his father of all he had read, his dad would be greatly disappointed. At one point, Danny revealed this to Reuven:” I read in the library so my father won’t know. He’s very strict about what I read” (p79). Consequently, whenever he ventured to the library, he constantly felt on his guard and paranoid for fear...
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...power within a family. However, few stop to think about the feelings of the people involved, and whether or not they desire this inherited this position.An excellent example of this, illustrated in The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, gives insight into the life of an heir who does not necessarily desire his inheritance. Danny Saunders is the son of a well-known and well-respected rabbi named Reb Saunders, who brought his people to New York from a faraway country and continues the tradition of his forefathers in leadership and religion. Since birth, Danny's designated position, to lead his father's people, has been set in stone. Although resigned to his fate, Danny still possesses a rebellious nature. Main traits observable in Danny are intelligence, determination, and discontentment....
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...“Be humble, be teachable, and always keep learning.” This saying teaches one to do these three things. Throughout life, one never stops learning. For example, in the book The Chosen by Chaim Potok, three characters in particular demonstrate the willingness to learn and work hard. As a rabbi, David Malter must be willing to learn and be open to different things. Reuven and Danny, both students, learn constantly and spend free time reading and learning. David, Reuven, and Danny all express eagerness to learn. Firstly, David Malter, a rabbi, shows his willingness to learn. David works hard and spends much time reading. Books fill his study and the shelves go floor to ceiling (95.) It shows how he spends his free time and that he fills his time...
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...comforts that others would not dream of living without. Danny, a character in The Chosen, shares many similar traits with Christ. Regardless of circumstances, Danny always sacrifices his plans, forgives those who have wrong him and shows a loving personality. Through these characteristics, Danny enriches both his life and others by following in the footsteps of Christ. By displaying these traits, Danny matures, and finally learns the true plan God has for his life. The fruit of living a forgiving, sacrificial, and loving life may not immediately filled Danny’s life with joy, but eventually Danny’s Christ like attitude led him to live the life God intended him to. Throughout Danny’s life, the reality faces him that he must take his father’s place and become a Rabbi. However, becoming a Rabbi is Danny’s last wish. His wishes to continue his education, and possibly become a phycologist. While Danny wants nothing more than to continue his studies, he still tries to fulfill his father’s expectations. He sacrifices his relationship with his own father, to meet the standards his father expects. Danny had every opportunity to rebel against his father, however...
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...Lastly, conformity can make a community lose their singularity, due to the consequences. As stated before conformity can be shown as the domino effect, it makes people dress the same, act the same. Overall it takes the uniqueness out of people. With this a community would not be the same, “ Did you know the Duc de Candale was his patron? Who is yours? Cyrano- No one. Meddler- No one- no patron?”(Act 1, 26) In this quote Cyrano is being judged, because he does not have what everyone in the community has. Since Cyrano is being judged, readers can see that the Meddler sees him different, instead of noticing that he is a unique meddler, that does not conform to what the society says. Another example of how conformity changes the singularity...
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...In The Chosen by Chaim Potok, Danny’s typical day consists of going to his father’s Hasidic Yeshiva, undergoing annual debates on various Jewish topics, and in between he sneaks off to the public library. Danny’s character exhibits intelligence, loneliness, and confliction between two worlds. Danny’s confliction lies between pursuing his dreams or obeying his father’s will. He must choose between replacing his father’s position of rabbi for his closed in community or becoming a psychologist for the outside world. Danny believes that if he accepts the role of rabbi he will feel enclosed in the responsibility resulting in losing his own interests. The burden of others will suppress his independent thought. “Do know what it’s like to be trapped?...
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...Fathers come in many different form and behaviors. But each dad act as teachers for their children. Within the award-winning book, The Chosen, three parental figures hold distinctive teaching styles. Roger Merrit impacted his son with an honest and faith-filled character. Reb Saunders lived his life as the righteous leader of a Hasidic Jew community, and sparked his son's respect and curiosity in their religion. Lastly, David Malter revealed love for his son through mannerisms and guided him in affection. Roger Merrit, a widower and single father, carried himself with honesty. Due to his sincere nature, his son, Billy trusted him fully. Billy conveyed his belief through his past, to Reuven, the narrator of the story, ‘"I had an accident...
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...semester we dug into two page turning and eye opening novels, one set in the small town of Macomb Alabama and the other in Brooklyn New York. First, we picked apart the intricacies of racism and losing one’s innocents in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Soo after, we examined the complexities of Judaism and the terrors of the Holocaust in Chain Potok’s The Chosen. Although both possess great merit and provide a window into the past, one story spoke to me on an interpersonal level unlike any book has done for me before. Thankfully I may display my bias in all its glory as I state the case for why I choose The Chosen. Potok’s gripping story contains a more mature and introspective writing style, more relatable characters, and a theme more applicable to my life....
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...“Wisdom can not be communicated” Throughout the course of Religions of the World we have explored and discussed many different religions. We have learned about various types of Gods and worship within that. Siddhartha claims that “Wisdom can not be communicated” but I feel like after taking this course I have definitely learned a lot about different religions not only through texts I have read but also through other students opinions in class. Themes that are conveyed through Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse and The Chosen by Chaim Potok are very different but they have both taught me a lesson that has helped strengthened my faith as a Catholic. Siddhartha is a very unique character and a main theme that is presented throughout the text is spirituality and enlightenment can only be found within yourself. When Siddhartha is having a conversation with Govinda and Govinda believes Siddhartha is “jesting” and wants to know more about Siddhartha’s independent ways. Govinda doesn’t really understand the fundamentals of Siddhartha’s past and how he has achieved his faith. Siddhartha powerfully responds, “I have had many thoughts but it would be difficult for me to tell you about them. But this one has impressed me, Govinda. Wisdom is not communicable…I am telling you what I have discovered. Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it” (Hesse, 142). What he means by this is...
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