Character Analysis Of Reuven In The Chosen By Chaim Potok

The book the chosen, by Chaim Potok, contains many interesting characters, one of which is Reuven Malter. Reuven, a young Jew and son of a teacher, focuses on baseball and his friends. It remains interesting how drastically he changes in the first week of the book. Instead of continuing his anger at Danny Saunders for sending him to the hospital, he uses his time there to learn lessons, and even becomes Danny’s friend. Reuven presents as forgiving, appreciative, and a friend. Reuven seems to have great character, and try his hardest to be a loyal friend to Danny.

During an intense baseball game between two Jewish sects, Reuven is hit in the eye by a baseball fresh off of Danny’s bat. Surprisingly Danny came to visit Reuven. Not

taking kindly to Danny’s visit, Reuven proceeded to yell at his visitor and send him away. Danny determined to apologize, returns later in the week to try again. Reuven listens to Danny’s side of the story and forgives him, “No hard feelings any more.” He asked me “No hard feelings I said.” (71) Even with being sent to the hospital, he still forgives Danny.

While in the hospital, Billy a blind boy, shows and tells Danny how many people take their health for granted. After his release from the hospital he begins to realize how ungrateful he himself has acted. From then on, he decides to change his outlook on life and appreciate the things of life more. He then realizes how well he lives. Reuven was quoted as saying about his house, “I had lived in it all my life, but never saw it until I went through it that Friday afternoon.”(96) Reuven used his time in the hospital to shape him into a better person.

When Danny and Reuven become friends, Reuven listens to Danny’s problems willingly. He seems to be the only one who will listen and talk to Danny. Danny’s father strangely implemented a silence between himself and his son. Therefore, Danny seems to be searching for a friend to talk to and confide in. While talking about God, he tells Reuven, “I’ve never said that to any one before.”(80) Because of this strange silence between himself and his father, Danny’s friendship with Reuven becomes even more important.

Reuven, a young man of character, tries his best to be a good friend to Danny. Many people would like a friend as forgiving as Reuven. In addition to his forgiving spirit, he changes his attitude and becomes more grateful. Reuven is kind and listens to people’s problems. Readers see this in the unlikely friendship with Danny. Over all, Chaim Potok’s character of Reuven Malter shows the good values of a young Jewish boy.