The Chosen: Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Reuven returns to school where everyone thinks he is a hero because of the softball game. The game feels very far away to Reuven. He goes to see Danny at the library after school and finds him reading in the back of the third floor, where Reuven has never been before.

Danny is reading remarkably quickly and doesn’t notice Reuven at first. Because Reuven can’t read yet with his injured eye he closes his eyes and thinks about mathematical logic. Danny comes over and tells him he has been reading Graetz’s History of the Jews. He is disturbed that Graetz writes that Hasidic tzaddics became greedy, “vulgar and disgusting.” Reuven tells Danny that he should speak with Mr. Malter about it before he takes the history too seriously.

Danny starts speaking about the concept of the unconscious, which he has been reading about in philosophy books. Danny is fascinated by the idea that people have an unknown inner self. Danny has been teaching himself German so he can read Freud to learn more about these concepts.

As they are leaving the library Danny looks around to make sure that no one he knows has seen him there. When Reuven gets home he tells his father that Danny has been studying German in order to read Freud. Mr. Malter is surprised but says that there will be no way to stop Danny. Reuven asks about Graetz’s history of the Jews and Mr. Malter says that Graetz was biased and exaggerated their faults.

Mr. Malter feels guilty that he has been telling Danny what to read behind Reb Saunders’s back. But he believes that Danny would have continued to read on his own anyway, and it is good to have direction from an adult. Mr. Malter says that Reb Saunders will find out one day and it will be a difficult situation.

Reuven goes over to Danny’s house of Shabbat to study the Talmud with Reb Saunders. Reuven meets Danny’s kind mother and his pretty sister. Reb Saunders tells Reuven that he now knows that he is a good mathematician and now they will see about “more important things.”

This discussion is different from what happened in front of the congregation – now Danny and his father are truly battling. They speak quickly and passionately and Reuven sits and listens. Although he is overwhelmed at first, Reuven comes to realize that Danny may beat him on breadth of knowledge but that he is Danny's equal in depth.

Now Reuven feels he can contribute. He enters the “field of combat,” making a point in support of Danny. The Saunders seem unsurprised that he is finally contributing.

The argument comes to an end and Reb Saunders sends Danny to get some tea. Reb Saunders tells Reuven that he has “a good head.” He then says that he knows that Danny has been going to the library and reading secular books. He says that his son is his “most precious possession” and he wants to know what he is reading but cannot ask him. Reuven is nervous but tells Reb Saunders everything that Danny is reading, and that Mr. Malter has been suggesting books. He leaves out the fact that Danny has been learning German to read Freud. Reb Saunders laments that his son is so brilliant.

Danny comes back and the three continue to discuss the Torah. As they are walking home Reuven tells Danny about what happened and, to Reuven’s surprise, Danny is relieved. Danny tells Reuven that his father as brought him up in silence. They only speak when they are studying the Torah. Reuven tells Danny that he should try talking to his father and Danny insists that he can’t.

Reuven tells his father about everything that happened, including the Saunders family silent treatment. Mr. Malter tells Reuven that he has heard about this before but won't say anything more. Mr. Malter tells Reuven that Reb Saunders has talked to Danny through Reuven. He says that Reuven is in a difficult position.