The Chosen Quotes With Page Numbers

Everyone experiences some unfavorable circumstances in life, however unique. Some people possess a future that appears bleak and unwelcome, like Danny Saunders, one of the main characters in Chaim Potok’s masterpiece, The Chosen. The way people handle their trying circumstances plays a role in the characters they develop into. Danny’s destiny is unpalatable to him, for, in accordance with tradition, he is to inherit the role of tzaddik from his father upon his death. His father, an increasingly important man, strives to enforce a number of rules, including the books his son reads. Upon reading certain books, distasteful to his father, Danny readily accepts their contents without a moment’s hesitation. Throughout the novel, The Chosen, Danny

Several examples exist as support, from Danny directly telling Reuven how tradition leaves him feeling imprisoned to not practicing discernment in his reading. Bemoaning his predicament to Reuven in chapter four, Danny explains to him how the role of tzaddik works. “I have no choice. … It’s like a dynasty. … The people expect me to become their rabbi. … I’m—I’m a little trapped” (Potok 82). Although Danny is “doomed” to become a rabbi against his will, rather than overcoming the temptation to wallow, he allows himself to feel imprisoned. Again demonstrating weakness, Danny does not exercise discernment in his reading in chapter eight. Blindly accepting the works of an inaccurate writer, Danny remains unconvinced, too mentally weak to question the information, even when his own friend doubts the credibility of the material (153). Rather than rising above the situation and overcoming it, Danny demonstrates weakness by allowing himself to feel trapped, as he directly tells Reuven he feels and by not exercising discernment in his

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. … And Darwin.’ They came out as a soft, whispered moan” (166-67). Greatly disturbed by the news Reuven told him, Reb Saunders reveals that Danny’s choices of literature displease him, which Danny knows, especially after Reuven tells him of his father’s reaction; however, Danny continues to rebel against his father’s wishes. Another way Danny demonstrates rebellion is by the fact he plans try to avoid becoming the tzaddik after his father’s death, by arranging for his little brother take his place, disregarding the wishes of his father (201). Planning to thwart his father’s wishes, Danny reveals his rebellious nature. Throughout The Chosen, Danny’s rebellious nature exposes itself in several places, including the books he reads and his father’s plans for his