Have you ever had a conversation with someone who had completely different views and beliefs from your own? If you were open to hearing about their thoughts and ideas, did you find the conversation to be more engaging than most? In Chaim Potok’s The Chosen, he explores the relationship between two boys who found their differences to be quite intriguing. Reuven Malter, an Orthodox Jew living with his father, is a brilliant boy who excels in both mathematical and Talmud studies. Danny Saunders, a Hasidic Jew who is next in line to inherit his father’s dynasty, is also extremely gifted in Talmud studies. Danny struggles with math and logic, he prefers to read the ideas of others. The two boys grew quite close after establishing their differences. …show more content…
Reuven first noticed Danny in his Hasidic clothing when the two boys played each other in a local softball game. Because they were on opposing teams, they were immediately rivals. Their religious differences added to their rivalry. Reuven immediately sensed that Danny would be a threat, but gave him a compliment anyway. “’That was a nice shot,’ I offered.”(Potok 23). Danny’s answer surprised Reuven. “’I told my team we’re going to kill you apikorism this afternoon.’ He said it flatly, without a trace of expression in his voice.” (Potok 23). Danny’s religion insulting response to his genuine compliment sparked a stronger hatred in Reuven. From this point on the game became more than a competition between rival neighborhood teams. It was a sort of holy war between the two boys and their Jewish …show more content…
It is during these discussions that they begin to learn more about each other. "For the first fifteen years of our lives, Danny and I lived within five blocks of each other and neither of us knew of the other 's existence." (Potok 1). Danny tells Reuven about his secret reading in the library and the man that recommends books for him. The boys realize that the mysterious man is in Reuven’s father. They spend a majority of the rest of novel discussing their fathers and the different ways they were raised. Reuven is often very confused by the way Danny’s father treats him. “My father shook his head. ‘It is not terrible, Reuven. Not for Danny, not for his father, and not for the people who listened. It is an old Hasidic tradition, this kind of Talmudic discussion.’”(Potok 140). Reuven’s father helps him to understand Danny when Danny cannot explain it for himself. Danny’s father’s refusal to speak to his son other than to quiz him on Talmud teaches Reuven a lot about parenting styles. He appreciates his bond with his father a lot more. This relationship has the opposite affect on Danny. Danny decides he would most likely do the same to his
The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson is a book that depicts two different people, that mainly focuses on jealousy, rivalry and the power of obsession over half a century. There are many characters in the novel and they build relationships with one another that eventually become intertwined. The relationships that are built end up having an effect on the character, and contributes something different to his understanding of himself and the decisions he makes. Ian in the novel is an example of that, where the relationships he builds with the others, helps him find who he is as a person and affects the decisions he makes. Specifically through the relationships with Pete, his father, and Jake, he gains something different from each character which proves to be vital to who he is. Without these characters, Ian would be very different, as each character contributed something to Ian’s ultimate understanding of himself.
In the book The Chosen the four main characters have different views on how children should be raised. Danny Saunders was said to be raised in silence. Danny was raised in silence in that communication was cut off between Danny and his father, except when they were studying Talmud. The reason Danny’s father did not speak to his son is because Rabbi Saunders wanted to have Danny think things through himself. Reb Saunders also wanted Danny to grow up in the same manner he himself was raised.
During the final conversation between Reb Saunders, Danny, and Reuven, Reb Saunders defends his method of raising Danny by noting that, “...I did not want my Daniel to become like my brother...Better I should have no son at all than have a brilliant son with no soul” (285). Reb Saunders assumes that if Danny were raised in silence, then he would obtain a soul unlike Reb Saunders’ brother who did not have one. Reb Saunders raises Danny in isolation due to his assumption that having intellect without a soul would make a person indifferent and uncaring. By only wanting what he presumes is most beneficial for Danny, Reb Saunders forms a barrier between him and a meaningful relationship with Danny. This approach of bringing up a child is the only one that Reb Saunders has previous knowledge and he realizes that, “..a wiser father... may have done differently. I am not... wise” (288). Once Reb Saunders understands the consequences of his irrational decision, it is too late to make amends. Silence strains their relationship and forces both Danny and Reb Saunders to become depressed and miserable. Despite raising Danny with good intentions, Reb Saunders feels remorse for not establishing an affectionate relationship with his son while he still had the chance. Furthermore, Reb Saunders yearns for Danny to become a tzaddik and tries fulfills his desire through restrained communication between his son. If Reb Saunders had created a lasting relationship with Danny then the same hope could have been achieved. For Danny to become a tzaddik without feeling compassion during his lifetime is difficult to demand. It may have been possible for Danny to develop the traits that his father requires of him if he was raised in a nurturing environment. Overall, Reb Saunders’ rationalization of his parenting technique is rendered useless as he comprehends what an ill-advised approach it
father, but he is wary of it at first because Danny is a Hasid, and
As the story evolves, Danny and Reuven become very good friends. This is a highlight for Danny, given that he has never had a close friend before Reuven. Danny has lived a very lonely life. He has not had any friends because he feels that no understands him. Reuven's father realizes Danny's loneliness, and gives Reuven some fatherly advice. He comments, "Reb Saunders' son is a terribly torn and lonely boy. There is literally no one in the world he can talk to. He needs a friend." (pg. 110) David Malter continues by saying, "The accident with the baseball has bound him to you and he has already sensed in you someone he can talk to without fear. I am very proud of you for that." (pg. 110) Reuven's father expresses his confidence to his son very openly which is an important aspect in comparing with Danny and his father's relationship.
