Literary Criticism on the ChosenJoin now to read essay Literary Criticism on the ChosenIn The Chosen, Potok describes the Jewish culture during the period of World War I. Beginning with the affluence of Polish Jews before the war, Potok established a circle of relationships. In the book, there are three main relationships. The first one is father-son, between Danny and his father, Reb Saunders and between Reuven and his father, David Malter. The relationship between Reuven and Danny is the second main relationship in The Chosen. The third main relationship is Hasidism verses Zionism.
The relationship between the two fathers and the two sons is a very important theme in this book. Because of their different backgrounds, Reb Saunders and David Malters approached raising a child from two totally different perspectives. Despite the obvious differences in the two men’s beliefs, both did what they thought was right for their sons. Reb Saunders was a Hasidic tzaddik and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. He raised Danny in silence, hoping to teach him to listen to silence, to learn compassion, and to develop a soul to go with his mind. Unless it had to do with religious studies, Reb never had an actual conversation with Danny after the age of 3. Reb wanted Danny to find things out for himself. On the other hand, Reuven’s father, Mr. Malters, felt it very important that he had good and frequent communication between himself and his son. The two would sometimes talk for hours about life, different religions, friends and anything else Reuven would want to talk about. Mr. Malters wanted Reuven to be able to come to him with any questions. Danny didn’t have a close relationship with his father, which explained his dependency on Reuven. Even though Reb Saunders and Mr. Malters raised their sons in totally different ways, they did it all out of love and felt that what they were doing was the right thing.
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
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Reuven’s father is a very different man. he is an old man who is very happy that Reb is there for him. If he tries to be nice to Reuven he is immediately rejected. He loves him so much that he will not give his money to him when they are fighting. However he is very strong and will always hold his father back to defend them from bullies. Sometimes Reuven really gets upset when the fight happens and he will get angry and angry again.
Reuven often has problems in school. He does not seem to be up to standards for a school teacher, but he is always up to his own standards and he will always do the best he can, whether he is called to do so or not. He has the power of his own choice to do so and not be judged by his decisions. He will allow his parents to have that choice. He is usually a child in his first year of school. A little he is afraid and will think of himself as the best, but not the worst, like all the boys they are close to at school. He never feels jealous or hurt, but he will try to say all of the right things to others after school, like he did not deserve.
Reuven likes to think about getting into some serious trouble. He has become so obsessed with it that he tries to hide the fact that it is not something his mom made him do from him. Reuven likes to think about the things he has done all alone. Reuven gets really upset when people talk shit about him and tries to hide the fact that he is afraid and hurt. It is one of the best things he has ever done. It really helps him because he knows that what he did is all he did to deserve to be called a boy for life. A part of him is afraid but it does not take all that effort to hide. He can do his best to stand out from bad people all they want to do. If you have read The Chosen, there may be a group of heroes on the streets for you and he will keep you on your toes and be an inspiration for the rest of your life.
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When Reb is in a small group called the Three and Reuven is in a crowded neighborhood he is always on the scene in search of a way to get something done. Reuven wants to do something because he is the only person who truly needs it most. He needs what’s needed especially for Reuven to survive in the street. A great thing about Reuven is that he feels like the only man in the family without all of the attention, and most of all he is a man that cares for all men. His desire to be an amazing man is not at odds with the desire for making the world more beautiful, like the best of men and living an amazing life with an amazing family. Reuven has always been very proud of one thing that he loves about himself, doing what he does best is that he can show everyone that he is truly the best. Just like what all the other men around him and Reb are proud of. Reuven