One of the central themes in this work, which arguably
contains many different themes, is that of the conflict between fathers and sons and the
necessary coming of age that both fathers and sons go through. This is explored most
clearly through the conflict between Danny and his father, Reb Saunders. Reb Saunders is
clear that Danny must follow in his footsteps and become a religious leader of the
Hasidic Jews. The extent of his fanatacism is actually quite frightening, and the way
that Danny is pressurised by his father to follow in his role can be viewed as being
quite disturbing. However, by the end of the book, Danny has had to make a break to
establish his own identity, and part of that break involves abandoning the outward
trappings of his father's faith whilst remaining inwardly a Jew. His decision to go and
follow his secular career is one that represents his own coming of age, but also Reb
Saunders has to experience a similar coming of age as he has to recognise that he is not
able to control his son's life decisions and he has to let him go to live his own life.
Note how Reb Saunders makes this realisation at the end of the
book:
"Today
is the--the Festival of Freedom." There was a soft hint of bitterness in his voice.
"Today my Daniel is free... I must go... I am very tired... I must lie
down."
At great personal cost
to himself, Reb Saunders recognises that he must free his son to embrace and shape his
own destiny rather than choose that destiny for his son. This novel thus displays the
importance of the coming of age of both father and son, as both realise that the son
must be free to make his own decisions in life.
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