Analysis Of Chaim Potok's The Chosen

768 Words2 Pages

No father is perfect. Every father has his own strengths and weaknesses. Each father shows his love for his children in different ways and at times, well hidden, at other times, obvious. In Chaim Potok’s thought-provoking book, The Chosen, three fathers named David Malter, Reb Saunders, and Roger Merrit appear in the story. Each one of them shows the striking differences among the ways they raise their children. Just because one father’s way of rearing up a child seems different from another’s does not necessarily mean it is wrong. In their own unique ways, all three fathers show the importance of fulfilling the role as a father.

David Malter upholds the image of a gentle and wise man. His wife has passed away after giving birth to her son, Reuven. Mr. Malter raises his son as best as he can, and his bond with Reuven only grows stronger. Reuven despises Danny for landing him in the hospital with his eye crushed and bitterly mutters out spiteful words. Mr. Malter hates those
Without the fatherly love and guidance only a father can provide, a child could easily feel lost and confused. No father raises his children the same way and each one applies his own teachings and beliefs. But one thing all fathers do have in common is that they love their children unconditionally. Mr. Malter chooses to openly show his love for Reuven, as does Mr. Merrit to his son, Billy. The book shows how much the two fathers openly care about their children. Reb Saunders also loves his son, Danny, so much, but he chooses to express his love through his authoritative actions. More often than not, Danny hates the decisions his father makes for him in his life. However, deep down inside, Danny knows that his father makes those choices for him because his father truly loves him. All three dads have different views on raising their children. Even through tough times, the fathers will continue to unconditionally love their

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