Wednesday, March 4, 2009
THE CHOSEN - Ch. 4 – Danny
There is so much going on in this chapter that is worth talking about. However, I want you to focus on the character of Danny. He is really "fleshed" out in this chapter. He becomes deeper and much more complicated. I want you to tell me how you feel about him at this point. Have your feelings changed? When did they change? Expand in any direction you'd like, so long as you EXPAND.
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11 comments:
omg this chapter is so interesting there is so much going on! About Danny, i love him. He is a well rounded character; he is deep and finally comes out with the truth about how he feels about his religion. I sort of have a respect for him in the way that even though he doesn't want to become a rabbi so he wont let his father and his people down. I just really like him because he says he believes in God and yet he makes it sound like he doesnt. Reuven himself thinks that Danny sounds like an apikoros, which makes me go back to what Reuvens father said about befriending Danny...i wonder if it was to get Danny's true feelings out. Is it possible for Reuven to become a rabbi so that Danny can be whatever he wants?
omg ok so i totally forgot my password and stuff so i hope this works haha..o its jackie by the way!
Wow, I have to say that this has been one of the most interesting chapters in this book so far. We have learned so much about about Danny, and have really gotten some great insight on what his character is really like. In the begining I have to say that I really didn't like him all that much, I thought he was just a really cocky and arrogant person, who only cared about himself. But after reading this chapter my feelings have definitely changed towards his character. He has come out with the whole truth about who he really is, like the fact that he loves to read and that Reuven's father has been giving him suggestions on what books to read. That was something that I did not see happening. He also goes on to say that he doesn't really talk to his father at all except when they are praying and lecturing, which probably goes on to show that he doesn't really have the best relationship or connection with his father. He also says that he does not want to become a rabbi when he gets older but has to since it's a sort of dynasty in his family. That must really be really hard for him to deal, and he also must really scared to even to tell his father. I just completely see him in a totally different perspective, now that I have found out so much more about him. I would have to say that my feelings really starting changing towards him in the last pages of the 3rd chapter when he comes to visit Reuven at the hospital to apologize. That was very big of him to do, and could not of been easy for him to admit to Reuven that he was wrong. I am really enjoying this book so much, and can't wait to get to these next few chapters
Well, i liked this chapter very much but Danny seemed very different to me. Now that he knows the father and the father knew him this whole time, it kind of changes everything. I sort of knew that Danny already knew the father because he acted kind of weird and the dad also acted weird when Reuven talked about him, like he knew that Danny was going to come, or maybe he asked him to come. who knows. This changes everything because i hated Danny in the beginning because of what he did to Reuven, but then when he came to visit Reuven at the hospital and then he had come again, and then he came a third time, their relationship started changing and i liked it because they were becoming friends. But now that Danny and Reuven's father know each other it sort of changes, i don't know. But i really like Danny, he is a very good character. He has finally come out and talked about his religion with Reuven and he is telling him a lot of personal things. He is telling him that he has to become a rabbi, but he really doesn't want to at all, and he probably won't enjoy it either, but he has to do it, because he is next in line. Danny sounds like he doesn't like his religion, he sounds like he doesn't believe in God, he sounds like an apikoros. But he says that , that was not what he meant. He says that he does believe in God.
So far, i really like Danny, even though, i kind of smell something FISHY...about him.
