The Chosen Theme of Education

The main characters in The Chosen, two young men and their fathers, are obsessed with education. Hungry for learning, they spend most of their time reading, writing, and studying – or talking about reading, writing, and studying. These folks don’t take education for granted. When World War II ends and news of its horrors are in public view, education seems even more precious. Education is at the heart of many of the conflicts presented in The Chosen, and the characters try to balance their religious studies with their needs for secular knowledge.

1. Do Danny and Reuven’s religious studies complement or conflict with their secular studies, and vice-versa?
2. What do Danny and Reuven learn from David Malter and Reb Saunders?
3. Why does Reb Saunders want to teach Danny about suffering? What does Danny learn, if anything?
4. Does the Reb learn something from what he tries to teach Danny? If so, what?
5. What are some of the things that David and Danny learn from each other?

One of the most important things Danny learns is how to listen to silence.