How is silence used in the chosen?
Silence is present throughout the novel, although its importance is obscure until the novel’s resolution. Potok often inserts the word “silence” in the text, leaving us to figure out its meaning. For example, in Chapter 4, Reuven notes that a “warm silence, … not in the least bit awkward” passes between him and Danny.
Why does Danny’s father raise him in silence?
Reb Saunders reveals that the silence he imposed upon Danny was a way to teach him compassion, to teach him to feel the suffering of others. His own father raised him that way.
What happens in chapter 17 of the chosen?
David Malter becomes quite angry with his son, saying he should speak with Reb Saunders if Reb Saunders wishes him to do so. He points out that Reb Saunders wants to use Reuven to talk to Danny. Reuven quickly calls Danny and tells him he will come over the following Sunday, during Passover.
What does David Malter do in the chosen?
Reuven’s father and an Orthodox Jew, Mr. Malter teaches Jewish studies and writes academic papers on the subject.
Why was Rev Saunders able to accept the fact that Danny was choosing to study to become a psychologist?
However, by the end of the novel, he is able to find a balance between the religious and secular worlds, which is why his father can release him from his obligation to become a rabbi and accept his becoming a psychologist.
What are the themes of the chosen?
The Chosen Themes
- Judaism and Tradition. The Chosen takes place in an Orthodox community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that is shaped by Jewish faith and customs.
- Choosing and Being Chosen. The title, The Chosen, introduces this theme immediately into the novel.
- Fathers, Sons, and Rebellion.
- Friendship.
- World War II and War.
What does Mr Malter say about forgiveness?
Mr. Malter explains to his son that the Talmud directs, “If a person comes to apologize for having hurt you, you must listen and forgive him.” Reuven’s anger has blinded him to the Talmud’s teachings.
Who is Reb Saunders in The Chosen?
Rabbi Isaac Saunders (Reb Saunders): Rabbinic sage and tzaddik. He is Danny’s father. Rabbi (spiritual leader/teacher) of a Hasidic group, whose role is dynastic (passed on from father to son). He moved his congregation from Russia to the United States before the October Revolution.
What is the moral of The Chosen?
The Chosen by Chaim Potok thrusts the reader into the lives of two boys who are trying to maintain a friendship in spite of differing views on Judaism. We’ll explore the themes of father-son relationships, the conflict between the religious and secular way of life, and the pursuit of the American dream.
Why does Danny dislike Professor Appleman’s approach to psychology?
Reuven pities Danny because Appleman’s experimental psychology is torturing his mind while his father’s silence is torturing his soul.
What is the plot of the chosen?
The Chosen traces a friendship between two Jewish boys growing up in Brooklyn at the end of World War II. Reuven Malter, the narrator and one of the novel’s two protagonists, is a traditional Orthodox Jew. He is the son of David Malter, a dedicated scholar and humanitarian.