The Chosen
Hannah Shoshan
Mrs. Maucione
Honors English II
1 October 2014
Choosing Versus Chosen Chaim Potok’s novel The Chosen focuses on the relationship between Danny Saunders and Reuven Malter. Although they do not have a lot in common, the two boys along with Reuven's father, David Malter, are chosen to fulfill certain duties. Throughout the course of a lifetime, people have the option to choose what he or she wants to do, or to have it chosen for them. In The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, Reuven Malter, Mr. Malter and Danny Saunders all deal with the struggle of choosing and being chosen. To commence, Reuven Malter has the luxury of being able to choose many things in his life, however he is still chosen to complete certain tasks. For example, the most obvious way, Reuven is chosen to be Danny’s friend. While Reuven is in the hospital recovering from his eye injury, Danny comes to visit and apologize. When Reuven informs his father about Danny visiting him, Mr. Malter tells Reuven, “I am telling you to make him your friend and let him make you his friend” (Potok 74). As previously stated, the basis of the novel revolves around the evolving relationship between Reuven and Danny. However, nothing would have happened and the two boys would not have been able to help each other if it was not for Reuven being chosen to be Danny’s friend. Even though Reuven then chose to further relationship and become best friends with each other, the friendship started with the fate of being chosen. Furthermore, Reuven was also chosen to be the “bridge” between Danny and his father, Reb Saunders. Since Reb Saunders raises his son in silence, Reuven is invited to the Saunders many times and is the connecting piece of their personal lives. Reb invites Reuven over for a dinner and while the three were talking, Reb says with a serious tone, ”’Reuven, I want you to listen carefully to what I will tell you now’ He has said: Reuven. His eyes had said: Danny” (82). Reb is
Mrs. Maucione
Honors English II
1 October 2014
Choosing Versus Chosen Chaim Potok’s novel The Chosen focuses on the relationship between Danny Saunders and Reuven Malter. Although they do not have a lot in common, the two boys along with Reuven's father, David Malter, are chosen to fulfill certain duties. Throughout the course of a lifetime, people have the option to choose what he or she wants to do, or to have it chosen for them. In The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, Reuven Malter, Mr. Malter and Danny Saunders all deal with the struggle of choosing and being chosen. To commence, Reuven Malter has the luxury of being able to choose many things in his life, however he is still chosen to complete certain tasks. For example, the most obvious way, Reuven is chosen to be Danny’s friend. While Reuven is in the hospital recovering from his eye injury, Danny comes to visit and apologize. When Reuven informs his father about Danny visiting him, Mr. Malter tells Reuven, “I am telling you to make him your friend and let him make you his friend” (Potok 74). As previously stated, the basis of the novel revolves around the evolving relationship between Reuven and Danny. However, nothing would have happened and the two boys would not have been able to help each other if it was not for Reuven being chosen to be Danny’s friend. Even though Reuven then chose to further relationship and become best friends with each other, the friendship started with the fate of being chosen. Furthermore, Reuven was also chosen to be the “bridge” between Danny and his father, Reb Saunders. Since Reb Saunders raises his son in silence, Reuven is invited to the Saunders many times and is the connecting piece of their personal lives. Reb invites Reuven over for a dinner and while the three were talking, Reb says with a serious tone, ”’Reuven, I want you to listen carefully to what I will tell you now’ He has said: Reuven. His eyes had said: Danny” (82). Reb is