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The Chosen The title of Potok’s novel, The Chosen, which is a reference to the things that were been chosen for ones to do, symbolizes Potok’s characters that even though something was chosen for them to face, but they can chose how to face it. The characters in Potok’s novel illustrates different ways of living, silent and active.
Silent
i)“When you have a son of your own, you will raise him in silence?” Danny said nothing for a long time. Then his right hand rose slowly to the side of his face and with his thumb and forefinger he gently caressed an imaginary earlock. “Yes,” he said. “If I can’t find another way.”(284)
Active
i)“Reuven, listen to me. The talmud says that a person should do two things for himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you remember the other?” “Choose a friend,” I said. “Yes. You know what a friend is, Reuven? A Greek philosopher said that two people who are true friends are like two bodies with one soul.” I nodded. “Reuven, if you can, make Danny Saunders your friend.”(79) Potok’s novel shows how to choose your reaction through the reaction from Reuven and the response from his dad in the beginning of the book.
Reuven’s reaction toward the hit. i) “For my part,” I told him, “you can go to hell, and take your whole snooty bunch of Hasidim along with you!” He looked at me all the angrier, and finally I said, “What the hell are you sitting there for? I thought you said you were going home!” “I came to talk to you,”he said quietly. “Well, I don’t want to listen,” I told him. “Why don’t you go home? Go home and be sorry over my eye!” (67)
David Malter, Reuven’s dad’s reaction toward Reuven’s reaction i)“You hate him so much you could say those things to him?” “I am sorry,” I said, feeling miserable. He looked at me and I saw his eyes were suddenly sad. “ I did not intend to sold you,” he said. “You weren’t scolding,” I defended him. “What I tried to tell you, Reuven, is that when a person comes to talk to you, you should be patient and listen. Especially iF he has hurt you in any way.” (68) Through Potok’s novel, The Chosen, it talks about everyone will have a different life. For Danny, his life has already been chosen for him by his father. For Reuven, he has his freewill to choose what to do when he grow up. a)Danny’s chosen life i)“Are you really going to become a rabbi and take your father’s place?” “Yes,” he said quietly. “How can you do that if you don’t believe in God?” “I believe in God. I never said I didn’t believe i God.” “You don’t sound like a Hasid, though,” I told him. “What do I sound like?” “Like a-an apikoros.” He smiled but said nothing. I t was a sad smile, and his blue eyes seemed sad, too. He looked back out the window, and we sat in silence a long time. It was a warm silence, though, not in the least bit awkward. Finally, he said very quietly, “I have to take my father’s place. I have no choice.”(86) b)Reuven’s unchosen life i) “It’s funny,” he said. “It’s really funny. I have to be a rabbi and don’t want to be one. You don’t have to be a rabbi and do want to be one. It’s a crazy world.” I didn’t say anything. I had a sudden vivid picture of Mr. Savo sitting in his bed, saying, “Crazy world. Cockeyed.” I wondered how he was feeling and if the curtain was still around his bed. “What kind of mathematics are you interested in?’ Danny asked. “I am really interested in logic. Mathematical logic.”(87)