That's all i have to say about this chapter.
okay so yea i'm gonna have to agree with katherine. this IS the most intersting chapter so far.. When Danny was first introduced i didn't like him at all. As i continued reading, i kinda began to feel like he couldn't be trusted.. like his intentions weren't good.. But now in this chapter i kinda like his character. he's living a way of life that has been forced upon him; not one that he would have chosen at all. If it was up to him, he would not become a rabbi but he understands that without him,....their religion wouldn't really be so he accepts the responsibility of it anyway.
idk..i hate to say it, but this book is getting interesting :]
okay so i agree with everyone else so far by saying that this chapter has a whole bunch of shizz going on in it. first of all, i'm actually starting to really like the book. its really getting a hold of me. okay so you want us"me" to talk about how i feel about danny so i shall. I think that danny has really expanded not only the thoughts about himself and his future but as well with his friendship with Reuven. The way he was able to tell Reuven that he has weird feelings about his religion, how he doesn't really want to become a Rabbi even though he has to because it's like a dynasty. It's just amazing how he's able to just come out of his shell and be able to talk to Reuven. What i think is really cool is how he reads 8 books a week. "i don't even read that much in a year." and his talent in his reading ability. how Reuven's father said he can just sit there and read books and not only does he know the book but he mesmerizes them. I think that is truly amazing. So what i said with last weeks blog about Reuven's father telling danny to go apologize, i dont think that anymore. I think he just had the courage to go up and face Reuven and tell him that he was sorry. But this chapter was really deep because not only did Danny come out of his shell but Mr. Savo got his eye taken out and then little Billy went into operation and i still have no idea what happened to him. so far, the suspense in this chapter is killing me. I WANT TO KEEP READING!!!
So my feelings for Danny have taken a complete 180. He has shown his "true" nature and i think he is a really great guy. What I like is the way that Potok writes the story. It makes you want to feel the same things that Reuven is feeling. I think I finally made a decision on Danny after the second time he went to visit Reuven. Like I said in the last post, that takes a person who is truly sorry for his actions (I don't remember if I actually wrote that...lol). We find that he has been going to the library and reading books (ALOT of books) that his father might dissaprove of. If these books are what Danny is interested in, I say all the more power to him. I know that if my dad didn't want me to read a certain book, but that book is what I wanted to read, I would probably still read it...maybe thats just me... We also find that Danny doesn't really want to take his father's place as the rabbi of his church even though it is sort of a "dynasty". If his father or so called "people" would be mad at him for choosing to lead a life he would be happy with, instead of what other people "chose" for him to do, then I would hate to be jewish(no offense to anyone that is jewish). When Reuven tells Danny that he sounds like an Apikoros, I thought it was actually true- Danny sounding like an apikoros, I mean(if you didn't catch that). I think it is kind of ironic, actually, that the so called "apikoros"(Reuven) wants to become a rabbi, while the so called "fanatic"(Danny) wants nothing more than to NOT become a rabbi (just thought I would share that with yall).
So yeah, probably got WAY off topic (not too sure)...
I have to disagree with everyone else about this book starting to get interesting. I think it has been interesting since the first chapter. XP
Well my feelings towards Danny are a little bit more sympathetic for him now since he started to open up. You can understand more why he wanted to win so bad, because he practically had to in order for his dad to let him and his team play baseball. There is a lot of pressure on him from his father wanting for him to continue the family dynasty of becoming a rabbi. He also shows a little more about how he feels about his religion. I think he "respects" God, but i'm not sure that he BELIEVES that there is a God. Thats the way it came across to me. Its kinda sad that he can't go and continue his dream of being a psychologist. In this chapter, Danny really opens up more about himself. In the beginning I really disliked Danny because of his attitude towards Reuven and his rude and cocky comments. I really wanted Reuven to win the game because Danny made me so mad! However, after reading this chapter, it gives the reader an insight to Danny. He's really not such a bad guy. I thought it was intresting that Reuven's dad was suggesting books to Danny. I don't know it was ironic in a way. Anyways...it seems to me that Reuven and Danny are gonna be friends.
P.S. I want to know how Billy's operation went!!!!
