Jacob Kahn Turns Asher Lev example essay topic

Asher Lev Essay: Minor characters are central to our understanding of any text. Analyse their significance in My Name Is Asher Lev. Central to our understanding of "My name is Asher Lev" by Chaim Potok, is the dynamics of Asher's relationship with different minor characters involved. Each minor character such as Yudel Krinsky, Uncle Yitzchok, the Rebbe, and Jacob Kahn each help Asher in a different way allowing the reader to interpret the text more thoroughly. Their guidance to the antagonist creates a vivid image inside the reader's mind of the type of character and their importance to our understanding of the text.

Each minor character listed has a deep impact on the resolution of Asher Lev Yudel Krinsky is a Russian Jew from Siberia, in Russia. When he arrives in Brooklyn he is very grateful towards Asher's father. "Did you know Asher that your father is an angel of God?" he says. When Asher first meets Yudel Krinsky his curiosity about Serbia and Yudel Krinsky begins.

This curiosity soon makes him ask more and more questions about Yudel. "We saw a Jew from Russia", he says to Mrs. Rackover. When asked about Siberia Mrs. Rackover replies, "What is Siberia? It is a land like the inside of this refrigerator.

It is a land of ice and darkness where the Russian government sends people it hates. What is Siberia? No-one should know of it". This gives a good impression to the reader the torment and struggle Yudel must have felt when living in Siberia. Asher of course does not view this information lightly and wishes to seek more answers about Yudel and Russian Jews. "The son of Reb Aryeh Lev", is the name Asher is referred to during the beginning journeys of to Yudel's store.

It is important to note he is called the son of Aryeh Lev because they don't really know each other but later called 'Asher'. On the first encounter Asher does not ask Yudel any questions. On the second encounter though Asher begins to ask Yudel questions relating to the news in Russia and the relationship between Yudel and Asher begins to bloom like a rose bud. On the next encounters to Yudel's store, Yudel starts addressing Asher as 'Asher' and not 'the son of Aryeh Lev'. Asher seems almost attracted to the store and is mesmerized by the metal glass showcase of oils and paints. When Asher steals the oils because he can't afford them, Yudel starts nurturing Asher's 'gift' and provides him paints.

Yudel in essence represents the Jewish conflict and the product of Asher's father's work. He represents the actions of the Russian government sending people it hates, the Jews, and the result of Asher's father tiresome work. As Asher learns to paint using more and more materials, Yudel Krinsky provides them to him. Even though Yudel knows the consequences of his actions of providing Asher with paint, he in a way repaying Asher back for Aryeh Lev's service to him.

When Asher is at his own home, or at his Uncle's house, Yudel Krinsky provides an opening and expands Asher's artistic horizons and ability by supplying the materials. He positively mirrors Asher and tries to help Asher preserve his heritage as a Hasidic Jew whilst still supporting his individuality. Asher is able to talk to Yudel like a father, having open discussions with him, and on occasion helps him in the store and is able to feel comfortable. The store is described as warm by Asher in the latter part of the text when returning from Europe, and is appropriately addressed because it feels like Asher's second home, warm and cozy. Our mind conjures an image of Yudel after Chaim Potok's first technique of imagery is used to describe him. "He was short and thin, with large bulging eyes, a beak like nose, and pinched wrinkled features.

A dark stubble covered his face". He starts of being described in uncomplimentary terms. Asher perceives him as being peculiar and foreign. "You learned the store quickly", said Aryeh, "I have learned more difficult things than this store even more quickly", says Yudel. This creates the character of Yudel Krinsky as hard working and intelligent and combined with his physical characteristics, it appears the conditions in Siberia were challenging.

Yudel Krinsky plays a significant role in the resolution of the text as the absence of Yudel Krinsky would not have enabled Asher to grow artistically because Asher would not have had or experimented with art supplies to reach his current level of ability. Uncle Yitzchok has a dynamic and significant role in the final outcome of the text, "My name is Asher Lev". Uncle Yitzchok is Aryeh Lev's brother and lives a few blocks from Aryeh. From the text the reader understands that Uncle Yitzchok is the owner of a jewelry and watch shop close to Yudel Krinsky's store.

