Character Analysis: The Chosen

Words: 667
Pages: 3

A Cancer that Devours

In the midst of difficult times, kindness is often forgotten, leaving one with a bitter, unappreciative temperament. However, the ability to overcome resentment and anger with pleasant attitude can open many doors to one’s future. In The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, the ability to overcome bitter feelings is demonstrated by Billy, Reuven, and Mr. Savo. Each of these characters is presented with difficult times, and they overcome them with their kindness and compassion. Having such an attitude allows the characters to mature, as well as influence their friends for the better. Because of their attitudes, Billy, Reuven, and Mr. Savo conquer their feelings of resentment, allowing them to mature and grow. Billy, a young boy who stays next to Reuven in the hospital, suffers from eye injuries he received in a car accident. Both Billy and his father hope that by going through surgery Billy might recover his vision. Even after the tragic accident, Billy adopts a kind attitude, one that would not necessarily reflect someone who had gone through such a trauma. “He laughed with sudden delight. ‘You’re a nice person,’ he said warmly, ‘Nice like Mr. Savo.’ ”
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Mr. Savo, a boxer, received an eye injury during one of his fights. After many attempts at saving the eye, Mr. Savo’s eye is removed, making it impossible for him to ever return to boxing. “The eye’s out, kid. They had to take it out.” (90) While Mr. Savo could have complained about the loss of his eye, he realized that there where many other patients suffering from injuries that were even worse than his. Instead of making the ambiance of the hospital disagreeable, he chose to keep his feelings of anger to himself, helping to keep the hospital a welcoming place. Even though the injury caused Mr. Savo great anguish, he didn’t let it affect those around him or himself, he chose to have a pleasant