Quote 2 particular lines or passages from within Chap 2-4: one that feels imp’t to the text and one that feels imp’t to you, and explain why they feel imp’t. End your post w/ a question. (Note page #s.) Also, reply to at least one student's post.
“‘Reuven, if you can, make Danny Saunders your friend.’” (p 74).
I feel like this quote and section of the book is a major turning point for the story so far. We started the book with a baseball game that left the two boys hating each other. Their hatred emerged after some violence and from what was said, but it mainly came from the difference in their religious beliefs. This difference does not fade away which we can see even after Danny goes and visits Reuven the first time. It was not until the second visit that Danny and Reuven were finally able to talk to each other. The only reason they really could then was because Reuven’s father told him that he needed to apologize for the way he acted the previous time. Even though the air was clearer after the visit and the two boys were getting along, I still felt that there was some tension because of their religion. I think that Danny was more accepting of their differences, but Reuven was not. After Reuven’s father told him that they should become friends, Reuven asks: “‘Even though he’s a Hasid?’” (p 75), However, after Reuven’s father said this, I feel like Reuven was able to accept and look past their differences. Because of this, Reuven and Danny’s entire relationship is changing and I think this will have a very big and important impact on the rest of the book.
“‘I appreciate that very much,’ he said. ‘Billy wonders if you would call us when he gets out of the hospital.’” (p 64).
This moment does not really seem all that important to the story, but for some reason the moment just stood out to me and seemed really important. At this part of the book, Reuven is meeting Billy’s father who is thanking him for being so kind to Billy. His dad then request that they will stay in contact later on. Reuven agrees to call them once Billy is out of the hospital which both Billy and his father are excited to here. My guess is that this little connection will not be all that important to the story later on, but for some reason I found it important. I think it was because I did not want Billy’s role in the story to end and I wanted to keep hearing about him. He seems like such a nice kid. During Reuven’s time in the hospital, Billy was there and was willing to be a friend to him. He helped Reuven get through his hard time even though he had a terrible situation as well. Billy also helped Reuven release how easily things such as sight can be taken for granted. It helped Reuven appreciated these things more.
This book so far has showed the development and change of Reuven’s perspective on life. My question would be: Are these changes going to cause him to live a completely different life than before?
I also thought that the conversation with Billy and his father was moving. The way Billy's father was so appreciative to Reuven just for being nice to Billy makes me wonder if Billy was attacked or bullied before he went blind, and that is why they are both so unaccustomed to people being kind, just for the sake of being kind. I hope this storyline continues, and that we will see Billy and his father again, or we find out what happened after the surgery, because I would like to find out how he went blind, and whether or not he will have to live the rest of his life blind and in the hospital.
I think his perspective on life will change his life overall. I don't think that he'll live a completely different life, but I think he will start standing up for himself and begin to do the things that he wants to do. Also, I really like your first quote. I definitely agree, I think it's also a major turning point in the book.
I agree with what you had to say about Billy being an important part of the book, though maybe not to the plot, but to how we see the character of Reuven. I think his interactions with Billy and Mr. Savo really set the stage to show what kind of person he is. I also wonder not only about Billy’s past as Raphie mentioned, but about his future (which I hope to hear more about!) Will Reuven ever really call him? Does the surgery work? Will Billy remain in the book throughout the section, or was he only here at the hospital, and becomes a minor, or maybe never even mentioned character later on?
"'It's funny,' he said. 'It's really funny. I have to be a rabbi and don't want to be one. You don't have to be a rabbi and do want to be one. It's a crazy world.'" (p 82).
I have a feeling this will be very important to the story in the future. Since they are already from different worlds it seems, saying this might be very scandalous. I hope that they might both get to be what they want to be when they grow up, and be able to tell their fathers the truth about themselves. It also seems that this particular concern will be played out throughout the story, and might be resolved by the end.
"'The eye's out, kid. They had to take it out. It was some clop. Didn't want the little blind kid to know, so kept it quiet.'" (p 90).
This was very striking to me. I doubt this will recur at another point in the book, but to me it showed the kindness in people's hearts. Even though Mr. Savo's problem was huge, and he no longer had an eye, he still knew that Billy had a worse situation, and he didn't want to take away from that. This, to me, showed the opposite of what Danny was talking about when he talked about the cruelty of humans. Danny, after reading Hemingway's passage about the men killing the ants, decided that humans were destined to be cruel. This quote from Mr. Savo, though, showed Reuven, and me, that there are still people who are not selfish and barbaric.
