Character Analysis: The Chosen By Chaim Potok

He is taught to be exactly like his father when he becomes an adult and he is extremely observant. I was raised like Reuven and completely agree with his father’s approach of raising Reuven. I completely disagree with Reb Saunders way of raising Danny because it was essentially a “radical” way of

“I saw it coming at me, and there was nothing I could do. It hit the finger section of my glove, deflected off, smashed into the upper rim of the left lens of my glasses, glanced off my forehead, and knocked me down” (33). In this incident from Chaim Potok’s novel The Chosen, Reuven Malter receives a smack in the face from a ball during a baseball game. Afterward, he undergoes surgery on his eye and spends a week in the hospital. This turning point in his life and the events that follow fully reveal Reuven’s character to the reader.

He works hard at his daily homework assignments to try and succeed as best he can. Friendship with Danny Malter has it’s difficulties; however, Reuven displays patience and consistency with meeting Danny throughout the week when able. Readers also see Reuven’s dedication to his baseball team and coach, “Mr. Galanter was taking no chances and told me to pitch”(27). Moreover, the daily studies with his father, either with the Talmud or following the war with maps and the home radio, shows his discipline as well. Young men Reuven’s age should strive to pursue things as strongly as Reuven demonstrates in the

Galanter, Reuven’s baseball coach, is a great example towards his players through making wise choices and encouraging even if they are not playing well. He always makes the good decision instead of blowing his top and getting mad at his players. “Everybody off!” he shouted, not very loudly. “They want a five-minute warm-up.

Reuven found a new appreciation of his health since he could have gone blind. Another example of perception change from the novel is when Reuven realizes Danny isn't how he appeared to be. During the story, Mr. Malter says “Things are always as they seem to be, Reuven?”. He says this because Reuven told him that it seemed like Danny hit him deliberately.

Jeremy Fink has a big fear of change. This shows that he doesn’t really like to try new things and he is not really a risk taker. Jeremy, a 12 year old, has been living without his father for five years now and that has been tough on him. That is one of the reasons he doesn’t like change, because the biggest change he can remember is living without his father. Another example is Jeremy’s food choice.

Danny Saunders possesses a brilliant mind, and often feels passionately about his beliefs, but he is constantly searching for the solution to the pain in his life and the lives of others. The Chosen makes it quite clear that Danny has a brilliant mind. So brilliant, in fact that Reuven’s father calls him “a phenomenon.” “Once in a generation is a mind born like that.”

In the end, although it seems his work is wearing him down he also seems to enjoy it toughly. Like his father Reuven contains a vast amount of

The citizens of the modern world are blessed with something that throughout world history has been denied to most of of the populous: agency, or freedom of choice. They can choose the religion of their preference or none at all. They can choose their own careers. They can have their own political beliefs. Agency is a right that a very slim percentage of those that have walked this Earth have enjoyed.

When they meet at the baseball field they judge each other based on rumors they have heard or by the actions of the team. Reuven thinks of them as the “whole snooty bunch of Hasidim” (Chosen 62). Reuven thought Danny was a malicious person because he knew that Danny purposely tried to hit him. But later when Reuven opened up to Danny and stopped being so judgmental, Reuven realized that Danny was kind and just needed a friend. When Reuven is hit with the baseball, there is a chance he might be blind.

This quote introduces one of the many themes that are shown throughout the entire novel-the contrast between people and their diverse ideas. In their antagonistic relationship, Danny is portrayed as a formidable opponent and a possible rival for Reuven. Even during their first meeting with one another, almost immediately, Reuven notices the obvious differences between him and Danny. For starters, Reuven is Orthodox whereas Danny is part of a different sect of Judaism, known as Hasidism. Despite their contrasting appearances and beliefs, the two boys are also similar in many ways; they both play an important role in their softball teams including the genuine devotion they both have towards their own religion.

These people along with Reuven’s ranting teacher, Rav Kalman, form the intricate web of conflicts and friendships in The Promise. After the summer Reuven continues his course under Kalman; Michael enters a center for mental treatment, and Danny becomes his therapist. Even

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The play, Antigone written by Sophocles, presents a tragedy that fits the classical definition, but it is the story of Creon, the king of the main character. Creon starts out as the king of Thebes , Creon’s tragic flaw is his pride and his arrogance which caused him reflecting upon his mistakes making him a broken man, recognizing what he did to his niece, he is a character within Antigone, even though he was portrayed as an antagonist he was the main character since he was. Creon’s tragic flaw, hubris, causes his downfall. Creon will not listen to anyone.

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