"This is a six year old boy? A little Chagall", says Uncle Yitzchok as he peers to see Asher's drawings. Uncle Yitzchok goes onto complimenting Asher when he continues to say, "a regular Chagall". Uncle Yitzchok then goes onto purchase one of Asher's drawings.

"Now I own an early Lev", he says as he puts the coin on the table. Though it may appear to the reader that Uncle Yitzchok is trying to be kind to Asher because of his mother's illness, Uncle Yitzchok throughout the text is constantly encouraging Asher to paint more and succeed. Yitzchok is the opposite of Asher's father. He is easy going and 'has a strange sense of humour. ' When the Rebbe asks Aryeh Lev to establish Yeshiva's in Europe, Aryeh establishes that himself, Rivkeh and Asher will also move with him.

Asher is threatened by this move as he feels that his artistic talent will disappear because he is moving away from a safe haven, which nurtures his talent. It is ironic as Asher's safe haven is his community, which discourages him to draw; yet he feels if he leaves he will not be able to draw. Uncle Yitzchok is significant as he offers Asher a place to stay seeing Asher's disliking in moving to another country. By offering Asher a place to stay in his house, he is nurturing Asher's talent as he intends for Asher to grow artistically. Even though Aryeh disproves of his brother's actions, Yitzchok stands firm and opens his humble abode to Asher.

As weeks pass, Uncle Yitzchok realizes that Asher needs more space to paint and gives Asher his attic. His attic, filled with odds and ends, is a very significant gesture in context with the text. He is allowing Asher's talent to grow and understands the need of space for a growing 'Chagall. ' Uncle Yitzchok is a key in the conclusion of the text as without him Asher's talent may have disappeared, as he would have had to go to Vienna and also the gesture of giving Asher his attic, encouraging growth of the 'gift. ' The Rebbe in "My name is Asher Lev", is the leader and spiritual adviser to the community of Hasidic Jews. He is the controlling force behind Asher's family.

He determines actions of Asher's father and Asher himself. From a young age, Asher artistic talent is apparent to the Rebbe. During Asher's mother's illness, the reader gains a first impression of the Rebbe through Potok's technique of imagery. "Behind them walked a man of medium height, wearing a dark coat over a dark suit. He had a short beard and wore an ordinary dark hat. He walked in the path cleared by the tall dark bearded men.

People murmured softly as he passed. His presence seemed to fill the apartment with white light". In essence the Rebbe is described as a mystical angel like figure with importance surrounding him. Rivkeh's brother Yaakov died in a car accident whilst traveling for the Rebbe. The Rebbe sends Aryeh to travel for him in Europe, and Aryeh complies taking his wife with him as the text progresses. The Rebbe's relationship with Asher is close due to Asher's father being an immediate associate of the Rebbe.

In the beginning though the relationship between Asher and the Rebbe is not close but begins to grow. At a young age Asher desecrates the sacred Torah, and from there on will not stop drawing. The Rebbe understands that Asher will not cease to draw so decides that Asher will promote the Jewish culture through his art. He assigns Asher to undertake several subjects to Asher's dismay, such as Russian and French. The Rebbe wishes to nurture Asher's talent by providing him guidance and insight.

"Asher, Asher. This world has not been kind to you. Certain things are given, an it is for man to use them to bring goodness into the world". When the Rebbe says 'certain thing's are given he refers to Asher's gift and how he should use it 'to bring goodness into the world.

' When Asher questions the Rebbe on his subject selection; the Rebbe explains the significance thoroughly to Asher. He explains he wishes Asher to do those subjects because it will greatly benefit him in the future as an artist. The Rebbe understands that Asher's ability to learn French and Russian will allow him to prosper and grow in foreign countries where the Jewish teachings are not widely known throughout. "You have already begun to travel.

And I say to myself there are great museums in Europe. There are great museums in Russia. Russia is a land rich in art and you will one day wish to travel there". He understands Asher's passion for the love of art and how he will ultimately travel and will hopefully promote the Jewish heritage. The Rebbe also understands that Asher can grow significantly through progress in his technique of painting so he assigns him to famous artist Jacob Kahn. The reader understands through the text that the Rebbe is an intelligent man through spoken word from other characters.