The hospital seems to have changed Reuven, and his thoughts on life. I think, from this point forward, he is going to take more risks, living life to the fullest. He knows now that everything is so fragile, and he does not want to end up in the same situation, but with a different ending. I wonder if this will change his relationship with Danny and his father? Will he stop taking orders from his father so much, and start doing only what he thinks he wants to be doing?
Raphie, I agree with you completely about Reuven and Danny's conversation about their fates. I feel like this will come up later, especially because of their two contrasting backgrounds. It seems almost impossible that these two boys could finally end up as friends because they come from such different families.
I also agree with your section on Mr. Savo. Although Mr. Savo doesn't seem to be quite with it, he possesses a great amount of wisdom, which he doesn't mind sharing with Reuven and Billy. Mr. Savo's life has just come crashing to a halt, and he shares his knowledge with the Billy and Reuven, who could use some comforting advice from an older person.
In regards to what you said about Mr. Savo, Raph, I, too thought there was something very generous and kind about him. He genuinely seems to enjoy kids and wants to keep the "hard stuff" from them. He reminds me of "a catcher in the rye." (This last comment will make sense later.)
A quote that I found important to the text was, "People are not always what they seem to be....that is the way the world is, Reuven." (pg. 74). When I began to read this book I had different perspectives about some of the characters, like Danny. As the story progresses my feelings towards some of the characters has changed. I feel like this quote will show that the opinion that Reuven had about Danny during the game will change a lot throughout the book.
A quote that felt important to me was, "I had never thought what it might be like to be blind." (53). I chose this quote because I have also never thought of this. I have extremely bad eyesight, but not blindness. I just can't imagine losing that ability to see. This question is a bit unrelated to my quotes, but do you think that WWII will play a big role in the book?
My perspective of the characters has definitely changed further into the book as well. My opinion of Danny has definitely been the one to change the most. At first I pictured him being this large, cold-blooded kid. Now that we have met him and learned about his life, this thought has changed to the point where Danny might even be my favorite character.
I also really like the quote about him wondering what it would be like to be blind. I think that it really reflects how much the hospital and the people he has met have changed his prospective on life. Before coming to the hospital he took all of these things for granted. But now that he has met and witnessed people who do not have these things in their life, he is becoming more thankful.
I also wonder about the role of the war and how it is going to effect the lives of Danny and Reuven.
I really like first quote a lot. It can be used in real life very easily as well as in the book. In the book my perspective of Danny has changed a lot. In the beginning of the book I really disliked him. He seemed like a rude, angry, and mean person. He actually seemed scary when he grinned at Reuven while batting. Later, after he came to visit Reuven in the hospital, he seemed like a different person. At one point in the book Reuven says how Danny seems like two different people and I agree with that.
I have thought a lot about becoming blind. It is one of my biggest fears. Eyes freak me out, well the thought of anything happening to them does. I think that because Reuven never thought about becoming blind, or people who were blind, such as Billy, it forces him to think about the world a little more.
I really like first quote a lot. It can be used in real life very easily as well as in the book. In the book my perspective of Danny has changed a lot. In the beginning of the book I really disliked him. He seemed like a rude, angry, and mean person. He actually seemed scary when he grinned at Reuven while batting. Later, after he came to visit Reuven in the hospital, he seemed like a different person. At one point in the book Reuven says how Danny seems like two different people and I agree with that.
I have thought a lot about becoming blind. It is one of my biggest fears. Eyes freak me out, well the thought of anything happening to them does. I think that because Reuven never thought about becoming blind, or people who were blind, such as Billy, it forces him to think about the world a little more.
I think this was definitely an important quote and also one that we can learn from. People are rarely who we perceive them to be. Just like Reuven I thought that Danny was an aggressive, unfeeling bully. But as the book progressed, I got to know Danny better and my view changed. I don't think Reuven was seeing Danny for who he really was. Reuven was only focused on seeing Danny as a bad person based on his actions from the baseball game. This assumption made it difficult for him to see Danny as who he really is. Reuven's father is trying to tell him that people aren't who we think they are and that he needs to get to know Danny better before deciding what kind of person he is. This was definitely an important part of Reuven forgiving Danny.
