The Chosen v The Assistant
Themes are literary tools used by authors to enhance their writings. When a similar theme exists in two different novels, parallels can often be drawn between the characters and structures of literary work. Such is the case for Bernard Malamud's The Assistant and Chaim Potok's The Chosen. Religion plays a major role in the shaping of both novels. Both books begin with the respective religious outcast (Frank and Rueven) befriending the respective character (Morris and Danny) as a result of an act of malice. The characters Ida and Reb Saunders from The Assistant and The Chosen respectively have similar reactions to their child's involvement with this outcast. Thus, a definite parallel is evident between the general flow of both novels as a result of the religion theme. The Assistant, set in Brooklyn during the 1940's, opens with a robbery. Frank Alpine, a non-Jew who constantly found himself doing the wrong thing, was one of the men involved in the crime. Frank and his partner Ward robbed the grocery store of Morris Bober. Morris, a poor Jewish family man, had a mere $15 to offer them from his cash register. Ward reacted violently to this news by striking Morris on his head. Frank felt responsible for M
In comparison to The Assistant, The Chosen also began during the 1940's in a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. The opening scene is set at a softball game between two Jewish parochial schools. Hatred and determination were embedded in the minds of every player on that field. This was more than just a softball game between two schools. It was the Hasidics versus the traditional Jews. No one was backing down. Rueven Malter pitched the ball to Hasidic Danny Saunders. Danny's bat connected with the ball and smacked Rueven in the face, eventually landing him in the hospital. Danny soon admits to himself that he fully intended to hit his rival. Similar to Frank's experience after the robbery, Danny suffers from a guilty conscience. His next action parallels Frank's decision to work for Morris. Danny visits Rueven in the hospital to apologize for hurting him. Like Frank and Morris, Rueven and Danny soon become friends.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Bober Morris, Assistant Chosen, Reb Saunders, Potok's Chosen, Helen Ida, Brooklyn York, Ida Frank's, Saunders Danny's, Frank Ida, Ida Reb, reb saunders, malamud's assistant chaim, assistant chaim potok's, chaim potok's, malamud's assistant, potok's chosen, ida reb, morris danny, assistant chaim, assistant chosen, bernard malamud's assistant, chaim potok's chosen, frank ida, zionist movement,
Approximate Word count = 832
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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