I really liked the end of the novel and I was actually surprised by how Asher's life turned out. I am an eternal optimist, so I thought Asher would be able to pursue his gift while maintaining his religion and a stable relationship with his family.
I was happy to read that Asher finally became a successful artist; however, I was surprised by the means that he took to accomplish his goals. The Rebbe made it possible for Asher study and practice his craft; however, he still urged Asher to follow his religious beliefs. I thought that Asher, although an artist which was unfavorable to his father, would certainly maintain his religious integrity and support his Hasidic views. I really did not know what to think when Asher painted his parents in the two crucifixions. I was confused as to whether the crucifixions were a jab at his parents, his religion, or if they were purely just a release of the years he suppressed many of his emotions. After Asher witnessed how upset his parents were at even the mention of the name Jesus, it seemed completely out of character and surreal that Asher would paint those images. I imagine for Asher the paintings were a release. I don't think that he intended malice by the portraits in any aspect; however, he was aware of how his parents and fellow religious peers would react.
Although I was surprised and confused by the paintings I was pleased that Asher finally received the recognition that he had worked so long and hard for. I found it heartbreaking for him that he was finally receiving acclaim from the people that mattered most to him; however, these positive comments and feelings were shattered after the night of the show. Only those he meet and worked with in the art world were able to understand and comprehend Asher's actions.
I found the crucifixions an interesting culmination of Asher's worst fears. Throughout most of his life he tried to stop painting in fear that the painting was evil and he would hurt his family. Once he finally accepted his life as an artist is when he finally creates damage for himself and his family.
I wish the novel would not have ended with the tragic image of the apartment window and his parents peering out at him. As a reader, I routed for Asher the entire novel and was left feeling hopeless, frustrated, and unsure of the future. However, this may have been Potok's goal, because I am sure these were the same feelings Asher was trying to cope with as he pulled away.
Overall I felt that Potok brilliantly displayed the torture, excellence, and frailty of a young boy turning into a man dealing with an incredibly strict religion and family and his meaning in the world. Asher was portrayed as an endearing figure with wonderful and flawed qualities journeying through the world searching for his niche.
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13 comments:
Somehow, despite the way the novel ended, I didn't think of it as a bad way to go about life. It seemed that Asher did not really belong in that community and while he felt dedicated, he didn't practice his dedication.
I also appreciated reading your perspective on the crucifixion paintings - it's going to be interesting to see what the class makes of those. I think the reason the novel gives as to why Asher painted those was that the crucifixion scene perfectly represented his mom's place between him and his father.
I think Asher used the crucifix to show ultimate pain and suffering in a way the art world would understand (but his family would not). In doing so, he chose the world of art over his tradition and background.
I just started The Gift of Asher Lev; he gets married and has kids early in the novel. Read on if you're interested!
Although I was saddened by the ending I was not surpriesed by it. I think his painting of his parents in a crucifixion setting was his way of displaying his pain and suffering felt through out his life. I think since he was never really encouraged to verbalize his feelings he did so in his art work...resulting in hurting his parents. It was dis-heartening that right at the time Ashers parents were grasping a little understanding of his talent and that is was a gift...that is when the gift pulled them apart. I wonder if he went on to paint a picture of his parents standing in the window as he left?
Amy, I am in your writing group and don't understand how we want to proceed with this. I can open up a new post on my website, and we can go from there.
Colleen Kolich
I have been thinking about journeys a great deal as I read this novel, and I noticed you ended with them. Do you think Asher completed a journey or is he still on one?
I think Asher painted the crucifixions to display his feelings about his family life and religion. I don't think he was trying to hurt people but just trying to explain his life as a child/teen as he saw it.
Asher says that his choice of the crucifix was to demonstrate all the suffering and anguish his mother had suffered through the years. It was his desire to express this pain rather than to disown his parents or religion that brought him to the crucifix.He used the idea of the agony of dying while being nailed to the cross as an expression of suffering rather than a symbol of Christianity. His parents probably could not see past its association with Jesus.
Asher didn't seem to be intentionally trying to hurt his family by painting the Brooklyn Crucifixions although he knew that by those paintings, he would hurt the ones he loved.
Part of me wonders if the painting of the Crucifixions wasn't Asher completing his part of his family's journey? His mother was completing the journey of her brother, his father was completing the journey of his grandfather and the Rebbe. Perhaps Asher's paintings were the unfinished business of his art?
I think the conflict you expressed as you were so optomistic for Asher and yet feeling his pain is the exact conflict of the book. This family so wanted to be a family of love but the pain they experienced continually drove them apart. Potok's use of the window was so expressive.
I believe that Asher was able to paint the crucifixion for the same reason that Picasso, who was far from religious, painted crucifixions when he was grieving the impending death of his mistress. For Picasso, the crucifixion has no religious significance, but was more a symbol of ceaseless torment and torture.
For Asher it was one of the last fragments of honesty that he had to confront. To be honest to his path, his past, his upbringing in Orthodox Judaism, his very soul, he had to paint and, more importantly, display The Brooklyn Crucifixion.
Okay, I admit it...I loved the tragic image of his parents at the window. :) I agree that Asher understood how his parents and community would react to his crucifixion paintings, but I am not sure that I personally understand the reaction. If I were his parents, the concept of the painting would be more upsetting than the "mold" for expressing his mother's anguish.
Great review. There seems to be a great price that comes with following your individual ways. The price was certainly high for Asher. He lost his community and more importantly his mother and father. Is it worth it? The crucifixions were difficult for me to read but what amazing writing and thoughts. The idea the this is the only thing that truly depcits the anguish and torment he saw in his mother. I thought that the prayer to the Master of the Universe immediately after his parents view his work. There is a feeling of remorse. In spite of this remorse, Asher will still stay true to his art.
I really felt the window was a great symbol in the book. A window is used for looking out and for others to look in. Asher's mother was always looking out the window in despair and worry. I'm glad to see you noticed the window at the end with his parents looking out.
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