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Conflicts in The Chosen
to the intellectual study of psychology which he realizes is not congruent with his Hasidic religious views because it emphasizes a non-religious view of human nature. He realizes that he faces a decision of deeply disappointing his father by not following in his footsteps of living a life devoted strictly to the Hasidic traditions or foregoing that which his heart desires. Although very intelligent, Danny has never been to a movie or a museum, but he secretly goes to the library every day, and reads secular books. Danny becomes increasingly torn between honoring his father and his religious upbringing and his intellectual hunger. Even when Danny was still very young, Reb Saunders realized that in his boy the dazzling intellect was growing into a dominant force. “I cried inside my heart. I went away and cried to the Master of the Universe, 'What have you done to me? A mind like this I need for a son? A heart I need for a son, a soul I need for a son, compassion I want from my son, righteousness, mercy, strength to suffer and carry pain, that I want from my son, not a mind without a soul" (Potok 195)!
Despite what can seem like insurmountable differences in The Chosen, everyone has similarities as well. There is good in everyone and two people are bound to share some common views. By dwelling on the similarities and respecting the fact that everyone doesn’t see eye to eye on every single issue, it can be possible for individuals to cohabitate peacefully and sometimes even enjoy sharing attributes of their differences. For, in sharing these differences, diverse citizens learn about perspectives beyond their own and can experience growth. While some people remain more narrow-minded than others, they may refuse to accept a lifestyle or a belief. But, they may begin, little by little, to consider tolerating the differences. Like it or not, the world is full of many different people and no matter who the group of people, or what past experiences they may share, there will always be conflicts because no two people are alike.