The Chosen

The Chosen is a book by Chaim Potok published in 1967. It is about two teenage Jewish boys who form a friendship, though they come from different worlds.

Themes

External themes

While the story is taking place, many references are made to outside events, including World War Two, the Holocaust, and the founding of the state of Israel. Potok reveals the reactions of different groups to each of these events.

Related Topics:
World War Two - Holocaust

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Internal themes

Growing up, father-son communication, and friendship are all themes of the story. Chaim Potok reveals the challenges of growing up in different worlds: the exposed and the closed off. He shows the difficulty of fathers in communicating with their sons as they grow up, and the changes that take place in the way father and son relate. Also, Potok illustrates the need for companionship among maturing boys, and the close relationship that arises as young adults develop.

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