Danny's Relationship With Reuven

Sometimes those who seem to lead the strictest lives can actually have the most power. In Chaim Potok's The Chosen, a recurring theme is that of Danny's increasing ability to choose his path in life. Although it starts small, Danny takes control of his fate over the course of the story. From befriending Reuven to his eventual rejection of his tzaddik status, Danny is able to start making choices for himself. At the start of the novel it seems as though Danny has very little control over his destiny. His Hasidic faith means that he is required to succeed his father, Reb Issac Saunders, as the rabbi and leader of his congregation. Danny is less than eager to assume this position remarking, “I can't just walk out on them. I'm – I'm a little trapped.”1 His father forbids him from reading any non-Jewish literature and raises Danny in silence, never speaking directly to him. His contact with the secular world is limited and even amongst Jews, Reuven is his only non-Orthodox friend. Danny appears to be unable to have a decision in any part of his life, as all of it is carefully laid out and structured for him.
His friendship with Reuven is one example. Danny made the choice to visit Reuven in the hospital and to make a relationship out of it. Bringing Reuven to his father's Shabbat service was a bold move, and one that could have easily ended in disaster. Nevertheless, Reb Saunders is impressed by Reuven, even remarking, “Reuven, you have a good head on you.”2 Danny was at last able to prove to his father that he can make good and rational