Thomas Paine once said, “The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.” In every young man’s life, suffering, challenges, and trials make him stronger, eventually helping him develop into a truly mature man. Similarly, kindness and respect towards others also play a part in becoming a real man. A great example of the development and progression from boyhood to manhood can be found in the book The Chosen, by Chaim Potok. The story follows a boy named Reuven, and the many challenges he face, that slowly help mold him into a true man. Thus, throughout Chaim Potok’s novel The Chosen, Reuven Malter exhibits immense courage in every situation, compassion towards Danny and Billy, and respect in regards to his father.
Even in the midst of many trying
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His ability to encourage and sympathize with people such as Danny and Billy make him a very pleasant person. When Reuven first meets Danny, for instance, he quickly realizes his loneliness and his need for a friend, ultimately deciding to befriend him. Even while knowing that his other friends would think badly of him for becoming friends with a Hasidic Jew like Danny, Reuven pities him and “treats him as he would have liked to be treated” (Matthew 7:12) by making Danny his friend. Additionally, while at the hospital recovering from his eye surgery, the nurses place Reuven next to a boy named Billy, who almost went blind during an accident. After Reuven leaves the hospital, he continues to think and worry about Billy, even “dedicating the morning prayer to Billy, every last word” (89). Although Reuven could have spent his time thinking and worrying about his own problems, he instead decides to focus, worry, and think about others in tough situations, especially Billy. Therefore, the kindness and concern he displays towards Danny and Billy greatly stand out in his