The Chosen: Themes

An important theme in Book One of the “The Chosen” is to at least listen to what people have to say, especially if that someone is trying to make amends. “’You did a foolish thing, Reuven. You remember what the Talmud says, if a person comes to apologies for having hurt you, you must listen and forgive him” (David Malter, Pg. 63). Many events have led up to Danny and Reuven meeting each other, all of them very important. After his father’s speech about listening, Reuven gives Danny a chance to speak. Listening takes much patience and can give important information. Reuven’s choice to listen is essential to the beginning of their relationship, because for Danny, it gives someone that he can let his previously unexpressed thoughts and feeling out to. Danny would never have been able to let his thoughts out, because they would seem like the talk of an apikorsim to the people of his community. Reuven gives Danny a way to break his inner silence. When Reuven had ignored Danny in their first encounter, he almost jeopardized their future together. If Danny had not been persistent in explaining himself to Reuven, they may not have become friends as soon as they did. Their friendship not only benefited Danny but also Reuven. Being involved with Danny’s life gave Reuven a chance to properly utilize his new found perception of the world to analyze different situations. It is seen that Reuven’s actions have had a profound effect on Danny’s life. During Danny and Reuven’s college years, Reb prohibits them from being together or having a conversation. Reuven became angry with Danny and refused to notice the silent communication that Danny offered when they looked each other in the eye. Reuven did not listen to the silence at first; not until Danny tried a different approach by smiling at Reuven. This was Reuven’s first experience with hearing silence, but Reuven did not notice that this is what he was doing. Later, in Book Three, Reuven’s lack of