Literature Companion: My Name is Asher Lev

By History World

The author believes that there is a constant conflict between tradition and individualism. He also believes that there is a lifelong tension between religion and art. Potok had to go through struggles, but he continued to remain an artist and writer, besides being raised in a religious family. He continued to adhere to his beliefs until his death in 2002.

The novel is set in a Hasidic Jewish Community in the 1950s, in Brooklyn, New York. The protagonist lives in that community but he also studies art outside in New York, Massachusetts, and Europe. As the story progresses he grows into an artist and a good Jew.

Literature Companion: My Name is Asher Lev
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Major Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Dec 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310208713

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Literature Companion: My Name is Asher Lev

Copyright

Literature Companion: My Name is Asher Lev

History World

Copyright@2014 History World

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Chapter One: Introduction

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok was first published on March 12, 1972. Chaim Potok was an American author and rabbi.

The story revolves around a Hasidic Jewish boy, Asher Lev, the protagonist of the novel. He lives in New York City. Being a Jewish boy, he is not supposed to be inclined towards arts because his elders believe that art is not related to religion, but Asher is passionately interested in art and paintings.

Owing to his interest in his art, there is a conflict with his family and the other members of his family. The story presents Asher’s growth and his development as an artist and a Jew.

The author believes that there is a constant conflict between tradition and individualism. He also believes that there is a lifelong tension between religion and art. Potok had to go through struggles, but he continued to remain an artist and writer, besides being raised in a religious family. He continued to adhere to his beliefs until his death in 2002.

The novel is set in a Hasidic Jewish Community in the 1950s, in Brooklyn, New York. The protagonist lives in that community but he also studies art outside in New York, Massachusetts, and Europe. As the story progresses he grows into an artist and a good Jew.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

Asher Lev, the protagonist of the novel, is a young boy. He has miraculous artistic ability. He lives with his Hasidic Jewish family.

The story is set in the time of Joseph Stalin in the 1950s. In those days, the Jews were constantly persecuted in the Soviet Union.

Since he is from a highly religious family, his artistic inclination is not approved by his parents and there is a conflict with the members of his Jewish community. They only prize those things which they relate to faith. They think that art is not related to religious expression.

According to the people in the Jewish community, art was a waste of time and it was possibly a sacrilege.

Asher has a particular strong conflict with his father. His father has devoted his entire life in the service of their leader, the Rebbe. He has travelled around the world and brought the teachings and practices of their sect to the other Jews in their community. His father has a nature that is not equipped with the sense to appreciate art. He is unable to understand and value any kind of art.

Then there is Asher’s mother. When Asher was a child, his mother’s brother was killed while he was travelling for the Rebbe.