What makes the perfect parent? Countless magazines and websites strive to answer the question but often possess differing opinions on what techniques and parenting styles will foster the ideal child. In Chaim Potok’s novel, The Chosen, Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders grow up in polar opposite households. While both practice Judaism, their separate sects often highlight differences in their respective upbringings. Literature mimics real life and while reading, I found myself comparing the boys’ friendship to that of my closest friend and I. Despite the drastic divergence between time periods and settings, post-World War II New York and modern day Suburbia, Reuven and Danny mirror my best friend, Abby, and I. Though disputes can arise, contrasting
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But while David Malter supports his son’s learning outside of their faith, Danny must hide his thirst for knowledge. The avid reader describes himself as, “[having] a photographic mind” (69), a mind he longs to use for psychology. David Malter unknowingly recommends books for Danny, not knowing the boy’s lineage. The public library acts as Danny’s sanctuary, the place where he can read what he wants, no longer chained to the Talmud. While Reuven’s dad dreams of his son teaching mathematics, he allows Reuven to follow the religious path. On the other hand, Danny must follow the religious path against his will. He would rather dive into the study of psychology but since his birth, his life has followed a strict path; he will fulfill an arranged marriage and rise to his father’s position of tzaddik. He hopes his little brother, Levi, will step up in his place, but Levi often falls deathly ill. While Danny does love his brother, part of Danny’s sheer panic over Levi’s hospitalization is, “because without his brother, it might not be possible for [Danny] to break away from his father” (269). He respects his family legacy but does not wish to partake. The Malter household encourages freedom of religion, with David Malter allowing Reuven to study what he pleases; the Saunders family resembles a dictatorship. Yet, by the end of the novel, Danny teaches Reuven about psychology and Reuven helps him with the mathematical portions of the subject. They are able to set aside the differences of education between them and teach each other valuable
But while David Malter supports his son’s learning outside of their faith, Danny must hide his thirst for knowledge. The avid reader describes himself as, “[having] a photographic mind” (69), a mind he longs to use for psychology. David Malter unknowingly recommends books for Danny, not knowing the boy’s lineage. The public library acts as Danny’s sanctuary, the place where he can read what he wants, no longer chained to the Talmud. While Reuven’s dad dreams of his son teaching mathematics, he allows Reuven to follow the religious path. On the other hand, Danny must follow the religious path against his will. He would rather dive into the study of psychology but since his birth, his life has followed a strict path; he will fulfill an arranged marriage and rise to his father’s position of tzaddik. He hopes his little brother, Levi, will step up in his place, but Levi often falls deathly ill. While Danny does love his brother, part of Danny’s sheer panic over Levi’s hospitalization is, “because without his brother, it might not be possible for [Danny] to break away from his father” (269). He respects his family legacy but does not wish to partake. The Malter household encourages freedom of religion, with David Malter allowing Reuven to study what he pleases; the Saunders family resembles a dictatorship. Yet, by the end of the novel, Danny teaches Reuven about psychology and Reuven helps him with the mathematical portions of the subject. They are able to set aside the differences of education between them and teach each other valuable