My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok - Book Report/Review Example

 My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok Response to Reflection Prompts In my reading this weekend I learned from the first five chapters on the life of Asher Lev as he remunerated on his life as young boy with initial focus on his ancestral roots, his familial background, his father’s work, her mother’s return to school, and his immersion to art, among others. Chapter 2 focused on Asher’s first educational experience and the earliest recollection that art was considered a waste of time from the Sitra Achra, or the Other Side, more commonly known as forces of evil (Chapter 1, 3). The chapter likewise proffered challenges of Asher’s father, Aryeh, as he decides to work in Europe to be more instrumental in assisting the Jewish people. I learned new terms that necessitated appropriate definitions in the text for greater understanding by the readers. However, the author opted its use in more regionalized or localized manner to enable the readers to envision and somehow put oneself in the shoes of the main characters in the story. Cultural norms and traditions depicting how Asher and his family and people live were manifested and learned through intermittent examples, such as attendance in the mikveh, where men purify their bodies in a pool. Likewise, there were frequent mentions of Ribbonno Shel Olom, a term synonym with Master of the Universe or the Supreme Being, in antithetical contrast to Sitra Achra, or the Other Side. What I found most surprising about what I have read this week was the extent by which other prominent people influence a nuclear family’s life and decisions. As indicated, the profound influence of a Rebbe, a spiritual leader, a mentor, a guide, in relevant phases of their lives, was actively sought prior to making important decisions. Another puzzling idea is the significance of Rebbe’s role in providing guidance and direction to the characters’ life and in decision making process. At one point, it seems that Asher’s father solicited the Rebbe’s advice regarding the fate that Asher must be directed to in terms of molding him. However, several incidents attest that Asher’s mother refused a Rebbe’s assistance because she believed a Rebbe was instrumental in her brother’s death. Further, Asher’s father refused to listen to the Rebbe’s intercession to support his artistic inclinations. Finally, Asher himself declined to listen to a Rebbe’s recommendation for him to take Russian classes. On the other hand, what I found most difficult about what I have read this week was the way the Asher’s father, Aryeh failed to support his artistic talent and even put his work at the top of his priority, more than his family. The short story on Asher Lev is actually an inspiring piece of literary work by Potok that aims to send the message to readers to pursue one’s dreams and be honest to follow one’s interests in life, especially if these talents move people towards appreciating values in one’s life. In the story of Asher, there have been several instances that indicate relevant characters in the story who remained unsupportive and challenged his capabilities as an artist – particularly in the person of his own father. The role as a father is generally and predominantly known to be a supportive and encouraging figure to encourage children to excel in their own craft and interests in life. However, contrary to what is universally accepted, Asher’s father remained unsupportive and openly objected to Asher’s endeavors – even indicating that these are pagan activities. The role provided a challenging task for readers to evaluate one’s personal values and beliefs, as against those that are being imposed by other people, whether directly or indirectly influencing and trying to control the direction of one’s life. In the end, one’s destiny is really molded by one’s personal decision and should not be blamed nor accounted to others. A puzzling incident is the way the author depicted Asher’s father as a committed public servant yet insensitive to the needs of his son. His character was depicted in such a way that he was successful in his work and endeavors but an absolute failure as a father. Remarkably, despite the lack of paternal support, Asher remained victorious in manifesting his true artistic talents and validated that this talent is a gift from God. Reflection on Chapters 6 to 10 Response to Reflection Prompts In my reading this weekend I learned from Chapters 6 to 10 that different people who interact and interrelate with Asher show either support for his artistic talents (his mother, Rivkeh) or the need to focus on this studies (his father, other relatives and friends). As such, Asher still manifests a strong character in exhibiting preference for the art, but still reflecting love for his father by studying Talmud and the bible, despite his father’s open dissent and considering Asher’s artistic endeavors as pagan activities. The ambivalent and confusing feelings that Asher must be subjected to could be perceived as condescending; yet his genuine interest and love for arts prevailed despite some discord of their religious traditions to the form of art that Asher comes to take special interest in. The support that Asher received from the Rebbe indicates a liberating feeling that confirms his talent and gift to come from God. The story about Asher Lev is significant in contemporary times and in one’s personal life in terms of believing in one’s talent and interests as a significant factor to succeed. Further, the story provided lessons in terms of listening to significant people who could guide, direct, develop one’s talent towards personal and professional growth. For instance, despite Asher’s initial refusal to listen to the Rebbe’s recommendations for him to take Russian courses, in the end, he succumbed and by listening and following, his awareness of the world and of his arts expanded. This is a realization that one needs the direction and guidance of leaders and experts in honing one’s knowledge, skills and abilities towards personal and professional growth and development; in addition to pursuing one’s genuine interest and determination to delve into the endeavors one dreams of. What I found most difficult about what I have read this week was how come Asher’s father, despite the Rebbe’s intercession to support Asher’s artistic inclinations, failed to admonish his fears and continued to reject the potential artist in him. It is difficult to believe the detest of Asher’s father to his own son’s interests and pursuits – while he works to promote the needs of other Jews in terms of establishing schools known to encourage talents of children. What I found most surprising about what I have read and viewed this week was when Potok indicated in Chapter 8 that when Asher read bible passages from the New Testament, he felt unclean. It made me question the kind of information that elders from their