The Chosen, Ch. 1 Study Questions

(Be sure to review the background on Chaim Potok)

1. Describe your impressions of the narrator.  How old is he?  Would he be your friend?
2. When and where does the story take place?
3. How do you imagine the neighborhood the narrator describes?
4. How do Danny & Reuven meet?  
5. Explain how World War II indirectly caused their meeting.
6. What is the contrast between the two teams? 
7. Describe the contrast between the two coaches?
8. Which team would you rather be on and why?
9. What is Danny Saunders like?
10. How does Reuven form his opinion of Danny?
11. What doesn't Reuven's father like about the Hasidic community?
12. Does he consider them to be intolerant?
13. Do you think Reuven and his father are intolerant of the Hasidic Jews?
14. Are you surprised to learn that there are different traditions among Jews -- and that there has been tension between Jews in different groups?
15. How does Danny react when Reuven catches the ball and gets Danny out?
16. How does Reuven feel as he pitches the balls to Danny?  Doe he pitch well?
17. How does Reuven's eye get hurt?  Could it have been prevented?
18. Do you think Danny did it deliberately? 
19. What would you do now if you were Danny -- or Reuven?
20. Make a prediction: How will Danny treat Reuven now?