Analysis "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok
Analysis "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok
The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, is a book about friendship between two boys from vastly different religious Jewish backgrounds. Their initial distrust and hatred for each other, because of their different backgrounds, gives way to understanding, and develops into a deep friendship. Each character grew up in a tight community. Their deep study of their traditions has led them to be ignorant of the outside world.
Daniel Saunders is the son of Rabbi Reb Saunders and the protagonist of the novel. He is a brilliant boy who is confused by the ideologies of his Hasidic religion. Despite his confusion, he is very open-minded. His ancestors for the past five generations had been very honorable and respected rabbis in their own synagogues. He was expected to grow up and take over his father's position. Despite Danny's interest in reading outside books and his trips to the library, he is also deeply religious and a great Talmud scholar. His friendship with Reuven Malter, who is supposedly less religious than Hasidics are expected to be, drew him into a secular world affecting some of his viewpoints and values of the world. By meeting Reuven Malter, he realized many things that he has been missing, he realizes the differences in the way they are raised, treated and their cultures. Daniel's character in the book has been waiting for a reason to "rebel" against his father's ways. Reb Saunders was very aware of his son's views but tried to avoid it throughout the book by using the method of silence. Reb Saunders has stated in the last chapter(p.267) that he knew about everything all along, " You think I was cruel? Yes, I see from your eyes that you think I was cruel to my Daniel. Perhaps. But he has learned. Let my Daniel become a psychologist. I do not see his books? I did not see the letters from the universities? I do not see his eyes? I do not hear his soul crying? Of course I know."
Reb Saunders character in the book was very strict and closed-minded. He believes that orthodox are corrupt in their beliefs, that they should be studying the Torah a lot more, and be much more religious in everything they do, such as praying to God. One event that showed his fixed views of the world was during the issue of the Jewish...