I think it's very true people are not what they seem the characters are already changing in how I see them and we are not very far into the book yet. I also think the war will play a big part because they keep mentioning it. Just in the first chapter during the game they kept making references and using war terms. I especially think the war will play a big part because they are Jewish and that seems like it's going to be a big part of the book.
"'I sort of convinced my father you were the best team around and that we had a duty to beat you apikorsim at what you were best at.'" (p. 71).
This line was said by Danny in response to Reuven asking why Danny made his team shout insults at his own. Danny's father obviously was not accepting of Danny's request to form a baseball team. Hasidic customs apparently only allow for strict religious practices, and Danny's father probably felt it a huge privilege to allow his son to play a sport. By Danny saying that his team would settle religious disputes by crushing the apikorsim, he tricked his father into thinking that while the boys were actually playing for fun, they would instead be representing the Hasidim, doing their religious bidding. However, this role became a reality for Danny's entire team, as they became ferocious during that fateful baseball game. This line also shows that Danny is just a kid, and conflicts between these religious groups can't hold on forever. Danny knows how deep the divides are between these two groups of jewish people, but he comes to realize that he doesn't want differences to keep him from befriending Reuven.
"'You never told me you met Danny in the library! You never told me you were giving him books to read!'" (p. 84).
This line was said by Reuven when he learned that his father and Danny had been meeting each other in the library for a long time. Though Reuven's father knew who Danny was almost the entire time, Danny had no idea who was helping him find books, until one day when Reuven's father came to visit him in the hospital. I found it kind of surprising that Reuven's father never said anything to Reuven, especially since Danny almost blinded him with a baseball. However, Reuven's father said that it wasn't his story to tell, because there wasn't anything significant about them meeting in the library. I think this shows how little Reuven's father also cares about the religious divides between apikorsim and Hasidim, because he doesn't resist helping Danny everyday. He also might not have shared though, because he knew that if Danny's father got wind of what Danny was doing everyday, he might punish him and not let him reuturn to the library. Danny is supposed to spend the majority of his time studying Talmud, and if his father found out that he was reading Hemingway every afternoon, he would go ballistic.
I thought your first quote was a vey interesting part. I like how we get to know Danny a little better. I started to like him more, because I realized that he is trapped by his father, and that is an easy situation to relate to. In your second quote, I was also very surprised that his father did not say anything when Reuven mentioned Danny came to the hospital. Then I realized that when Reuven mentioned that it was Danny who hit him and that it was on purpose, his father was skeptical that Danny did it on purpose. Reuven's father also later tried to convince Reuven to be Danny's friend. I wonder why he is so adamant about this. Is it because he thinks Danny needs a friend? Or because Danny will be a good influence on Reuven?
Interesting post, Noah. It was surprising that Reuven's dad was supplying Danny with books, right? If you had to ask a question at the end of your comment (which is what the post asked), what would your question be?
“Reuven, listen to me. The Talmud says that a person should do two things for himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you remember the other?” “Choose a friend,” I said. “Yes. Do you know what a friend is, Reuven? A Greek philosopher said that two people who are true friends are like two bodies with one soul.” I nodded. (p 74)
I love this passage. It is such good advice from Reuven’s father. I don’t think Reuven understands what his father is saying however but I do. I have friends who I have known for years and who feel like we have the same soul. I understand the connection of true friendship. Will Reuven and Danny understand the connection of true friendship?
“What do you want to become a rabbi for?” “Why not?” “There are so many other things you could be.” “That’s a funny way for you to talk. You’re going to become a rabbi.” “I have no choice. It’s an inherited position.” “You mean you wouldn’t become a rabbi if you had a choice?” (p 69)
In this passage Reuven and Danny are having a conversation about what they will become. Reuven learns that Danny has to take his father’s place as rabbi, even though Danny doesn’t want to. I think that this passage is important to the text. It is foretelling of what will happen in the book. In this passage I feel that Danny is more grown up because his life is already planned, but he feels as if he has no way out of it. I think that Reuven will get Danny to dream more. He asks “You mean you wouldn’t become a rabbi if you had a choice?”, forcing Danny to express himself more. I think that this expression of true self will continue to be important throughout the book. I wonder if we will learn if Danny actually takes his father’s position as rabbi?
