The Chosen By Chaim Potok: Character Analysis

Everyone appreciates a compassionate individual; one usually goes to such a person to pour out one's troubles. The New Oxford American dictionary defines compassion as sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Compassion seems to be a big theme in The Chosen by Chaim Potok. Many characters need compassion as they face personal trials throughout the book. The other characters do not simply mind their own business and care about only themselves; instead, they show kindness to the hurting people around them. Mr. Savo, Mr. Malter, and Reuven Malter stand out as the best examples of warmhearted, sympathetic people. Tony Savo, a professional prizefighter with an eye patch, lies on the hospital bed to the left of Reuven in the beginning of the book. His blunt slang and card playing hide his soft heart. He pities Billy, the young blind boy two beds down from him, so he promises to give Billy a ‘three-rounder’ after they both heal. Once Billy meets Reuven, he tells him, “‘You’re nice like Mr. Savo’” (44). Mr. Savo also plays catch with a child named Mickey, who has been in the hospital for a long time. Mrs. Carpenter, the nurse, disapproves of this because it hurts Mr. Savo. But even though it may cause him pain, Mr. Savo cannot help giving joy to these afflicted boys.

Malter, advises Danny Saunders on which books to read to feed Danny’s insatiable desire for knowledge. He makes sure Danny reads good books that will help him grow in wisdom and intelligence. At the same time, he sympathizes with Reb Saunders, Danny's father, because he knows this must upset him. When Reuven asks him why he does it then, Mr. Malter responds, "'Because Danny would have continued to read anyway on his own'" (159). Consequently, Mr. Malter feels he must direct Danny's reading to make sure it is wholesome. Reb Saunders, though pained that his son reads secular books, appreciates Mr. Malter's concern and