The Chosen is a novel written by Chaim Potok that centers around two Jewish teens growing up in Brooklyn, New York in the 1940s, and their struggle to reach adulthood and determine what their personal beliefs and goals are. Through a conflict revolving around the relationship between a father and son, supporting details about the life and beliefs of members of the Jewish community during the 1940s, and by describing the growth of a character through the eyes of his best friend, the author illustrates the importance of relying on loved ones during hard times.
One of the main conflicts in the novel is the struggle between Danny and his father, Reb Saunders. The tension between them escalates throughout …show more content…
After Reuven and Danny initially become friends, Reuven’s father talks to him about how Danny is a “terribly torn and lonely boy. There is literally no one in the world he can talk to” (Potok 113). At this point in the novel, Danny is probably incognizant of the fact that Reuven is showing concern for his, and he probably does not even realize how lonely he is. Because of this, the reader would not be able to see as much of his growth if the story was told from his perspective. With Reuven narrating the story, the reader not only see Danny’s full growth, but also learns that good friends are there for and care about us more than we realize. This idea is further magnified when Reuven ends up being a key factor to Danny and his father coming to terms with each other, which is a key part of Danny’s growth.
In addition to telling a compelling story, the novel The Chosen teaches lessons about the importance of being close with your family and friends, and demonstrates important aspects of being a true friend. It is a story of hope that shows that with the help of loved ones, one can overcome any obstacle that they may