Do you know someone that abuses their power and force others to abandon their own beliefs? In the short story, Conversion of the Jews, by Phillip Roth, that is exactly what Rabbi Binder does. Binder, a religious leader, who makes children believe what he believes and does not let the children make choices for themselves. Roth depicts Binder as cruel and very hidebound and he uses his power to oppress the children. Due to Rabbi Binder’s closed mindedness and stubbornness, Ozzie realizes that he has to reject his elders’ theories and put forth his own theories, and will risk a lot to do so. Ultimately, Roth suggests that part of growing up is developing one’s own ideas. Rabbi Binder embraces the concept that children are supposed to listen, not be heard, and with this …show more content…
Ozzie is always trying to break out of this system of belief and input his own ideas. It is very apparent he is trying to break out of this system when Ozzie asks Binder a question about God and the Immaculate conception, and Binder gives him a very underwhelming response. Ozzie responds by saying: “‘So I said I understood that. What I wanted to know was different.’ What Ozzie wanted to know was always different” (33). Ozzie just doesn't sit there and let Rabbi Binder tell him what is right and what is wrong. He asks questions of his elders, which is very hard to do because with Binders belief system, Ozzie and all of the other children are oppressed because of Binders superiority. It is very hard to speak up and to express your views to your superior when you know that punishment will most likely be the outcome. Later in the paragraph, Ozzie “wanted to know how Binder could call the Jews The Chosen People if the Declaration of Independence claimed all me to be created equal” (33). Binder responds by trying to distinguish political