"Arranged" and "The Chosen" are both stories about two young adults from different religions, but similar cultures, who form strong friendships as they mature into adult life. Rochel Meshenberg and Nasira Khaldi are two new teachers in a Brooklyn school, one Jewish one Muslim; whom are both having marriages arranged for them. In "The Chosen", Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders are two boys, one an Orthodox Jewish the other Hasidic Jewish, also in Brooklyn, who are going through school and determining their paths for the future. Both their friendships are affected by their religions which are, in a way, similar yet different enough to cause conflict. Their family and community, steeped in their religion, also play a large role in their friendships.
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With two strong and opposing religions, the relationship presented in Arranged is unusual. The biggest factor of what brings the girls together is the traditional push by their family and community for arranged marriages. In a growing culture of "freedom" the girl 's situations form a strong common ground. Both girls must find truth and peace when balancing the pressure of the family and their wish for a good marriage. Rochel is troubled by her mother’s lacks the support of a happy marriage that the tradition presents and attitude that centers only on marrying a successful man in the world. Nasira 's mother on the other hand, understands her daughter 's desire for a happy marriage and supports her in it. Nasira in turn, gives the same hope and support to Rochel. In "The Chosen", the boys also face large decisions concerning their education and beliefs for the future, which are influenced by their religion as well. The fathers of both boys are well known scholars who train them and expect much in regard to their studies of the Torah and Jewish laws. Especially for Danny since his father expects him to inherently become rabbi after he dies. Because of his brilliant mind Danny yearns for more than …show more content…
Rochel and Nasira are exposed to secular multiculturalism through teaching at the school. The principal, having proudly left her Jewish traditions, attracted by secular liberality, is especially aggressive, causing them to discuss and defend their very traditional religions. This actually draws the girls even closer together. Although, at one point Rochel goes to stay with her worldly cousin, who also left the Jewish traditions and her faith in God, when she is questioning her religion and the pressure of the arranged marriage, and trying to figure out where truth lies in all the chooses. In the end Rochel inquires “Why is getting drunk and sleeping with some guy you don’t even know a better way of finding love? I mean, how is it more liberated than how we do it?", and she realizes that "I have a choice! The community has a choice. It’s different, yes, but I have a say.” Nasira is more at peace with the arranged marriage tradition and is not as unsettled by the principal aggression and again (because of her more peaceful family) provides stability for Rochel. Danny on the other hand, is not so much revolting against his religion but is drawn to all the knowledge offered by the more secular world. He does not tell his father for a long time that he has applied to a university for psychology and does not want to become rabbi of the Hassidic synagogue. Reuven,
With two strong and opposing religions, the relationship presented in Arranged is unusual. The biggest factor of what brings the girls together is the traditional push by their family and community for arranged marriages. In a growing culture of "freedom" the girl 's situations form a strong common ground. Both girls must find truth and peace when balancing the pressure of the family and their wish for a good marriage. Rochel is troubled by her mother’s lacks the support of a happy marriage that the tradition presents and attitude that centers only on marrying a successful man in the world. Nasira 's mother on the other hand, understands her daughter 's desire for a happy marriage and supports her in it. Nasira in turn, gives the same hope and support to Rochel. In "The Chosen", the boys also face large decisions concerning their education and beliefs for the future, which are influenced by their religion as well. The fathers of both boys are well known scholars who train them and expect much in regard to their studies of the Torah and Jewish laws. Especially for Danny since his father expects him to inherently become rabbi after he dies. Because of his brilliant mind Danny yearns for more than …show more content…
Rochel and Nasira are exposed to secular multiculturalism through teaching at the school. The principal, having proudly left her Jewish traditions, attracted by secular liberality, is especially aggressive, causing them to discuss and defend their very traditional religions. This actually draws the girls even closer together. Although, at one point Rochel goes to stay with her worldly cousin, who also left the Jewish traditions and her faith in God, when she is questioning her religion and the pressure of the arranged marriage, and trying to figure out where truth lies in all the chooses. In the end Rochel inquires “Why is getting drunk and sleeping with some guy you don’t even know a better way of finding love? I mean, how is it more liberated than how we do it?", and she realizes that "I have a choice! The community has a choice. It’s different, yes, but I have a say.” Nasira is more at peace with the arranged marriage tradition and is not as unsettled by the principal aggression and again (because of her more peaceful family) provides stability for Rochel. Danny on the other hand, is not so much revolting against his religion but is drawn to all the knowledge offered by the more secular world. He does not tell his father for a long time that he has applied to a university for psychology and does not want to become rabbi of the Hassidic synagogue. Reuven,