I am going to go ahead and make at least one post on the book this month, though I think Frank and I are the only ones reading. I'm about halfway through and I have a few interesting thoughts on which anyone, whether reading or not, could comment...
1. Hasidic Judaism is a sect of mainstream Judaism. One could say that they are the strict believers of the word. Ritual, prayer, and tradition are extremely important. The Hasidic Jews also become an integral part of American society when they began migrating from Europe and Russia before, during, and after World War II. It seems as if the Jews are constantly relocating, always without a home, forever persecuted. Ben touched on this when we read Smurf's book. I'm going to remove myself from both personal and religious beliefs and ask, "WHY?" I mean, the Jewish faith and the Jewish people have seemingly always been driven from place to place, but the history books seem to always precede the persecution. Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy, or are they actually a special people? Other groups, be they religious, cultural, or racial, also face the same persecution and lack of a homeland, but it doesn't seem like their fate is constantly being foreshadowed in some book or scripture.
2. Asher's mother is portrayed as a Christ-figure throughout the novel. She constantly sacrifices for the good of the Jewish people. But I think that his father is also somewhat of a Christ-figure. The difference between the two is that Asher's mother despises the Rebbe for the work that he requires, and Asher's father respects and admires the Rebbe. Is it possible that the author is making the point that Christ himself was tempted to doubt or even despise His father--God? I'm not arguing that he did, but it seems a logical assumption to make that anyone agreeing to self-sacrifice might have troubling thoughts toward the one requiring the sacrifice.
Just a few thoughts I've had as I've read. Pick up the book if you have time. It's easy to read, and I think it's a fantastic book. I know the blog has been dead for the most part this month as people have been doing finals and going on vacation, but I still enjoy hearing from you all when you get a chance to write. Good luck to everyone in all you are doing!
5 comments:
I, too, am half way through this book and I have really enjoyed it so far. I have a deep appreciation for the Jews and a strong desire to learn more about them. I love the structured, ritualistic form of Hasidic Judaism. Asher's father seems especially devoted and I really like the genuine glimpses into his faith (when Asher sees his father praying alone or going off to the Mikveh). I really respect people that live their lives so truly.
So far I feel like Potok has kept Asher emotionally shallow. There doesn't seem to be much feeling behind his communications - he's almost robotically distant. That may be a way of separating Asher as a special child or, if I remember correctly, I think Potock falls short in this arena in The Chosen. If so, what a flaw to have. I feel more connected with the father than any other character in the book.
In response to item 2 of your post, I do NOT think that Asher's mother is a type of Christ. His father seems to be self sacrificing, the mother, no. After her brother dies, she withers into a useless state and is brought out of it only by the prospect of leaving the home and going to school. The only hint of self sacrifice I've seen in her is that now that she has almost completed her studies she is willing to do as the Rebbe asked and travel to Europe (even then, she pounced back into graduate studies once Asher ruined the chance for them to move to Austria). The best comparison between the father and Jesus Christ is summed up in one word - dutiful. They were both willing to whatever they were asked and seemed to do it without regard to their personal discomfort.
I am anxious to finish reading it. It's a shame we haven't had as much of a response to this book as to others. Hopefully it will pick up because it is a good, easy read.
Oh, PS I was out of town for a week or so and wasn't following the blog until today. Ben's comment about Clint's "permission slip" is one of the best remarks I've ever read. Ever. I cried.
I've now read long enough to know that Nick was much more spot on than I was! I had some man-crush on Asher's dad. I've come to realize he is much more flawed than I originally suspected. Not to mention that Asher's mother is much more Christlike than I originally thought.
I've really enjoyed the book so far. I only have about sixty more pages to read before I finish. The book took a rather unexpected turn for me when the Rebbe gave the green light on painting. I think he showed great wisdom in the way that he has encouraged Asher in his life. He's allowed him to do what he wants with thoughtful caution along the way. "A life is measured by how it is lived for the sake of heaven." After spending his childhood being raised by good parents who taught him correct principles, the Rebbe recognized Asher's ascent into adolescence and manhood and basically tells him to do what he wants with his life but to remember what counts in the end.
