David Malter is the father of Reuven Malter, the main character of the book “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok. In this book, Mr. Malter is described as a smart, loving, and kind man, while knowing what he believes in and standing his ground. He has godly wisdom and earthly intelligence. Reuven and him often would simply sit together and talk. Mr. Malter encouraged Reuven to become friends with another Jewish boy, Danny, who lived a completely different life then Reuven.
The following quote stated by David Malter: “Things are always what they seem? Since when?” (Potok 50) explains his character, its importance to the novel, and why it was stated. In the novel The Chosen by Chaim Potok, David Malter plays an important role in the budding friendship of Reuven and Danny. In particular, what David Malter had said to Reuven shows that Mr. Malter does not assume things based on how they appear unless he knows it for a fact. He is a man that knows not to assume based on how they appear, but the content of it.
Within the Bible, wherever Christ went, He influenced and inspired the people He taught. In The Chosen, David Malter taught at a local college and wrote for a local newspaper, thus he influenced many of his Jewish followers. Later in the story, David Malter gathered his congregation around and spoke at a rally for Jerusalem to become a Jewish state. Printed in the papers, his speech became very popular, and everyone seemed influenced by it. Similar to the people inspired by his speech, David Malter also influenced Reuven.
Thus, throughout Chaim Potok’s novel The Chosen, Reuven Malter exhibits immense courage in every situation, compassion towards Danny and Billy, and respect in regards to his father. Even in the midst of many trying
One of the first words children learn to say is “daddy.” This is one of the earliest signs that fathers play extremely large and important roles in their children’s lives. Part of the father’s role that can make or break the relationship with his child is the expression of fatherly love. Reuben Land of Peace like a River receives a constant stream of affection from his dad Jeremiah. In fact, the righteous Jeremiah Land is a near-perfect example of pure, fatherly love and even more so an example of God’s love for His children. Jeremiah isn’t just a tender father to Reuben; he treats his other children Swede and Davy with the same passion he shows Reuben.
He believes that the silence is not only destroying his relationship with Danny, but also Danny’s soul. When Reuven speaks with Reb Saunders again on Saturdays, Saunders does not say anything about the two year ban between the two boys, which Reuven finds frustrating and weird. Reuven did however learn a lot about silence in these two years, as he never thought silence could be so full. Another reason why The Chosen mainly focuses on silence can be seen by looking at the way the book is written. For most people, silence is awkward and empty, and generally the absence of sounds and detail.
Especially the son of David Malter” (Potok 130). Reb Saunders wants to be more connected to his son’s closest friend and be apart of his life this is one of the connection throughout the story. Reuven while thinking about the situation with Danny says to himself “Poor Danny… your father with his bizarre silence-which I still couldn’t understand, no matter how often I thought about it-ia torturing your soul” (Potok 222). There are different connections between fathers
Some readers might brush him off as a religious fanatic and a cruel, domineering father; others might identify with his struggle to raise his son how he thinks best. Some might be moved by Reb Saunders’s tears of apology; others might think that he abused Danny and that his apology could not possibly make up for it. Like Reuven, nobody is quite sure just how to feel about Reb Saunders by the end of the novel, which is actually a good thing in a different angle. It meant that The Chosen had accomplished a big goal. It enabled the readers to see beyond the surface of things and people, into deeper meanings.
Reuven is inspired by Danny to become more involved in his religious community, and become a rabbi. The character transitioned from someone with a burning anger towards the Hasidics, who were incredibly religious, to someone near that level. While this is interesting to watch across the pages of the novel, it leads to a simple and basic plot line. Despite the lack of plot, the characters incite some build up in the story. There is a visible inciting incident, but the climax is difficult to define because of the lack of build up the book exhibits.
Religion is one of the most powerful forces on the human race. It influences billions of people all over the world. “84 percent of the world has faith” (Jennifer Harper). It is mind boggling that 5.8 billion people have faith in a higher power, considering this requires giving complete, blind allegiance to something that has no factually based evidence to back it up. To believe something that is told without proof, and not having any doubt or questions about said thing, is simply preposterous.