The Chosen †A Story Of Suffering

The Chosen – A Story Of Suffering Free Online Research Papers In the book, The Chosen, written by Chaim Potok, the theme of suffering is of great significance. This theme is illustrated throughout the book, with a variety of different events that take place. The theme of suffering is most well explained in the story, when a little blind boy named Billy has an unsuccessful eye surgery, when Danny’s father raises Danny in silence, when hundreds of Jews die in Europe, and when Reuvan’s dad has a heart attack. These four events, although some are more obvious than the others, illustrate suffering in a way, to which almost anyone can relate. Suffering is everywhere and therefore, the theme of suffering in The Chosen, is something worth understanding and interpreting. Danny’s father raising Danny in silence was on of the biggest issues in the book where the theme of suffering showed up. Danny was a Hasid, who at first, was hated by Reuvan, but then later became friends with him. As Reuvan got to know Danny more, he learned that Danny’s father raised him in silence. Reuvan thought that â€Å" Danny’s father, with his bizarre silencewhich Reuvan still couldn’t understand, no matter how often he thought about was torturing Danny’s soul† (Potok 263). Danny didn’t like the silence at all, even though he still loved his father. It was making him suffer because he wanted to be a psychologist, and break the tradition his father treasured greatly, of becoming a rabbi. There was no way for Danny to communicate to his father because of the awkward silence, which lay between them. He had to suffer by keeping all his wishes to himself, afraid of hurting his father. The anxiety and the fear, which Danny felt wh en he chose his own ways and followed his own will, was a great deal of suffering. He knew that he would have to tell his father someday that he wanted to be a psychologist instead of a rabbi, and this tortured him. Him refusing to be the next rabbi wouldn’t only hurt him, but also all the Hasid people who were looking up to him and his family. Danny would have to disappoint them all, and this was very hard for him. On top of his father’s bizarre silence, the fact that one day he would have to break his father’s heart made him worry and suffer even more. At the end of the book when Danny’s father, filled with pain and disappointment, finally agreed to let Danny do whatever he wants, Reuvan observed Danny, who was sitting next to his father. He saw that â€Å"Danny sat with his right hand over his eyes, his glasses pushed up on his forehead. Danny was crying silently, his shoulders quivering† (Potok 331). Danny had to let out all the pain he was car rying around all these years. He felt sorry when he realized that he just destroyed all his father’s work, of bringing him up in silence, to make him a good rabbi. He realized that his father wanted him to know how it felt to suffer and that was why he brought him up in silence. His father wanted to make out of him, a rabbi, who could take all his peoples’ suffering and carry it on his own shoulders. The silence Danny was raised in seemed cruel and painful, but after all, that was the whole point. The whole point in raising Danny in silence was for him to understand and get used to feeling pain, and look for answers in his own soul. Feeling pain, and suffering was also illustrated in this story through the unsuccessful eye surgery of a young boy. This little boy, Billy, was someone Reuvan had met when he went to the hospital because of an eye accident. Billy had the bed on the right side of Reuvan in the hospital, and that was how Reuvan got to know him. The little boy was blind in both eyes and was waiting for a surgery, which was supposed to give him his eyesight back. Weeks later after Reuvan left the hospital, he suddenly thought about Billy and remembered that his eye surgery had already taken place, and so he called Billy’s father. Billy’s eye surgery was not successful. This gave Reuvan a huge shock. While he was on the phone still, hearing the bad news, â€Å"He felt himself break out into a cold sweat. The hand holding the phone began to tremble and he had to push the phone against his face to keep it steady† (Potok 205) After experiencing how it felt to have no sight for a while in one eye, Reuvan felt the pain which Billy was probably going through right now. When Reuvan had surgery on one eye, he wasn’t supposed to read or do any of those things which he so enjoyed doing. After he heard about Billy’s eyes he realized how much Billy suffered. Reuvan suffered a great deal when he couldn’t read for a few weeks, but Billy had never had the chance to read .Billy had never even seen the world, or his own parents. Billy had always suffered. This is when Reuvan realized how lucky he was that his eye got better. Reuvan shared in Billy’s pain because he knew how it felt like to be blind, although not completely blind. Billy’s unsuccessful eye surgery helped open Reuvan’s eyes and he saw from Billy’s perspective, how it was like to suffer. When some Jewish people suffered, other Jews took part in their suffering as well. The Chosen took place in the time of war in Europe when so many Jews got killed. Millions of Jews were killed in the War and the rabbis and Jews in America were sharing in their suffering. Danny says this when Reuvan asks him why his dad just randomly cries every now and then, â€Å" ‘ Six million Jews have died†¦I think he’s thinking of them. He’s suffering for them’† ( Potok 237). Reb Saunders suffers for the Jews by crying for them. After all, it was his job. Because he was a Hasidic rabbi, his job was to carry his peoples’ burden. Six million Jews died, and so many were being persecuted. They were being thrown into concentration camps, and forced to work. The suffering in Europe at this time was just unbearable. Families were torn apart, and people were