How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
When I told him about Danny Saunders’ photographic mind, he nodded as if he had known about that all the time. (4.15)
Danny’s photographic mind is symbolic of some of the novel’s obsessions, like history, the past, remembering the dead, and remembering our ancestors. And, it helps make Danny a fascinating character.
Quote #2
"I have no choice," he said again. "It’s like a dynasty. If the son doesn’t take the father’s place, the dynasty falls apart. The people expect me to be their rabbi. My family has been their rabbi for six generations now." (4.129)
This passage shows that memory and the past can be a burden. The novel struggles with the dilemma of how to honor the past and still be true to one’s self.
Quote #3
"This is what happened to Polish Jewry. By the eighteenth century, it had become a degraded people. Jewish scholarship was dead." (6.11)
Did David’s big history lesson help you understand the novel, or did you find it boring, and tedious and just skip through it? It’s a really long speech but Reuven doesn’t want his father to stop. His friendship with Danny has awakened his desire to "remember" the past of his people. The history becomes almost a shared memory.
Quote #4
"Two month later, his wife, his son, and his eighteen-month-old daughter were shot to death […] during the period of chaos that followed the revolution." (7.157)
This helps us to understand the Reb, though it doesn’t seem to help Reuven. Think of the memories the Reb must have of that other family. No wonder he is steeped in sadness. How much do you think his past impacts his present relationship with Danny, and his approach to Judaism?
Quote #5
There came the news, at first somewhat guarded, then, a few days later, clear and outspoken, of the German concentration camps. (11.30)
This news changes the memories of the characters forever and, in fact, the memories of the entire world. We can’t forget news like this, and it alters how we think of everything after we know about it.
Quote #6
"It occurred to me recently that if I didn’t take my father’s place I wouldn’t be breaking the dynasty after all. My brother could take over." (12.50)
Danny has suddenly found a way to step outside of history and free himself from imprisonment. It’s hard to analyze this moment, though, because we don’t know enough about Levi. We can’t tell if Danny is giving his brother freedom, or simply making his brother trade places with him in the jail.
Quote #7
I went to bed early that night but lay awake a long time, trying to remember all the things Danny and I had done together since the Sunday afternoon his ball had struck me in the eye. (13.108)
Memory is a gift here. Reuven can use his memory to stave off loneliness and be close to Danny in some way. He also isn’t sure whether he and Danny will ever be able to hang out again, and his memories of Danny become even more precious.
Quote #8
"My wife has been chosen for me. […] It’s an old Hasidic custom, remember?" (17.15)
While arranged marriages might be perfect for some, it isn’t for Danny. Again, we see him trapped by the past, by tradition and custom.
Quote #9
"Danny […] when you have a son of your own, you will raise him in silence?"
"Yes," he said, "if I can’t find another way." (18.53-54)
This is a stunning moment in the text. Danny admits that, sometimes, all we have to go on is what the people before us have done. Sometimes, if the choice is hard enough, we’ll use something we have seen work in the past, instead of risking a new approach.