Jack, you are right to wonder about David Malter’s intentions, and you will find out soon enough, but what is it EXACTLY that you love about Danny? Is it that he is loyal? complicated? individualistic? I would like to hear more about that. Katherine, I’m glad you’re enjoying the book. It’s amazing the 180 that Potok causes us to take on Danny isn’t it? I think there’s something about his character that every teenager can identify with…. that “trapped” feeling we all sometimes get. Good response. Ashley, you sound confused about the character of Danny. Perhaps that is because Danny is so confused about himself. The fact that Potok can transfer that feeling onto you, the reader, shows his skills as a writer. Look out everyone! Elena said something positive about the book! I knew I’d get you. Is it the fact that he chooses to sacrifice himself for his families dynasty that makes you like him, or is it the rebel in him that is reading books behind his father’s back? I wanna know more! Phillip, everyone saying they’re starting to like the book. I hope everyone’s feelings are genuine. Thank you for mentioning Danny’s almost unnatural intelligence. It must be nice to remember everything you read huh? It’s not like Reuven is a dunce either. You hit on a good point about how Danny just started opening up to Reuven. It’s almost as if they were destined to become best friends. Do you think David Malter knew this would happen? Edward, your best post to date! Good pick up on the irony and the fact that Danny is becoming more of a character we can relate to and less of one that we hate. Aly, nice point about the baseball game and why he “had to” win. You also picked up on some of the torment that Danny is feeling about his religion, his destiny, and God. This is expanded on later in the book. As for Billy… you’ll find out soon enough.
Ok so, I completely do not like the way Danny turned out. I mean yeah he's got thoughts and he's not a static character any more, but I enjoyed hating him. Not that I don't hate him, I feel stupid for hating him. It seems like he has just lifted the heaviest burden off of his shoulders. The way he is now makes me wonder if he was simply cocky and arrogant to simply cover up the feelings he truly had so that people wouldn't question him, the path of life he longs to live, and that he does have feelings. any how, here I found out that they both now know they were born in Brooklyn, he enjoys reading and not only that he likes to read but books that his ex-enemies father is suggesting (I agree with Katherine on this part) it's just kind of ironic how things are all playing out. And then, this is what I found completely weird, he's jewish and they're supposed to be like steadfast in their religion but Danny isn't really. He has weird opinions and thoughts about his religion and that his father emphasizes silence and that they rarely talk. You just have to feel sympathetic for him and kind of want to give him a hug. He's like a puppy that just got kicked and now had a new friend to vent to. I think that all along he was just looking for a window so he could breath and tell someone what was really going on. I think that the reason he used to hate Reuven is because of his father. Reuven's father loves him and shows him his love constantly and Danny secretly (not any more) longs for the love of his father. He just wants someone to love him. I think that person is going to be Reuven
I got really into this chapter. There is so many questions that are being answered. I love Danny, he is such a wonderful person and i love on how he expresses himself about religion. I think that it must be hard for him because his people and father want him to become a rabbi but he doesn't want to. I admire him for trying to not to let the people he loves down. I think its kind of interesting on how he believes in God so much yet in this chapter it seems like isn't too much into religion. There is also a part in which Reuven starts to hear Danny speaking and feels that he sounds like a apikoros. I agree with Jackie on how this kind of goes back into when Reuvens father had told him about befreiending Danny. To answer Jackie's question i think Reuven to become a rabbi and help Danny be whatever he wants to be in life because i don't really see a problem with it but it will be convincing the people to agree since they alreay want Danny to do it. I can't wait to read the next chapter.
p.s. i am sorry for posting this late. i barely woke up. SORRY!
Lyke OMG Danny Saunders is da cooliest! This chapter is really interesting and Danny is finally “fleshed” out in it. Danny seems to me to be some sort of loner…what we call “emo” nowadays (LULZ, JK) I wasn’t like everyone else and thought he was some mean a-hole…I pretty much liked him from the start. The kid is basically a genius and I can see that he and Reuven are going to be great friends. Like the Torah said; two things are important. 1. A teacher & 2. A friend….and let me tell you; REUVEN FOUND HIS FRIEND. Yay…im not gonna write much because I have about 40 more pages to read tonight…woohoo!
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