The Chosen By Chaim Potok Analysis

Main Premise: Which characters experience silence over the course of this story, and what meaning do they find in this experience? How does this work? Which characters impose silence on others, and why do they impose it? Overall, what is the function of silence in this story? How is it valuable as a teaching tool?

Octavia Butler once stated that, “Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. and a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.” The book The Chosen by Chaim Potok in which one of the main characters has a different idea on how his child should be raised. Silence in which Danny Saunders is being raised by his father. Reb Saunders wants Danny to be able to think through ideas himself and to grow and learn in the

Religion is one of the only times that Danny can make conversation with his father, when they are studying the Talmud. “It occurred to me suddenly that not a single word had passed between him and his father all evening, except for the Talmud contest” (Potok 145). The silence is what drew Danny to want to be able to have guidance and communication with anyone that would listen. Reb Saunders explains that he raised his son in silence since he was born. Danny does not question the silence because his father does not speak. But by raising Danny in silence, it teaches him to be more independent, it puts him in the position to be a leader a Rabbi, which is what Reb wants him to be; to follow in his footsteps. Danny does not want this for his life. He continuously reads books on great scholars and on psychoanalysis; because of this certain interest he decides he would like to be a psychologist. Danny explains to Rueven how he wants to be a psychologist, "I'll be majoring in psychology"