culture has inculcated on the minds of younger generation about other religion and practices in other faith. More surprising is the fact that her mother has been shown to openly support Asher’s art inclinations but failed to encourage art as a form of free expression of oneself through various forms of art regardless of family, race, religion, or nationality. Reflection on Chapters 11 to 14 Response to Reflection Prompts In my reading this weekend I learned from the rest of the chapters that Asher was able to finally conquer his true perceptions and feelings on the relationship between art and religion, in the personal absence of his parents, who lived in Europe while he remained steadfast in faith and in his art with another artist, Jacob. What I found most surprising about what I have read and viewed this week was the fact that Asher’s father, despite the length of time that has transpired, still could not accept his son’s choice of interest as it revealed that “Aryeh still resents Asher for not controlling his artistic impulse” (Chapter 11, 8). This somehow proves how distant the father’s preferences and values are to holistically provide support for his son. In doing so, the first few years of Asher’s inclination for the arts proved to be challenging and difficult as his father openly opposed his ambition and interest. What I found most difficult about what I have read this week was when the parents viewed Asher’s interpretation and rendition of the crucifixion, it was revealed that the view enraged and saddened them that provoked their walking out of the museum and out of their son’s life. Their actions run contrary to a Rebbe’s contention in Chapter 7 stated as: “a life is not measured by the work one does but by how the work is done for the sake of heaven” (Chapter 7, 6). His parents’ actions reverberate the way they misunderstood everything about their son, Asher. By completely misunderstanding that this interest and love for art does not in any way intend to harm them or to offend them, but just to freely express his artistic inclinations and interpretations of how he views meanings of pain, suffering, anxiety, fear, and other emotions. In the end, Asher only want to express his own emotions through the art forms and painting he created, despite the gravity or pain of the message that it inflicts, he remains steadfast as an artist, in the true sense of the word. My only question is that how come he depicted Asher’s father as unsupportive and insensitive to his needs –which is not universally true. In a way, the kind of treatment that Asher received from his father could truly affect his behavior and perceptions in life. It could have been instrumental in deterring Asher to pursue his dreams. There is some inconsistencies in the characterization of the father – perceived as an honorable man and a public figure for supporting public endeavors that benefit the Jews, even in far away lands. Then, how come he was cold and insensitive to his son? The schools he supposedly set up in Europe and in other areas could not have been possibly be built by a man with utter disregard for the talents of his own son. I learned several things from the short story: determination, persistence, love for one’s craft, believe in one’s talent, love for parents, and not losing traditional beliefs and values despite widening one’s knowledge of the intricate theories and applications that higher education provides. Asher, despite his father’s open disregard for his talent, remained subservient to his desires by studying the subjects that he knows would make his father happy. Further, despite pursuing higher education and learning vast theoretical frameworks for diverse modules, Asher remained steadfast in his faith. Likewise, the challenges that he met became the impetus for him to strive harder and to learn more to develop his artistic inclinations – expanding his view and perception of art by going to the museum, taking art classes through diverse genres and time frames, and even arts from other religion and beliefs. One’s success through personal and professional development depends on one’s commitment and desire to grow and improve. The experience and story of Asher Lev is replete with instances that supported the relevance of pursuing a balanced and holistic education. With the guidance and advice of the Rebbe, Asher took French courses (“Rebbe has ordered Asher to take four years of French, because his work as an artist may take him to France” (Chapter 11, 8)); Russian courses (“the Rebbe meets with Asher and explains that as an artist Asher will be welcomed throughout Europe and Russia, knowing Russian will help Asher spread Hasidism” (Chapter11, 8); and the provision of work experiences through serving as a courier for the Rebbe (Chapter 12, 9). Likewise, the relevance of education was emphasized by Asher’s mother, Rivkeh, whose traditional beliefs were the evil forces would be pleased when someone who initially started pursuing academic studies (initiated by her brother, Yaakov) would not be completed. Through her experience, Rivheh completed Yaakov’s studies to the point that she obtained her master’s degree and worked towards obtaining a doctorate degree. The importance of ensuring that education is balanced was realized by Asher in art classes that require learning it from diverse perspectives, regardless of time period, religion, family, or race (Chapter 8, 7). By reading a Christian bible and through viewing vast paintings from the museum, Asher’s exposure was comprehensive enabling him to expand knowledge, skills and abilities from various authoritative sources. Teaching and learning should always be viewed with an open mind, as a continuing process, where sources for personal and professional growth would come from diverse sources and media. Through the guidance of professionals, academic mentors, spiritual counselors, and even parents, friends or colleagues, education is continually expanded where new learning is applied in professional careers. Travelling to different places, viewing museums, reading authoritative references and maintaining a proactive stance in one’s education is the path towards success. To aptly conclude, the short story has made me realize that the profession of teaching is not an easy task – on the contrary, it is challenging but ultimately rewarding. Students, in their diversity, should be approached uniquely to address specific needs. To enable them to develop, there should be a genuine desire to lead, coach, mentor, direct, and guide them. Teachers must use the appropriate instructional materials and resources that would highlight their strengths, develop knowledge, skills and abilities, and release their weaknesses. The ultimate aim should be to address these weaknesses and endeavor to be committed towards developing unique skills that would be shared for the benefit, not only of the students themselves, but for others, whose lives they will touch in the future. Read More