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Danny Saunders In Chaim Potok's The Chosen

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Danny Saunders Set in the 1940’s to 1950’s, any normal young man might spend his free time at a drive-in movie or bowling alley. Perhaps he might absorb himself in the action of World War II. Not Danny, a young Russian Hasidic Jew living in Brooklyn, whose father leads their Jewish sect as a Rabbi, and who only has one close friend, Reuven Malter. Through the turning of each page of The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, one may glean an even deeper understanding of the complex individual, Danny Saunders. Danny presents as an intricately formed character with many facets to him. During the course of each scene, Chaim reveals a bit more about Danny’s incredibly intelligent mind, the burdens he carries, and the rebellion that grows inside of him. The convoluted character of Danny is elaborately designed with a genius mind that reveals itself in numerous ways. His photographic memory proves useful to him as he recites many passages of the Talmud, pages of books, and eminent quotes, to himself as he ponders on the world, or to his father when in discussion. He masterfully …show more content…

Due to the strict religious views of Danny’s father, Reb Saunders, Danny is forced to investigate the secular world in secret. Keeping his true feelings, doubts, and opinions inside and away from his father weighs on Danny and is only eased through his friendship with Reuven. Danny is torn between wanting to be independent and respecting his father and his beliefs. To the reader, Danny is perceived as trapped in a tyrannical home. He is struggling to make up his own mind about his beliefs even as his father presses his own strong beliefs onto him. These pressures, from himself and his father, only cause internal disillusion. Reuven quickly picks up on this confusion, “You look like a Hasid, but you don’t sound like one. You don’t sound like what my father says Hasidim are supposed to sound like. You sound almost as if you don’t believe in God

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