Conflict Between Danny And Reuven

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Many of the characters in The Chosen by Chaim Potok deeply love, care and protect other people in their lives. It sometimes might not seem like they truly watch over them in a few cases, but in truth these characters do so in unusual ways, which actually makes the book more enjoyable later on as one sees the conflicts between different peoples’ personalities. Meanwhile the varied means in which Danny and Reuven, the two main characters, respond to the ones that love them makes the relationships deeper and sometimes more confusing. Three characters that are very fond of Reuven and Danny are Reuven’s father, Reb Saunders, and Mr. Savo. Despite their drastically different temperaments, ways of showing their affection, and even order of appearance …show more content…

Savo takes on a great role of an encourager to Reuven and others in the hospital. After Reuven had an emergency operation on his eye, Mr. Savo, an injured boxer, introduces himself. Almost immediately he comes across as a very quirky character. After a while, though, it seems clear that he is very kind. He respects Reuven because of his religion and plays with the children in the ward against the doctor’s orders. “It’s a good thing to be, Bobby boy. Cockeyed world needs people like [rabbis].” He notes on page 57. He often contemplates things and calls them “cock-eyed”. He gives his opinions on other things two, and his input gives life to Reuven’s stay in the …show more content…

Although he spends much of his time in an office at home he rarely ever speaks to Danny at all. Even on Shabbat he only quizzes him on the Torah and stops talking. This behavior confuses and sometimes upsets his son, but he apparently means well, or simply fears talking to him. “The Master of the Universe gave me a brilliant son… And I cannot speak to him.” He remarks on page 167. But through all the silence Mr. Saunders clearly cares about Danny, maybe even too much when he makes Reuven check on him in the library to see what he reads there. And every time he holds a debate with Danny about the Torah, he loves seeing his son

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