The Chosen Essay, Research Paper

The Chosen

The central conflict was between the , oddly and ironically, matched best friends Danny and Bobby. They were rivals by their school baseball team. Each player wanting to kill the other but Danny almost succeeded. This is their conflict and friendship start. After they get to know each other has a best friend. Their fathers, both leaders of a Jewish Community, were at odds because of their religious views on how Jews should practice their religion and how they should be given the right to have a Jewish state. Both of their fathers share their views about how they worship, preach, and why his views are wrong. Resulting in a confrontation of words destroying their friendship. Their friendship and loyalty toward their fathers is the central compelling conflict.

The second conflict is Danny Saunder s devotion to lead in his father s footsteps and take over the “dynasty” that has been on going for six generations. Danny is an Orthodox Jew follows the old tradition, he has a very open mind to new learning experiences. Such as when he goes to the library a man gives him books to read. These books are about physiology , Danny is interested in these books. His father finds out what he is reading and who is giving him the books. It is Bobby s dad, the very political man that can t comprehend some of the views of Reb Saunders. Danny s dedication and loyalty to his father stops him and Bobby s friendship. This story is about friendship to your peers, family, and the ones you love. Not friendship with two Jewish boys that don t want to start but hope it will never end.

The characters in this book were helpless victims of circumstances. Until they were exposed to one another and their lives changed forever. This is how they were victims of circumstances. Danny Saunders was a victim of tradition, pride, and performance. He was following his father s footsteps to take over the ” dynasty.” That was his life to study the word of God and become a Rabbi. Soon After his encounter with Bobby s dad his views change about what he should become. This is the way Danny controlled his destiny, with someone else father. Danny has not yet experienced the kind of knowledge he received from the book he has studied since he was a child. Danny never has felt this much freedom and wide variety of knowledge past the Talmud.

The same story is true with Bobby. Before Bobby met Danny s father he was dabbling in the right path he should take. With his several strong encounters of Danny s father he was sure he wanted to be a Rabbi. The way he is respected in the community or when he speaks everyone listens. What Bobby wanted to do be a respected person that people come to you for their blessings, prayers, and words of wisdom. With out going the route his dad took, an over worked man that tries to fight for the good of fellowman. That is not bad but that is also the path that Bobby wants to stay way from. His control of his destiny has been strong since his mother s death. This is way he questions people of what their views are.