The "hooks" of life

Don't forget to read the epigraph on the page before Book One. Potok includes this short proverb from Karl A. Menninger (famous psychiatrist):

"When a trout rising to a fly gets hooked on a line and finds himself unable to swim about freely, he begins with a fight which results in struggles and splashes and sometimes an escape. Often, of course, the situation is too tough for him. In the same way the human being struggles with his environment and with the hooks that catch him. Sometimes he masters his difficulties; sometimes they are too much for him. His struggles are all that the world sees and it naturally misunderstands them. It is hard for a free fish to understand what is happening to a hooked one."

Most of the time, authors use epigraphs to introduce themes to the reader that he/she is most likely to explore in the book. One of the primary themes of this novel revolves around how characters navigate their tradition with the modern world. Both Danny and Reuven are caught by many of life's "hooks." Watch how they struggle with those ideological, spiritual, and emotional battles. Then, ask yourself these questions: how do you respond to new ideas, especially those that seem to oppose what you already know to be true? How do you react when you get caught by a "hook?" As you read "The Chosen," think about whether you relate more with Danny's story or with Reuven's story? Where do you fit in this narrative?

Lastly, I want to encourage you to enter the essay contest this year. The writing prompt asks you to create an essay on this very topic. The prompt is below:

"A major theme of Chaim Potok’s The Chosen is the simultaneous appeal and danger of new ideas. How should a Christian university deal with the ideas of thinkers who are, to Christians, “goyim”? How do we balance devotion to our faith with exploration of new ideas?"

Our student bloggers start writing next Monday. They are a mix of in-coming freshmen and upper classmen; men and women; and avid readers and reluctant readers. Join them in dialogue; leave lots of comments.

happy reading,
Dr. Jake Stratman