killed in gas chambers, and put into furnaces. This suffering of the Jewish people was a reason why Reb Saunders wanted Danny to be a Rabbi so bad. Danny could carry all the suffering if he was the rabbi. All the Jewish people were dying out, and now it was the responsibility of the Jews in America to â€Å"†¦replace the treasures they have lost† (Potok 228). They now needed more rabbis and leaders to lead the Jews in replacing what they lost. If the Jews in America didn’t do anything about it, then the Jews would die as a people, and this was a really big reason why it was so important for Danny to become a rabbi. The Jewish people were all dying off, and someone had to do something. This was suffering both for the Jews who were actually in Europe and for the Jews who now had the responsibility to replace all the Jews they lost and keep Jewish tradition alive. This Jewish suffering was a very big issue in The Chosen , that really underlined the theme of suffering in the overall book. Reuvans father having heart attacks underlined the theme of suffering as well. His dad â€Å"†¦collapsed at a Jewish National Fund meeting and was rushed to the Brooklyn Memorial Hospital by ambulance. He hovered tenuously between life and death for three days†( Potok 287). Earlier in the story, Reuvan’s father had a heart attack, and during the time he was in the hospital, Reuvan stayed at Danny’s, but this time, he and Danny weren’t even aloud to talk to each other because of Reb Saunders. This was a time of suffering for Reuvan because his dad just had his second heart attack and was in a critical situation for three days. He was alone at home for weeks before his dad got better, and he studied Talmud and did his work all by himself, without his dad. I lived in a nightmare of hallucinatory dread, and if it hadn’t been for Manya constantly reminding me with gentle kindness that I had to eat or I would get sick, I might well have starved. Now, that’s how bad his situation was. Reuvan was lonely and he was hallucinating, and what could be worse? His dad got better though, but still, he went through a lot with not being able to talk to Danny about it, and staying home all alone all the time. His father’s heart attack was really hard on Reuvan, and he suffered and worked hard on the Talmud without his dad being there to help. The Chosen was a book which teaches people to love each other and share in each others suffering. The book also gives a good insight into the Hasidic traditions and culture. From reading this book, one can understand how strict and how traditional the Hassid were. They still wore dark clothes and had ear locks, and the son of a rabbi traditionally had to be the next rabbi. Most importantly, it showed how silence can be very painful, and how people are not thankful for what they have until they lose it. It showed how people suffered for each other. Now days not very many people are willing to carry the burdens of others, even if it is the burden of one’s friend. The Chosen hopefully inspires people to help others. The theme of suffering was of great significance in this book, and from reading it, a lot of good thingy can be gained. Research Papers on The Chosen - A Story Of SufferingPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyMind TravelQuebec and CanadaComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Honest Iagos Truth through DeceptionEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenWhere Wild and West MeetThe Masque of the Red Death Room meanings

The Damnable Life of Faust

The Damnable Life of Faust Free Online Research Papers Faustus the Speculator, the Doctor of Divinity; who was not content with himself or his life, and wanted more. He was an intelligent worldly man who had students that admired him. But Faustus was not content with his knowledge and focused on studying Necromancy, day and night. After studying charms, enchantment, soothsaying, and witchcraft he called himself an Astrologian and Mathematician. He became so obsessed with his new knowledge that he decided to conjure the Devil. Faustus seeks the devil because he wants more knowledge, wisdom and immortality. This pact would be his demise. How could he be so smart and not realize that he was dealing with the King of the dark side, who lives by deceit and deception. The night that Faustus decided to conjure the devil, turned out to be the beginning of the end. The Devil made himself known and accepted Faustus request. The Devil promised to give Faust wealth, knowledge, wisdom and immortality. In exchange for these wonderful things, the Devil wanted his body and soul, also for Faust to rebuke any Christian belief and anything that could influence him back. Faust was doubtful but the Devil was able to bully him into making the pact. In order to complete the pact, Faust had to finalize the pact by signing with his blood. Faust congeals and the blood won’t come out. This makes Faust doubt for a bit and wonder if this is a sign from God. He wonders if he should continue. But his greedy ambition driven desire and weak mind allows the Devil to distract him and bully him into signing. This is the first situation where I saw some contradictions because it was stated in the story that Faust did not believe that there was a God, Hell or Devil. The Devil gives Faust a server named Mephistopheles who will bring Faust anything he wants. This turns out to be the only good deed that the Devil gives to him. Everything else that Faust gets is temporary, false and full of deceit. As so is Fausts side of the bargain because from the beginning Fausts plan is to somehow gain so much knowledge that he will be able to outsmart the Devil and take over his place in hell, and undo his pact- saving his life. So from the beginning neither side planned to uphold the pact. Faust had no intention to really become one of the Devils sincere followers and the Devil had no intention