1. A line that I thought was very important for the plotline of the book was “‘ I must be the Messiah. No mere Hasid would get a greeting like that from an apikoros.’” (p.78) I think this is definitely a turning point for their relationship. Not only has Reuven forgiven Danny, he is truly looking forward to the time he can spend with him. I think it also shows that though they have began a friendship all has not changed, there still are borders between their religious sects. Though Reuven is looking forward to seeing him, Danny is surprised, not because he is the one who put him here in the hospital, but because there is still a line drawn between them, “Hasid/Apikoros.” Though they can have a friendship currently, they cannot (yet) forget that they are from two different worlds who often hate each other. Question: I wonder if this distinction will disappear at some point throughout the book and they will see each other just as equal and normal people/friends, and not have their religion be their defining factor.
2. A passage that was important to me was on page 54: “I know if I open my right eye I’ll see. When you’re blind it makes no difference whether you open your eyes or not. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to know that no matter whether my eyes were open or closed it made no difference, everything was still dark.” I think this passage was not only important for me in seeing and experiencing how Reuven thought, but also making me think to myself, and appreciate how lucky I am.
3. Also though it does not relate to the post prompt, I would like to mention that I really liked the imagery on page 40, with his descriptions of colors as he went through the hospital, especially how rather than saying “My eye was so messed up I thought the light was changing colors” instead there was dialogue that made us infer that.
I thought your point about blindness is well taken. Of all the senses or abilities I could lose, losing my sight is probably my greatest fear. It's kind of bizarre to think in these terms, but it does, as you point out, remind one to appreciate how lucky one is.
"'Hello,' Danny Saunders said softly. ''I'm sorry if I woke you. The nurse told me it was alright to wait here.' I looked at him in amazement. He was the last person in the world I had expected to visit me in the hospital" (pg. 61). This is when Danny comes to the hospital to talk to Reuven. It's also the first time they talk since the game. I think this is a very important part of the book because it is a turning point for both Danny and Reuven. We can see that Danny is sorry for what he did because he's doing the right thing by going to the hospital to apologize and talk to Reuven about what happened. Even though Reuven doesn't change his mind right away, what happens in this part causes him to think about everything to the point where he decides to forgive Danny next time he comes to the hospital.
"'No one knows he is fortunate until he becomes unfortunate,' my father said quietly. 'That is the way the world is" (pg. 73). Reuvens father says this just after Reuven talks about envying everyone that was walking outside and wasn't stuck in the hospital. This passage really stuck out to me. People don't understand how lucky they really are when there are other people in the world who are starving and don't have clean water. Will we see a change in other characters and will Reuven call BIlly?
I think one important quote from the book was when Danny and Reuven meet for the first time."'Hello,' Danny Saunders said softly. 'I'm sorry if I woke you. The nurse told me it was alright to wait here (62).'" This was important for obvious reasons, considering it was the first time that Danny and Reuven actually talk, but I also liked this because I realized that they were going to be friends, and the beginning of the book made more sense. Another quote I thought was important was when Reuven is realizing how lucky he has been. " I had always taken [my eyes] for granted, the way I took for granted the rest of my body and also my mind (53)." This concept is really important, and it is very hard to be appreciative of our health until we get sick. Reuven getting hit reminded me to be thankful for what I have. Even though he could have ducked and saved himself, it is still important to be thankful for your health. I wonder, why does it always takes injury to realize how lucky you are?
The quote that I think is important to the text is “‘Reuven, if you can, make Danny Saunders your friend.’” (p 74). This quote is so important because it can be the start to their friendship. At the end of the first chapter Reuven first met Danny and ended up immediately hating him. I think he was just jealous of how good Danny was at baseball. It seems like baseball is a big part of Reuven's life. His dad even kept calling him his baseball player. It's human nature to be jealous of somebody when they are better than you at the thing you love. It also had a lot to do with the difference in their religions, but maybe by his father telling him to make Danny his friend they can get past everything.
The quote that was important to me was "I had never thought what it might be like to be blind." (53). In chemistry the other day Mr. Connolly asked us what sight is the most important to us almost every single person said sight. I think sight is so important to us is because without it we would feel so alone we would just have to live in darkness and that's kind of a scary thought. What is the most important sense to you?
“‘Reuven, if you can, make Danny Saunders your friend.’” (p 74).
