Authors use writing as a form of disseminating their knowledge and experiences to the world. Chaim Potok is a master of this, and has shown it in each of his eight amazing novels. In his novels, Potok often made the idea of challenging conformity a central issue for the characters. Danny's decision to become a Psychologist in "The Chosen" is a single example of this issue with conformity. From the diametric opposition of Danny and Reuven's characters, Potok shows how delicate the balance of the worlds of secular and Ultra-Orthodox Judaism can be. Potok's purpose of writing this novel is to show not only this balance of beliefs, but also the conflicts that can arise within a single religion.
             Potok was born in the Bronx, New York in February of 1929. He was the son of two polish immigrants and grew up in an Orthodox Hassidic family. His family and friends within the sect discouraged him from going beyond the boundaries of Judaism. The discouragement of leaving orthodox practices only led to rebellion. His rebellion lied within his becoming a conservative Jewish person. Secular Jews practice the religion, but do not base their lives around Judaism. Potok was intrigued by this idea, and after he read "Portrait of a Young Man", and another novel by Evelyn Waugh, he decided that he wanted to have a life outside of religion. He had numerous experiences leading to his more conservative beliefs. The first experience was his enrollment in the Korean War. He had served as a chaplain in 1956-57(Gale 44). While enrolled in the service, he realized that there was much more outside of the world of ultra-orthodox Judaism. This pushed him towards much more secular beliefs. This idea is apparent in "The Chosen" in the life of Danny Saunders and Reuven as well (Classic notes).
             Potok's College life was not entirely based upon Religion. He did attend Yeshiva University where he gra...