to give Faust the powers he had asked for. Faust became lonely and wanted a companion. Faust lived with a man named Christopher Wagner and his invisible servant Mephistopheles. Faust asked Mephistopheles for a wife. But Mephistopheles warned him that he could not have a wife since marriage was a religious ceremony of God- and he could not serve two Gods. Faust persisted and this leads the Devil to send Faust a message. The Devil sends a strong wind through his house, it is so strong that it scares Faust and he prays to the Devil and shuns his desire to have a wife. So the Devil began to trick Faust into thinking that he was gaining knowledge and power by giving a book to help him gain more insight into becoming one with the Devil instead of one with God. Faust began to inquire about the Devil, earth, and hell. He asks Mephistopheles several questions like how did the Devil become a fallen angel? How was hell made? What is the meaning of the stars? Mephistopheles asks the Devil for permission to answer such questions, permission is granted only because the Devil wants Faust to feel like he is gaining knowledge. So the story goes that the Devil was once one of Gods best angels. But he wanted to be God not just an angel- just like Faust. God threw him from heaven and he became a fallen angel. Hell was made and he now holds the thrown to hell. Mephistopheles cannot answer his questions concerning the stars because only God knows of such things. Faust is warned to remember of his pact and that he is not supposed to seek knowledge of Christianity. One night Faust dreams of hell and when he awakes, he requests to see hell for himself. Mephistopheles carries Faust through the air and takes him to hell but since he is asleep when this happens he doesn’t get to see where hell really is. But this satisfies Faust. Faust is given a second book that helps him become a master of disguise; he is able to turn himself into a dragon, this also helps Faust have more faith in the Devil. Faust requests to see the whole world and the Devil complies; Faust is able to see everything around the world even the inside of buildings, he even recognizes several churches. During his world travels Faust is invited into homes and asked questions pertaining to astrology but he knows nothing of these things, only what he has known all along- so what knowledge has the Devil given him? Faust does not become more knowledgeable only more manipulative. For instance, when he trades his horse that turns into straw and when he borrows money from a Jew and o ffers him his leg instead when he is not able to pay him. The leg has no value to the Jew and throws it away, when he returns to ask for his money, Faust asks for the leg. The Jew doesn’t have the leg so Faust turns the tables and tells him that now he owes him. Faust is becoming manipulative and deceitful. In the end Faust is ripped into pieces by the Devil. He never repents only makes sure that he tells his students of what he has done and what he has learned. God is the only way and the only truth. The Devil took Fausts life in the midnight hour. His students find his body shortly after. In life we can all relate to Faustus, we’re never satisfied and want more. At one point Faust while lying in bed begins to talk to God, and for a moment almost repents. But his stubbornness and proudness forbids him to follow through. He tricks himself into thinking that it’s too late for God to forgive him because he has denied him already. I can relate to Faust in this sense because we are our own worst enemy. We stop ourselves from doing good and doing right because of our own insecurities. Research Papers on The Damnable Life of FaustCritical Analysis of HamletEmmett Till BiographyThe Gnostic JesusDistance Learning Survival GuideProbation OfficersLegalization of Same Sex MarriagesThe Broken FamilyStandardized TestingConflict Resolution TacticsGap Analysis: Lester Electronics

Biomes and Diversity Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Biomes and Diversity - Assignment Example This big shift with the invention of farm implements and tools enabled Man to vastly increase his food supplies, stabilize food sources, made food production a secure and predictable undertaking and this incidentally also allowed the arable land to support a much higher population density. Increased food availability made the entire human population grow exponentially. It has also put pressure on the other species of plants and animals, as there is a growing competition for the available food, space, and other requirements for life. Ever since Man burst unto the scene, so to speak, a good number of species had become extinct due mainly to Mans prolific activities. It is a dangerous development, as biodiversity is necessary for ensuring survival of the remaining species. There are strong ancestor-descendant links between various species and their biomes, so the main concerns should be both conservation (wise use) and preservation (leaving untouched). The past century saw the extinction of about 100 species of birds, mammals, and amphibians (Hassan & Scholes, 2005, p. 105) but this background (natural) extinction rate is expected to be 10,000 higher in the next two centuries if based on ancient fossil records, current trends, and computer modeling of extinction rates (M iller & Spoolman, 2011, p. 191). The loss in genetic diversity becomes a serious threat to Mankinds survival as well, because of the links that was mentioned earlier. There are still many undocumented species, in addition to those already well known, which can provide ecological, economic, and medicinal benefits to Man. People can help to slow down the extinction rate by avoiding environmental degradation, reducing their carbon footprint, minimize pollution, mitigate climate change, refrain from introducing invasive or harmful species to a biome, prevent over-exploitation of open common