ReplyDeleteI feel like this quote and section of the book is a major turning point for the story so far. We started the book with a baseball game that left the two boys hating each other. Their hatred emerged after some violence and from what was said, but it mainly came from the difference in their religious beliefs. This difference does not fade away which we can see even after Danny goes and visits Reuven the first time. It was not until the second visit that Danny and Reuven were finally able to talk to each other. The only reason they really could then was because Reuven’s father told him that he needed to apologize for the way he acted the previous time. Even though the air was clearer after the visit and the two boys were getting along, I still felt that there was some tension because of their religion. I think that Danny was more accepting of their differences, but Reuven was not. After Reuven’s father told him that they should become friends, Reuven asks: “‘Even though he’s a Hasid?’” (p 75), However, after Reuven’s father said this, I feel like Reuven was able to accept and look past their differences. Because of this, Reuven and Danny’s entire relationship is changing and I think this will have a very big and important impact on the rest of the book.
“‘I appreciate that very much,’ he said. ‘Billy wonders if you would call us when he gets out of the hospital.’” (p 64).
This moment does not really seem all that important to the story, but for some reason the moment just stood out to me and seemed really important. At this part of the book, Reuven is meeting Billy’s father who is thanking him for being so kind to Billy. His dad then request that they will stay in contact later on. Reuven agrees to call them once Billy is out of the hospital which both Billy and his father are excited to here. My guess is that this little connection will not be all that important to the story later on, but for some reason I found it important. I think it was because I did not want Billy’s role in the story to end and I wanted to keep hearing about him. He seems like such a nice kid. During Reuven’s time in the hospital, Billy was there and was willing to be a friend to him. He helped Reuven get through his hard time even though he had a terrible situation as well. Billy also helped Reuven release how easily things such as sight can be taken for granted. It helped Reuven appreciated these things more.
This book so far has showed the development and change of Reuven’s perspective on life. My question would be: Are these changes going to cause him to live a completely different life than before?
I also thought that the conversation with Billy and his father was moving. The way Billy's father was so appreciative to Reuven just for being nice to Billy makes me wonder if Billy was attacked or bullied before he went blind, and that is why they are both so unaccustomed to people being kind, just for the sake of being kind. I hope this storyline continues, and that we will see Billy and his father again, or we find out what happened after the surgery, because I would like to find out how he went blind, and whether or not he will have to live the rest of his life blind and in the hospital.
DeleteI think his perspective on life will change his life overall. I don't think that he'll live a completely different life, but I think he will start standing up for himself and begin to do the things that he wants to do. Also, I really like your first quote. I definitely agree, I think it's also a major turning point in the book.
DeleteI agree with what you had to say about Billy being an important part of the book, though maybe not to the plot, but to how we see the character of Reuven. I think his interactions with Billy and Mr. Savo really set the stage to show what kind of person he is. I also wonder not only about Billy’s past as Raphie mentioned, but about his future (which I hope to hear more about!) Will Reuven ever really call him? Does the surgery work? Will Billy remain in the book throughout the section, or was he only here at the hospital, and becomes a minor, or maybe never even mentioned character later on?
DeleteI liked your comment about Billy. I, too, am curious about him and really want to see him later in the story. I wonder what role he will play?
Delete"'It's funny,' he said. 'It's really funny. I have to be a rabbi and don't want to be one. You don't have to be a rabbi and do want to be one. It's a crazy world.'" (p 82).
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling this will be very important to the story in the future. Since they are already from different worlds it seems, saying this might be very scandalous. I hope that they might both get to be what they want to be when they grow up, and be able to tell their fathers the truth about themselves. It also seems that this particular concern will be played out throughout the story, and might be resolved by the end.
"'The eye's out, kid. They had to take it out. It was some clop. Didn't want the little blind kid to know, so kept it quiet.'" (p 90).
This was very striking to me. I doubt this will recur at another point in the book, but to me it showed the kindness in people's hearts. Even though Mr. Savo's problem was huge, and he no longer had an eye, he still knew that Billy had a worse situation, and he didn't want to take away from that. This, to me, showed the opposite of what Danny was talking about when he talked about the cruelty of humans. Danny, after reading Hemingway's passage about the men killing the ants, decided that humans were destined to be cruel. This quote from Mr. Savo, though, showed Reuven, and me, that there are still people who are not selfish and barbaric.
The hospital seems to have changed Reuven, and his thoughts on life. I think, from this point forward, he is going to take more risks, living life to the fullest. He knows now that everything is so fragile, and he does not want to end up in the same situation, but with a different ending. I wonder if this will change his relationship with Danny and his father? Will he stop taking orders from his father so much, and start doing only what he thinks he wants to be doing?
