1. Compare the Modern Orthodox world of Reuven Malter and the Hasidic world of Danny Saunders. Cite examples from the novel that support how these two worlds differ from one another. 2. Why does Potok begin the novel with Danny’s and Reuven’s softball teams playing each other? 3. What is […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsStudy Help Full Glossary for The Chosen
abba (ah bah) Hebrew word for father; a term of endearment. Agitated emotionally and physically disturbed. ailanthus tree a tree with bitter-scented flowers, usually found in the tropics. allusions indirect references. Amulets objects or charms superstitiously worn to ward off evil. apikorsim (ah pik or sim) a word of disfavor […]
Read more Study Help Full Glossary for The ChosenCritical Essays The Film Version of The Chosen
Readers of The Chosen can benefit from seeing the film version of the novel. The film gives a visually detailed view of the life of Hasidic Jews, including how they dress and perform religious rituals. Although both the novel and the film version concentrate on many of the same themes, […]
Read more Critical Essays The Film Version of The ChosenCritical Essays Conflicting Cultures in The Chosen
The predicament of Danny Saunders lies at the core of Potok’s The Chosen: Should Danny remain in the very ethnic world of the ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jews, or should he reach out to join mainstream American culture? In this regard, Danny’s predicament symbolizes the concern of many Jews in the United […]
Read more Critical Essays Conflicting Cultures in The ChosenChaim Potok Biography
In The Chosen, Chaim Potok (pronounced Hi em Poe talk) describes the condition of American Jews living in two cultures, one secular and one religious. To a great degree, he is describing not only the lives of the characters in the novel but his own life — ac-cording to Potok, […]
Read more Chaim Potok BiographyCharacter Analysis David Malter
In contrast to Reb Saunders, David Malter recognizes the importance of secular knowledge. Thus Mr. Malter can allow his son, Reuven, to select a profession in the secular world and still be confident that Reuven will practice Orthodox Judaism (although Reuven ultimately decides to become a rabbi). As a Modern […]
Read more Character Analysis David MalterCharacter Analysis Reuven Malter
Like Danny, Reuven, the narrator of The Chosen, is an Orthodox Jew. But unlike Danny, Reuven can enter the secular world while still retaining his Jewish identity. Interestingly, though, Reuven wants to become a rabbi, while Danny, who is expected to become a rabbi, does not. Perhaps having the freedom […]
Read more Character Analysis Reuven MalterCharacter Analysis Reb Saunders
Reb Saunders personifies the Hasidic rebbe (from “rabbi,” or teacher) and personifies strict, traditional, Orthodox Judaism. He led his followers out of Russia to the United States to escape physical persecution by the secular authorities. The Reb and his disciples devote themselves to a life similar to that led by […]
Read more Character Analysis Reb SaundersCharacter Analysis Danny Saunders
The conflict between Danny’s desire for secular knowledge and his desire to follow his Jewish faith is one of the main themes in The Chosen. Danny is being groomed to succeed his father, Reb Saunders, as the leader, or tzaddik, of a group of Hasidic Jews. But Danny does not […]
Read more Character Analysis Danny SaundersSummary and Analysis Book 3: Chapters 16-18
Summary Danny resumes talking to Reuven, and the boys apologize to one another. Danny has resigned himself to experimental psychology and wants to study for a Ph.D. He dreads telling his father about this plan, but is intent on going through with it. Reuven tells his father of Danny’s plans […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 3: Chapters 16-18