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Danny Saunders In Chaim Potok's The Chosen

683 Words3 Pages

Danny Saunders Set in the 1940’s to 1950’s, any normal young man might spend his free time at a drive-in movie or bowling alley. Perhaps he might absorb himself in the action of World War II. Not Danny, a young Russian Hasidic Jew living in Brooklyn, whose father leads their Jewish sect as a Rabbi, and who only has one close friend, Reuven Malter. Through the turning of each page of The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, one may glean an even deeper understanding of the complex individual, Danny Saunders. Danny presents as an intricately formed character with many facets to him. During the course of each scene, Chaim reveals a bit more about Danny’s incredibly intelligent mind, the burdens he carries, and the rebellion that grows inside of him. The convoluted character of Danny is elaborately designed with a genius mind that reveals itself in numerous ways. His photographic memory proves useful to him as he recites many passages of the Talmud, pages of books, and eminent quotes, to himself as he ponders on the world, or to his father when in discussion. He masterfully …show more content…

Due to the strict religious views of Danny’s father, Reb Saunders, Danny is forced to investigate the secular world in secret. Keeping his true feelings, doubts, and opinions inside and away from his father weighs on Danny and is only eased through his friendship with Reuven. Danny is torn between wanting to be independent and respecting his father and his beliefs. To the reader, Danny is perceived as trapped in a tyrannical home. He is struggling to make up his own mind about his beliefs even as his father presses his own strong beliefs onto him. These pressures, from himself and his father, only cause internal disillusion. Reuven quickly picks up on this confusion, “You look like a Hasid, but you don’t sound like one. You don’t sound like what my father says Hasidim are supposed to sound like. You sound almost as if you don’t believe in God

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In the novel The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, readers are introduced to Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders and the relationships between the teenaged boys and their fathers. David Malter, Reuven’s father, is a teacher and a voice of reason to Reuven throughout the novel. Reuven and David have a very close relationship that involves them talking often and questioning what the other is doing throughout their lives. Reb Saunders, Danny’s father, is a rabbi for Danny’s group of Hasidic Jews in their neighbourhood and is raising Danny to be the next rabbi for their people. Danny and Reb Saunders speak only while they are studying the holy books together and Reb Saunders has not spoken directly to Danny since he was four years old.

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Reb Saunders is not understood by many because of the way in which he raises his son, Danny. Danny grew up in complete silence from his father. Reb Saunders would only speak to his son about the Hasidic religion. For Danny’s childhood and much of his young adult life, he had no one to turn to for advice on life. This style of parenting was not understood by Mr.Malter, who viewed it as a cruel way to raise a child.

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As Reuven and Danny walk through the hallways of Danny’s family’s brownstone, all of Reb Saunders’s supporters step aside for Danny. Danny explains to Reuven, “Number one on our catechism: Treat the son as you would the father, because one day the son will be the father” (122). Reb Saunders’s supporters treat Danny very well, believing that Danny will continue the dynasty and take over his father’s position as a rabbi eventually. Later in the book, when Danny and Reuven are in college, Reuven is shocked to learn that Danny’s future wife has been promised to him. Danny says to Reuven, “That’s another reason it won’t be easy to break out of the trap.

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Sneaking off to the library to pour over forbidden books and attempting to avoid becoming the tzaddik constitute only two examples of his rebellious nature. Continually slipping off to the library, Danny hides behind a bookshelf and reads books unfavorable to his father. Danny’s father, who discovered his son’s rebellion, questions Reuven about the books his son reads in a passage in chapter eight. The text says, “‘I must know what he’s reading.’ … I told Reb Saunders everything … When I finished, … I heard the words ‘Psychology. …

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He works hard at his daily homework assignments to try and succeed as best he can. Friendship with Danny Malter has it’s difficulties; however, Reuven displays patience and consistency with meeting Danny throughout the week when able. Readers also see Reuven’s dedication to his baseball team and coach, “Mr. Galanter was taking no chances and told me to pitch”(27). Moreover, the daily studies with his father, either with the Talmud or following the war with maps and the home radio, shows his discipline as well. Young men Reuven’s age should strive to pursue things as strongly as Reuven demonstrates in the

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Reuven Malter displays respect toward his good friend, Danny Saunders, when he deeply studies the writings of psychoanalysis. Danny Saunders also treats not only his friend, Reuven Malter with respect of his religion, but also his father who normally strays away from speaking to his son. Reb Saunders, the father of Danny, has the job of a Jewish rabbi, and must constantly respect his son’s keen interest in topics other than religion. First, Reuven Malter’s respect will stand tested when his friend wants to discuss matters that do not have to do with religion. Reuven Malter, also a son of a Jewish rabbi, constantly studies and tries to understand the history and meaning of his religion.

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“I [Reuven] saw Danny all the time in school, but the silence between us continued. We had begun to communicate with our eyes, with nods of our heads, with gestures of our hands. But we did not speak to each other.” (Pages 255-256) Reuven and Danny were not allowed to speak to each other, so they communicated without speaking. They kept their friendship alive even though Danny’s father had tried to kill it.

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Danny loves basketball and every time he steps out on that court, he plays with his whole heart. Nobody or nothing can take that away from him. He would do anything to play on the “all-star” basketball traveling team, but his dreams are crushed when he doesn’t make the team because he is supposedly too short. I find the relationship between Danny and his father very interesting. His parents are divorced so he doesn’t see his dad very often, but if

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In the text it says, “I went out into the hall to the phone and called my father.” The narrator made quick good decisions. By calling their parents, he knew he was saving Danny’s life. So overall, Danny realized people did care for him which was family.

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