Raphie, I agree with you completely about Reuven and Danny's conversation about their fates. I feel like this will come up later, especially because of their two contrasting backgrounds. It seems almost impossible that these two boys could finally end up as friends because they come from such different families.
DeleteI also agree with your section on Mr. Savo. Although Mr. Savo doesn't seem to be quite with it, he possesses a great amount of wisdom, which he doesn't mind sharing with Reuven and Billy. Mr. Savo's life has just come crashing to a halt, and he shares his knowledge with the Billy and Reuven, who could use some comforting advice from an older person.
In regards to what you said about Mr. Savo, Raph, I, too thought there was something very generous and kind about him. He genuinely seems to enjoy kids and wants to keep the "hard stuff" from them. He reminds me of "a catcher in the rye." (This last comment will make sense later.)
DeleteA quote that I found important to the text was, "People are not always what they seem to be....that is the way the world is, Reuven." (pg. 74). When I began to read this book I had different perspectives about some of the characters, like Danny. As the story progresses my feelings towards some of the characters has changed. I feel like this quote will show that the opinion that Reuven had about Danny during the game will change a lot throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteA quote that felt important to me was, "I had never thought what it might be like to be blind." (53). I chose this quote because I have also never thought of this. I have extremely bad eyesight, but not blindness. I just can't imagine losing that ability to see. This question is a bit unrelated to my quotes, but do you think that WWII will play a big role in the book?
My perspective of the characters has definitely changed further into the book as well. My opinion of Danny has definitely been the one to change the most. At first I pictured him being this large, cold-blooded kid. Now that we have met him and learned about his life, this thought has changed to the point where Danny might even be my favorite character.
DeleteI also really like the quote about him wondering what it would be like to be blind. I think that it really reflects how much the hospital and the people he has met have changed his prospective on life. Before coming to the hospital he took all of these things for granted. But now that he has met and witnessed people who do not have these things in their life, he is becoming more thankful.
I also wonder about the role of the war and how it is going to effect the lives of Danny and Reuven.
I really like first quote a lot. It can be used in real life very easily as well as in the book. In the book my perspective of Danny has changed a lot. In the beginning of the book I really disliked him. He seemed like a rude, angry, and mean person. He actually seemed scary when he grinned at Reuven while batting. Later, after he came to visit Reuven in the hospital, he seemed like a different person. At one point in the book Reuven says how Danny seems like two different people and I agree with that.
DeleteI have thought a lot about becoming blind. It is one of my biggest fears. Eyes freak me out, well the thought of anything happening to them does. I think that because Reuven never thought about becoming blind, or people who were blind, such as Billy, it forces him to think about the world a little more.
I really like first quote a lot. It can be used in real life very easily as well as in the book. In the book my perspective of Danny has changed a lot. In the beginning of the book I really disliked him. He seemed like a rude, angry, and mean person. He actually seemed scary when he grinned at Reuven while batting. Later, after he came to visit Reuven in the hospital, he seemed like a different person. At one point in the book Reuven says how Danny seems like two different people and I agree with that.
DeleteI have thought a lot about becoming blind. It is one of my biggest fears. Eyes freak me out, well the thought of anything happening to them does. I think that because Reuven never thought about becoming blind, or people who were blind, such as Billy, it forces him to think about the world a little more.
I think this was definitely an important quote and also one that we can learn from. People are rarely who we perceive them to be. Just like Reuven I thought that Danny was an aggressive, unfeeling bully. But as the book progressed, I got to know Danny better and my view changed. I don't think Reuven was seeing Danny for who he really was. Reuven was only focused on seeing Danny as a bad person based on his actions from the baseball game. This assumption made it difficult for him to see Danny as who he really is. Reuven's father is trying to tell him that people aren't who we think they are and that he needs to get to know Danny better before deciding what kind of person he is. This was definitely an important part of Reuven forgiving Danny.
DeleteI think it's very true people are not what they seem the characters are already changing in how I see them and we are not very far into the book yet. I also think the war will play a big part because they keep mentioning it. Just in the first chapter during the game they kept making references and using war terms. I especially think the war will play a big part because they are Jewish and that seems like it's going to be a big part of the book.