Jacob Kahn says to Asher, "Our Rebbe is very clever. If it isn't me, it will be someone else. Yes? He prefers to take a chance with me.

Of course, yes. The Rebbe is clever". The Rebbe assigning Jacob Kahn to Asher causes conflict within Aryeh Lev as he wishes Asher to continue in the family's tradition of traveling for the Rebbe instead of painting. The fact that the Rebbe is encouraging Asher's 'gift' frustrates Aryeh as he is working hard in Europe whilst his son paints. The Rebbe sending Asher to Jacob Kahn is significant in context to the text as the Rebbe wishes Asher to do well in painting even though taking a risk by sending Asher to learn from a non-observant Jew. After Asher's paintings' of the Crucifixions,' the community is dismayed and so the Rebbe sends Asher to France.

Though it may seem unreasonable for the Rebbe to send Asher to France, he is helping Asher by nurturing his art sending him to France, and also protecting the community from his disrespectful and hurtful paintings. Due to the Rebbe's actions of making Asher learn French, Asher will be able to live and prosper in France. Jacob Kahn turns Asher Lev, the observant Jew from Brooklyn NY, to "Asher Lev the painter". Jacob Kahn is introduced to the reader through Asher's description. "I glanced at the man in the beret. He looked back at me.

He had pale-blue eyes. He smiled vaguely through a thick walrus moustache... ". the reader later finds out that this was Jacob Kahn and it seems like a degree of mystery surrounds him. Jacob Kahn takes on the role of becoming Asher's personal painting tutor on the command of the Rebbe. Jacob Kahn as previously mentioned, is a non-observant Jew, and is a great painter. He plays an extremely significant role in the growth of Asher's artistic talent. Before Asher has his first session with Jacob Kahn, Jacob tells Asher to conduct research on several works of art so Asher can become better acquainted with several types of works to inspire him.

Jacob constantly pushes Asher to the limit to increases Asher's potential. Asher being a Hasidic Jew understands that people should be modest and cover up their body. When Jacob instructs Asher to paint a nude Asher freezes but slowly begins to understand the beauty and curvature of the human body. Jacob Kahn realizes it is important in Asher's progress to paint as many different types of art as possible, even though realizing the conflict he will create by making Asher do so. Asher views Jacob Kahn as a man who has broken free from Orthodox Judaism and is inspired by this and the fact that he is a great painter. Not only does Jacob encourage Asher to reach his full potential he also echoes Asher's criticism's and values of Hasidic Jews.

Jacob being under strict orders from the Rebbe admonishes Asher for hiding his traditional side curls behind his ears. Being a former observant Jew himself, Jacob conforms Asher during Pesach and other religious events. Jacob wishes Asher to view all works of art and claims Europe is the home of art. Jacob has several homes outside of New York, and takes Asher with him to these, encouraging growth in Asher's 'gift'. Jacob Kahn's insight on various forms of art such as Michelangelo's 'David,' gives inspiration to Asher as he flies to Europe to view famous works.

It was Jacob Kahn's views and criticism's of art that allowed Asher to explore a different and more unique style of painting and all his knowledge gained from Jacob Kahn, allowed him to paint Brooklyn Crucifixion 1, and Brooklyn Crucifixion 2. If it weren't for Jacob's significant contribution by offering Asher help and criticism Asher would have never prospered as a great painter. Throughout the text "My name is Asher Lev" by Chaim Potok, minor characters of Jacob Kahn, the Rebbe, Uncle Yitzchok and Yudel Krinsky are central to our understanding of the text. Each character plays a significant part in the artistic progress of Asher Lev and allows him to reach a level of artistic talent at a young age. Their description and techniques used to describe them help the reader interpret the text thoroughly as they have an understanding of the type of character.

Each minor character is as vital as the other as without one character Asher may not have been able to accomplish his great feats. Their contributions to Asher through either materials or advice are essential for Asher to establish himself as a great painter. Each character's actions helping Asher succeed and also attributes to the tension created between themselves and Aryeh Lev which eventually results in the downfall of the Lev household. The minor characters are in essence the key to our understanding as each evaluates Asher's feelings, emotions, and frustrations of art.