Friendship And Self-Identity In Chaim Potok's The Chosen

Chaim Potok’s The Chosen is a book that is not characterized by its suspenseful plots nor rich dialogue; instead, it conveys powerful the powerful themes are friendship and self-identity through subtle interactions between characters and by intertwining events in history to further develop the story (Chosen). The Chosen explores the unlikely friendship between two Jewish boys: Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders. Reuven is an Orthodox Jew raised by his scholarly father and writer, David Malter. He has a very warm relationship with his father. This is contrasted by Danny's strained relationship with his father, Rabbi Isaac Saunders, also known as Reb Saunders, who is a stubborn and intolerant leader of his congregation of Hasidic Jews. Due to Danny's lack of compassion and empathy at young age, Reb Saunders decides to raise Danny in silence so he could hear the struggles and perils in the world. Having compassion is essential for Danny because he is to inherit his father’s position as a

Incorporating current events, such as the establishment of a secular Jewish state, Potok manages to create riffs between his complex characters. Reb Saunders is an especially intricate character and vital component of the story because his intentions are shrouded by his stubborn, strict, and intolerant way of thinking during most of the novel. However, it is apparent that he is aware and respects his son’s brilliance, although he has done things, such as banning any interaction with Reuven, that may seem to contrast that. Like the deep thinking and empathetic tzaddik he is, Reb Saunders is able to do what he thinks is best for Danny due to their unwavering reciprocal respect and love, though they have a strained relationship; he let Danny pursue his own interests so he would be happy, not letting his initial intolerant view on secular ideas nullify Danny’s passion for