The Chosen

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Recommended: Importance of literature in education

The Chosen

The Chosen, written by Chaim Potok may relate to many universal topics, it is clear that it directly relates to the field of education. Mr. Potok has brought us on a journey, which allows many of us to see from an outside prospective, all of the factors, which account for a healthy education. It is a difficult task to relate a novel to the field of education; however, Mr. Potok has made my job easy. The book has received rave reviews from many sources, and the Chicago Tribune said: "…Works of this caliber should be occasion for sinning in the streets and shouting from the rooftops.”

The story is about the friendship between two Jewish boys, growing up in New York City. The catch is that they are from two different sects, and have different ideas about the future. The first boy we meet is Reuven Malter, the son of a Jewish teacher, David Malter. He raises Reuven alone as his wife passed away. The other boy is Danny Saunders, who is the son of a very devoted Hassidic Jewish tzaddik. Danny is cursed with the fate of taking over his father’s position, and he does not want to do so. Reuven wants to become a mathematician.

The accident, which seems as if it will separate these two boys in hatred, actually ends up uniting them. It takes place on a baseball field, made up of concrete, and they are both on opposing teams. The incident occurs when Reuven is playing pitcher, and Danny is the batter. Reuven pitches the ball, and Danny hits it right into Reuvens eye. After being taken to the hospital, we find out that there is some glass in the eye and it must be taken out, and Reuven will remain in the hospital for several days. While in the eye-ward of the hospital, Reuven meets Mr. Savo, a retired boxer, with a patch over his right eye, and Bobby, a young boy who was blinded in a car accident. They have an impact on his life, as he can see that other people have it worse than him.

The story takes place in New York City during World War II, and being Jewish, the stage is set for a turbulent time.

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