Delete"'I sort of convinced my father you were the best team around and that we had a duty to beat you apikorsim at what you were best at.'" (p. 71).
ReplyDeleteThis line was said by Danny in response to Reuven asking why Danny made his team shout insults at his own. Danny's father obviously was not accepting of Danny's request to form a baseball team. Hasidic customs apparently only allow for strict religious practices, and Danny's father probably felt it a huge privilege to allow his son to play a sport. By Danny saying that his team would settle religious disputes by crushing the apikorsim, he tricked his father into thinking that while the boys were actually playing for fun, they would instead be representing the Hasidim, doing their religious bidding. However, this role became a reality for Danny's entire team, as they became ferocious during that fateful baseball game. This line also shows that Danny is just a kid, and conflicts between these religious groups can't hold on forever. Danny knows how deep the divides are between these two groups of jewish people, but he comes to realize that he doesn't want differences to keep him from befriending Reuven.
"'You never told me you met Danny in the library! You never told me you were giving him books to read!'" (p. 84).
This line was said by Reuven when he learned that his father and Danny had been meeting each other in the library for a long time. Though Reuven's father knew who Danny was almost the entire time, Danny had no idea who was helping him find books, until one day when Reuven's father came to visit him in the hospital. I found it kind of surprising that Reuven's father never said anything to Reuven, especially since Danny almost blinded him with a baseball. However, Reuven's father said that it wasn't his story to tell, because there wasn't anything significant about them meeting in the library. I think this shows how little Reuven's father also cares about the religious divides between apikorsim and Hasidim, because he doesn't resist helping Danny everyday. He also might not have shared though, because he knew that if Danny's father got wind of what Danny was doing everyday, he might punish him and not let him reuturn to the library. Danny is supposed to spend the majority of his time studying Talmud, and if his father found out that he was reading Hemingway every afternoon, he would go ballistic.
Why do some people hold on to conflicts forever, while others are simply able to let them go without a second thought?
DeleteI thought your first quote was a vey interesting part. I like how we get to know Danny a little better. I started to like him more, because I realized that he is trapped by his father, and that is an easy situation to relate to.
DeleteIn your second quote, I was also very surprised that his father did not say anything when Reuven mentioned Danny came to the hospital. Then I realized that when Reuven mentioned that it was Danny who hit him and that it was on purpose, his father was skeptical that Danny did it on purpose. Reuven's father also later tried to convince Reuven to be Danny's friend. I wonder why he is so adamant about this. Is it because he thinks Danny needs a friend? Or because Danny will be a good influence on Reuven?
Interesting post, Noah. It was surprising that Reuven's dad was supplying Danny with books, right? If you had to ask a question at the end of your comment (which is what the post asked), what would your question be?
Delete“Reuven, listen to me. The Talmud says that a person should do two things for himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you remember the other?”
ReplyDelete“Choose a friend,” I said.
“Yes. Do you know what a friend is, Reuven? A Greek philosopher said that two people who are true friends are like two bodies with one soul.”
I nodded. (p 74)
I love this passage. It is such good advice from Reuven’s father. I don’t think Reuven understands what his father is saying however but I do. I have friends who I have known for years and who feel like we have the same soul. I understand the connection of true friendship.
Will Reuven and Danny understand the connection of true friendship?
“What do you want to become a rabbi for?”
“Why not?”
“There are so many other things you could be.”
“That’s a funny way for you to talk. You’re going to become a rabbi.”
“I have no choice. It’s an inherited position.”
“You mean you wouldn’t become a rabbi if you had a choice?” (p 69)
In this passage Reuven and Danny are having a conversation about what they will become. Reuven learns that Danny has to take his father’s place as rabbi, even though Danny doesn’t want to. I think that this passage is important to the text. It is foretelling of what will happen in the book. In this passage I feel that Danny is more grown up because his life is already planned, but he feels as if he has no way out of it. I think that Reuven will get Danny to dream more. He asks “You mean you wouldn’t become a rabbi if you had a choice?”, forcing Danny to express himself more. I think that this expression of true self will continue to be important throughout the book. I wonder if we will learn if Danny actually takes his father’s position as rabbi?
What a terrible situation Danny is in. No one should be expected to do the same job as his/her parent. It just doesn't seem right.
