Summary: Chapter 1
I stood in that room for a long time,
watching the sunlight and listening to the sounds on the street outside.
I stood there, tasting the room and the sunlight and the sounds,
and thinking of the long hospital war
(See Important Quotations Explained)
The narrator, Reuven Malter, describes the neighborhood
in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he has lived for the first fifteen
years of his life. Reuven’s neighborhood is populated by Orthodox
Jews, including some Hasidic sects. All the children attend yeshivas—Jewish
parochial schools—in the area. Reuven then mentions Danny Saunders,
a Hasidic friend. Danny and Reuven grew up five blocks away from
each other. However, Reuven explains, the two never met because
Danny’s Hasidic community kept to itself, remaining fiercely loyal
to its own synagogue and customs. Reuven notes that he probably
would never have met Danny if not for the competitive Jewish sports
leagues created during World War II.
One June afternoon, Reuven’s Orthodox Jewish high school softball
team plays a game against Danny’s Hasidic team. As Reuven’s team
warms up, his enthusiastic and martial coach, Mr. Galanter, shouts
out instructions and encouragements. Meanwhile, Reuven’s friend,
Davey Cantor, warns Reuven that their opponents, students at a very
religious yeshiva, are “murderers.” When the yeshiva boys arrive
dressed in their traditional religious garb, Reuven doubts that
they will pose a serious challenge.
The rabbi accompanying the yeshiva team insists that
his boys practice for five minutes on the field before the game
begins, and Mr. Galanter reluctantly agrees. Reuven notices one
particularly strong batter on the yeshiva team, whom Davey identifies
as Danny Saunders, the son of Reb Saunders.
Just before the game begins, the rabbi and
coach of Danny’s team tells his boys to “remember why and for whom
we play.” The Hasidic team bats first, and Reuven takes his position
at second base. After the first two hitters are retired, the third,
a bullish boy named Dov Shlomowitz, smacks a line drive. On his
way around the base path, Dov charges into Reuven, knocking him down.
Danny Saunders bats next, and hits the ball directly at the pitcher’s
head, forcing the pitcher to dive off the mound. Danny makes it
safely to second base, and between batters, Reuven congratulates
Danny on his hit. Danny identifies Reuven as the son of David Malter,
who writes articles on the Talmud. He tells Reuven, “We’re going
to kill you apikorsim this afternoon.” Reuven, struck by Danny’s
rudeness, sarcastically tells him to rub his tzitzit—traditional
fringe—for good luck.
The next time Danny is up at bat, he again smacks the
ball over the pitcher’s head, but Reuven makes a remarkable leaping
catch. By the top half of the fifth and final inning, Reuven’s team
is leading five to three. Reuven takes over as pitcher and baffles
the first hitter he faces, Dov Shlomowitz, with his wicked curveball.
Danny bats next and rings up two strikes as Reuven’s curve dives
below Danny’s swing. Reuven then pitches two balls, but by Reuven’s
fifth pitch, Danny adjusts to the diving action of the curve. He
deliberately swings low and crushes a line drive back toward the
mound. Reuven brings his glove to his face to catch the ball, but
it hits the tip of his glove and bounces back onto his glasses,
shattering them. While lying on the ground, Reuven imagines he sees
Danny smiling at the injury. Reuven sits out for the rest of the
game and watches his team lose eight to seven. After the game, Mr.
Galanter calls a cab to take him to the hospital.
Analysis: Chapter 1
Potok focuses on a handful of motifs and themes
in The Chosen, carefully weaving them throughout
the entire novel. The world of the novel is a carefully controlled,
patiently manipulative, and exclusive environment, much like the
Jewish communities of Williamsburg in which Danny and Reuven grow
up. Both the novel and Williamsburg communities operate as self-contained environments,
within which Potok carefully selects and highlights particular details.