I've thought a lot about this as Asher has made small compromises as he's grown up. The most notable to this point being his painting the nudes. Even after his private shame for doing so, he was defiant to his father's wishes against painting naked women. I hope that he eventually gets to a point where he can really be true to himself and his people. I think a thread throughout the parts of the book with Jacob Kahn has been that once you've mastered art, then you can change it and make it your own. I hope that once Asher has proven himself accomplished, he will be able to elevate his people - something he desired right from the time he met Anna in Jacob's studio the first time he went for lessons. I hope once he's arrived at that point he can honor his religion, his people and his family. I'm excited to see what happens.
Frank,
I was in the same place as you when I read the book the first time. Only the second time through do I realize the subtlety behind Potok's writing in creating a Christ-figure out of Asher's mother. I think he does it on purpose. You start out on the side of the father, feeling angry toward those that for whatever reason are NOT giving their entire lives to the Hasidic peoples' cause. But you then come to see Asher's father as somewhat of a zealot (in a bad way) and you feel that while he is saving enslaved Jewish people, he is imprisoning his own family.
I love the scene in which Asher takes his mother to the museum, asking her to explain the paintings of Christ and the nudes. I think that after reading that I actually looked at Christ from the perspective of Jew for the first time in my life. I never realized that they saw him as one who could have been a "meshiach". Whether Christian or not, it is easy to see why anyone of Jewish faith would feel anger toward the heartache that has been caused by people acting in the name of Christ. My favorite part about this scene is the feeling that Potok gives the reader. He doesn't push one view (Christian or Jewish) over the other. He isn't trying to argue history or religious ideology. Rather, he shows that there can be beauty in just about anything if it is seen in correct perspective. And isn't that what art is all about?
I hope that more of you will find time to pick up this book. Frank, I'm anxious to discuss the ending with you. It blew me away. I think it may force you to rethink some of your comments about Asher living up to his religion and making his people proud. And before you answer, think of this--even if he continues to paint nudes or other "goyish" art, is he really disgracing his people? Wouldn't it be more of a disgrace to not live up to the full extent of the talent that the Jewish god in whom he believes gave him?
PS...Another reason I chose this book is because of the Russian history behind it. Potok hints at the atrocities the Jewish people faced in trying to get out of Russia. If you think the stories from Auschwitz are bad, just read Anne Applebaum's "Gulag". She bases her book on "The Gulag Archipelago", by Solzhenitsin. He wrote the book during the cold war and was actually exiled from Russia because of it.
2 cents:
I'm not as far along as the two of you but I'd like to mention a couple of themes that I've enjoyed: (1) the conflict between the personal and the familial; and (2) Hasidic tradition/past vs. Asher's gift. First, Frank and Nick both mentioned that they seemed to be on the side of father early on. I wasn't. I saw each family member struggling with their personal desires and ambitions and their duty to their family. The father's 'sacrifices' merely amounted to traveling for the Rebbe, something that he loved to do. If I recall correctly the Father went nuts when he had the desk job and had to answer the telephone all the time. He wanted to travel. Plus, everyone is always pointing out what an honor it is to work for the Rebbe, and how pround everyone must be of him. It seems to me that the Father was doing what he really wanted at the expense of his family. Mom was the same way. She became obsessed with her brother's unfinished business at the expense of caring for her child. Asher has a similar struggle with his drawing verses school work, coming home on time.
The second theme I enjoy is the struggle between tradition or what is expected of Asher as a Hasidic Jew and Asher being true to his gift. Asher is periodically haunted by his great ancestor in nightmares. He is also constantly reminded of what his grandfather etc would think of his drawing. (foolishness? was that the term used?). I expect the resolution will result in Asher having to to ultimately choose between maximizing his gift and being true to tradition or perhaps mixing them somehow.
Lastly, note all the scenes looking through the livng room window after a traumatic event. Father does it, Mother did it, Asher does it. Haven't really figured it out yet but I like it. Especially sometimes when the blinds go crooked. What is that telling us?
I am going on an Alaskan cruise next week with my buddy Lowell and his work and I will be reading for hours on end. I will read this book and finish all the others. Sorry I have nothing to say for now.
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