Life presents many forks in the road in which people are forced to make a decision and then live with the consequences of those decisions. In Peace Like a River each character is presented with choices and their decisions are characterized by their level of faith and the resulting consequences. The reader is given the opportunity to recognize the contrasting results of decisions that are made from three different perspectives; making decisions without a foundation in faith as seen in Davey’s character, a lukewarm faith that frequently realizes Biblical truth as it relates to decisions hindsight, as seen in Reuben’s character, and the fantasy based faith of Swede that identifies with decisions and consequences through her writings. Each of the three main characters represents a different maturity level in their faith which can be identified by their decision making process and the outcomes of those decisions. Throughout the story Enger develops their characters toward maturity and adulthood through the theme of decision-making in relation to Biblical faith and wisdom.
Two people with two completely different characteristics have something alike. Both Dally and Johnny are mentally tough because of their parents. Johnny and Dally’s parents both do not care for them and could care less about them. For example, during Dally’s childhood he went to jail, been in a gang, and has been in many fights and his dad still would not care for him even if he won the lottery. Dally also talks about his dad's disgrace towards him in the car with Johnny and Ponyboy, “‘ Shoot, my dad don’t give a hang whether I’m in jail or dead in a car wreck or drunk in a gutter...’”(88). Dally could easily live without his dad and he does for the most part. Dally just hangs around with his friends and stays at their place. Similarly, Johnny's parents use him like a rag doll to blow off steam, “his father always beating him up”(14). The gang knows what happenes in Johnny’s house. Once Ponyboy was witnessing, “Johnny take a whipping with a two-by-four from his old man”(33). Ponyboy talks about how loud and mean Johnny's mom is and,“you can...
A strong example is the way they learn. Santiago learns through observation and actions, while the Englishman can only learn by reading books. They have even tried the other’s method, but failed to learn anything. This is an important difference because they would have to find different methods to learn the same thing, which would take different amounts of time. Another contrast between the two is their beliefs. Santiago is obviously a believer in God, while the Englishman appears to hold to no particular religion. In other words, this means he is more than likely an Atheist. This contrast is more of a conflict between them, as most religious differences are. The Englishman and Santiago’s most significant differences are arguably the ways in which they learn and their religious
In “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates,” written by Wes Moore the author writes about two boys growing up in Baltimore that share the same name and similar backgrounds but end up taking drastically different paths in life due to many varying factors. The author goes on to earn a college degree, become a Rhodes Scholar, a veteran and more while the “other” Wes cannot avoid the inevitable fate of dealing drugs and ultimately spends his life running from the police and in prison. This reflects how both Wes Moore’s became products of their environment as the way a person is shaped and guided in their developmental years does unquestionably play a large role in the type of person they will become as adults. A lot of elements come into play that help to determine a person’s success or failure, but at the end of the day the most important factors are family, education and opportunities.
The way in which Reb Saunders and David Malter raise their children reflect the conflict between tradition and modernity in this story. David Malter raises Reuven with a modern approach. He encourages Reuven to learn about the modern world as well as hold on to his religion. Reb Saunders to shelter Danny from modern ideas. With the exception of teaching Danny about the Talmud, he raises Danny in silence. He has his own reasons for raising Danny this way. “I did not want to drive him away from God, but I did not want him to grow up a mind without a soul” (Page 266). Reb Saunders raises his son through a tradition that has been in his family for a long time. However, he accomplishes his goal. His method of raising his son is dramatically different from David Malter’s modern practice. The results are also different. Danny has gone through much more pain and suffering than Reuven, and he chooses to carry on this practice if he must. Modernity and tradition present in the different ideas of these men influences the lives and ideas of their children as well.
Micah and Henri from Deborah Ellis’ book, A company of Fools, are a classic example of how a character’s personality can be influenced by their upbringing and background. Micah was raised in the streets and therefore has developed a wild, self-sufficient manner unlike Henri who has only ever known the sheltered but strict life of the Abbey and is very introverted and well mannered. However as the story progresses similar traits between the two boys are uncovered and they both start to lose features of their personality that at first made them seem so different from one another. This shows that the two boys who at first appear to be polar opposites are actually remarkably similar, and only differenced in background which provides opportunity
Firstly, one’s identity is largely influenced by the dynamics of one’s relationship with their father throughout their childhood. These dynamics are often established through the various experiences that one shares with a father while growing up. In The Glass Castle and The Kite Runner, Jeannette and Amir have very different relationships with their fathers as children. However the experiences they share with these men undou...
The Things They Carried is a collection of stories about the Vietnam War, but in reality, the book centers around the relationships the men make, their connections to the world they left behind and the connections that they formed to Vietnam. The stories are not war stories, but stories about love, respect and the bonds made between men when they spend day after day fighting just to stay alive.
Passion and commitment is important to have to be able succeed as an individual. The short story “The Broken Globe” by Henry Kreisel presents a story with a son and father who are very passionate with their beliefs but have two different perspectives of the world. Kreisel suggests that although passion and commitment can benefit to an individual's’ success, being too blindly involved can narrow the individual's’ thoughts and and attitude leading them to ruin a relationship. This idea is developed through Nick as his passion initially brings him to have a successful career but he is focused too much on his passions that it blindly influences his thoughts and attitude which fractures the relationship with his father.
The statement "The relationships in our lives are one of the main reasons why we function as human beings.” In this text About a Boy by Nick Hornby there are elements where relationships between characters help them develop and without these relationships these characters would not be able to 'grow'. The relationship between will and Marcus and also the relationship between Marcus and Ellie proves how relationships in our lives are the reason that we function as human beings.