Delete1. A line that I thought was very important for the plotline of the book was “‘ I must be the Messiah. No mere Hasid would get a greeting like that from an apikoros.’” (p.78) I think this is definitely a turning point for their relationship. Not only has Reuven forgiven Danny, he is truly looking forward to the time he can spend with him. I think it also shows that though they have began a friendship all has not changed, there still are borders between their religious sects. Though Reuven is looking forward to seeing him, Danny is surprised, not because he is the one who put him here in the hospital, but because there is still a line drawn between them, “Hasid/Apikoros.” Though they can have a friendship currently, they cannot (yet) forget that they are from two different worlds who often hate each other.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: I wonder if this distinction will disappear at some point throughout the book and they will see each other just as equal and normal people/friends, and not have their religion be their defining factor.
2. A passage that was important to me was on page 54: “I know if I open my right eye I’ll see. When you’re blind it makes no difference whether you open your eyes or not. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to know that no matter whether my eyes were open or closed it made no difference, everything was still dark.” I think this passage was not only important for me in seeing and experiencing how Reuven thought, but also making me think to myself, and appreciate how lucky I am.
3. Also though it does not relate to the post prompt, I would like to mention that I really liked the imagery on page 40, with his descriptions of colors as he went through the hospital, especially how rather than saying “My eye was so messed up I thought the light was changing colors” instead there was dialogue that made us infer that.
DeleteI thought your point about blindness is well taken. Of all the senses or abilities I could lose, losing my sight is probably my greatest fear. It's kind of bizarre to think in these terms, but it does, as you point out, remind one to appreciate how lucky one is.
Delete"'Hello,' Danny Saunders said softly. ''I'm sorry if I woke you. The nurse told me it was alright to wait here.' I looked at him in amazement. He was the last person in the world I had expected to visit me in the hospital" (pg. 61). This is when Danny comes to the hospital to talk to Reuven. It's also the first time they talk since the game. I think this is a very important part of the book because it is a turning point for both Danny and Reuven. We can see that Danny is sorry for what he did because he's doing the right thing by going to the hospital to apologize and talk to Reuven about what happened. Even though Reuven doesn't change his mind right away, what happens in this part causes him to think about everything to the point where he decides to forgive Danny next time he comes to the hospital.
ReplyDelete"'No one knows he is fortunate until he becomes unfortunate,' my father said quietly. 'That is the way the world is" (pg. 73). Reuvens father says this just after Reuven talks about envying everyone that was walking outside and wasn't stuck in the hospital. This passage really stuck out to me. People don't understand how lucky they really are when there are other people in the world who are starving and don't have clean water. Will we see a change in other characters and will Reuven call BIlly?
Good point about appreciating our place in life and how lucky we are. It's a matter of keeping things in perspective.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think one important quote from the book was when Danny and Reuven meet for the first time."'Hello,' Danny Saunders said softly. 'I'm sorry if I woke you. The nurse told me it was alright to wait here (62).'" This was important for obvious reasons, considering it was the first time that Danny and Reuven actually talk, but I also liked this because I realized that they were going to be friends, and the beginning of the book made more sense. Another quote I thought was important was when Reuven is realizing how lucky he has been. " I had always taken [my eyes] for granted, the way I took for granted the rest of my body and also my mind (53)." This concept is really important, and it is very hard to be appreciative of our health until we get sick. Reuven getting hit reminded me to be thankful for what I have. Even though he could have ducked and saved himself, it is still important to be thankful for your health. I wonder, why does it always takes injury to realize how lucky you are?
ReplyDeleteThe quote that I think is important to the text is “‘Reuven, if you can, make Danny Saunders your friend.’” (p 74). This quote is so important because it can be the start to their friendship. At the end of the first chapter Reuven first met Danny and ended up immediately hating him. I think he was just jealous of how good Danny was at baseball. It seems like baseball is a big part of Reuven's life. His dad even kept calling him his baseball player. It's human nature to be jealous of somebody when they are better than you at the thing you love. It also had a lot to do with the difference in their religions, but maybe by his father telling him to make Danny his friend they can get past everything.
ReplyDeleteThe quote that was important to me was "I had never thought what it might be like to be blind." (53). In chemistry the other day Mr. Connolly asked us what sight is the most important to us almost every single person said sight. I think sight is so important to us is because without it we would feel so alone we would just have to live in darkness and that's kind of a scary thought. What is the most important sense to you?
Most definitely sight. See my reply to Emma's post above.
Delete