The Chosen, by Chaim Potok

The Chosen, By Chaim Potok

Friendship

While many obstacles get in the way of friendship, true friendship still lives, even in silence. In the book, The Chosen , By Chaim Potok, two boys, Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders, who are very religiously different and both raised in completely opposite ways, develops a deep friendship. Their friendship opens up their worldview to many other different viewpoints in life. The friendship between these two boys is one with great religious significance, starting off with destiny and Gods will. As Danny and Reuven's Friendship develops, it teaches them to respond wisely to the values of the more complex and secular world. It also teaches the true value of friendship. Because Danny's father, Reb Saunders, raised Danny in silence, Danny and Reuven's relationship was also a way that Reb Saunders could talk to his son, through Reuven. There friendship grows and they become closer and closer.

Many things were pushing Danny and Reuven to become friends at first, but after being open to the fact of a friendship, they instantly became friends and it was easy for them to discuss there activities, desires and their fears. The two boy's initial distrust and hatred for each other still didn't make it hard for them to talk, the talked with comfort and no fear

"Yesterday I had hated him; now we are calling each other by our first names. I sat and listened to him talk. I was fascinated just listening..." (pg. 68)

Even though there friendship started off with hatred after talking, they got to know each other. They shared their goals, dreams, their education and their families with each other freely. Mr. Malter, Reuven's father, tells Reuven what a friend is defined as, and tells Reuven to give Danny a chance to get to know him better, because Danny needs him.

"You Know what a friend is Reuven? A Greek philosopher said that two people who are friends are like two bodies with one soul" (pg 74)

The Differences between these boys are what set them apart, but when they finally talked, under the instructions of their fathers, they developed a strong connection which later on led to a deep friendship. After Reuven Rejected Danny for what he did to him, Mr. Malter tells Reuven a little bit about who Danny is, and why he needs a friend like Reuven.

"Reb Saunders son is a terribly torn and lonely boy, there is literally no one in the world he can talk to, he needs a friend . . . I am certain you and Reb Saunders son can help each other in such a friendship." (pg 106)

Mr. Malter tells his son what it means to be a friend and what has to be done. He needs someone to talk to and Reuven will listen. And they both need each other, to grow. What bound them together was the accident with the Baseball, But after being somewhat forced to get to know each other talking, and then having no fear of each other, they became bound together and helped each other's life open up to the world and to be brave as they grew up in a challenging world.

Danny and Reuven's friendship went through many trials and after one challenging block in their relationship, it silenced them both. And even though there friendship was banned, it withstood till the end. Danny and Reuven's friendship wasn't only beneficial for them, so they could talk and be open, but it was beneficial to Reb Saunders as well. Because of Danny and Reuven's relationship, Reb Saunders could talk to his son, through Reuven.

"Reuven, he has already talked to Danny about it, he has talked to Danny through you" (pg 101)

Danny and Reuven's relationship was a link between father and son, but this grew into something more, something life-long and unchanging. This friendship was true, it meant a lot to both of them, and their parents. However, after large disagreements in both Danny and Reuven's religious lives and families, Reb Saunders excommunicates