Cymbalism!

Here are the possible symbols that I found in Chapters 6 and 7. You might find them farfetched. For discussion let us talk about possible meanings for each symbol and how they change Asher's point of view, Asher's art, and Asher's relationship to his parents/general society/Judaism. Each symbol is accompanied by a quick quote and the page on which I found it. Here are the possible symbols that I found in Chapters 6 and 7. You might find them farfetched. For discussion let us talk about possible meanings for each symbol and how they change Asher's point of view, Asher's art, and Asher's relationship to his parents/general society/Judaism. Each symbol is accompanied by a quick quote and the page on which I found it. Chapter 6 1. "That was an autumn of cold winds that stripped the leaves from the trees and blew them in clouds through the street. I would wake from dreams and hear the leaves against my window...and watch the trees rain leaves and the leaves swirl back and forth at the whim of traffic and wind. By November, the trees were almost bare. Solitary leaves clung to the branches as tenacious reminders of life. They fell and the trees stood naked on the street. It rained and the leaves lay rotting in the gutter." (pg 153). Symbol: Nature/Seasons Childhood, relationship with father? Importance of the ending of the year and dormancy. 2. Asher cannot say "I want to go to Vienna, Mama," but is unable to (pg 154). Why can't Asher say it, and what does Vienna symbolize to the Lev's. Deterioration of Family, differences between Asher and Aryeh? Gateway to Jewish persecution. 3. "Sometimes I walked with him and marveled that he could read and avoid the trees and fireplugs and the cracks and juts on the sidewalk." (pg 155). Father can easily avoid obstacles in his path. Is there an obstacle he cannot avoid? Is Asher or Asher's art an obstacle in his path? Can Asher avoid obstacles like his father? 4. Dead bird on the sidewalk, Asher asks why it died and why the Ribbono Shel Olom allowed death. "That's the way the Ribbono Shel Olom made His world...so life would be precious, Asher. Something that is yours forever is never precious" (Pg 156). Do you agree with Aryeh? What does Aryeh think is important? Asher? 5. "It seemed to me that I was closer to him during those early months of his absence than at any other time of my life" (pg 157). This may not be symbolically important, but it is to the book. What does this suggest about the relationship between Asher and Aryeh? 6. "The next night, I painted my first oil on canvas, a picture of my other looking out the window of our living room. It was as if I had been painting in oils all my life" (pg 162). What is the importance of Asher's natural talent towards oil painting, or the fact that he paints his mother looking out at the street? 7. At the museum, Asher tells his mother; "I don't understand these at all. Not any of them" (pg 169). Importance of not understanding nude, Jesus, or abstract? What does this say about Asher and his art, or his religion? 8. Asher's vision: "Then it began to whirl and suddenly it was white, color and shape all fusing into brilliant white light quivering and spinning crazily inside my head, and I opened my eyes and was very frightened. I was bathed in sweat. My hands were wet. I lay in bed, terrified. It is the Other Side, I told myself. It is the Other Side. But I can't help it" (pg 179). Whoa. Importance of white light (all light colors are reflected) or the white light that is rumored to come before death? Conflict between light and darkness--why would Asher think the light came from the Other Side? Importance of nude woman--what does this say about society's expectations for Asher? 9. Asher is looking at the painting of Jesus; "The wounds intrigued me. How had he made the wounds so real? Had there really been wounds like that? I wondered what it felt like having wounds like that" (pg 180). Is Potok making Asher a Christ figure? Perhaps the wounds intrigue Asher because he is meant to see the wounds of the world and paint them. Will Asher's interest in Jesus continue in the future? Chapter 7 1. "The souls of Jews are like the flame of a candle, the mashpia said. The flame burns upward; it seeks to be parted from the wick in order to unite with its source above, in the universal element of fire" (pg 188). Does the image of a candle have a special significance to Asher? Is Asher like a candle? 2. The night of Asher's meeting with the Rebbe was " a cold night. I walked quickly along the parkway. A winter wind blew through the street; I heard it in the bare trees overhead. The sky was clear and dark, jeweled with cold and distant stars" (pg 189). Importance of cold and jewels? Symbolic of Asher's fear or separateness from the world? 3. This isn't necessarily a symbol either, but do you think Asher appreciates Jacob's drawing of him? Does Asher like to be drawn? If Asher could draw himself, what would he create? 4. "The door opposite my opened soundlessly" (pg 190, 192). This doesn't seem important, but it is mentioned twice. Maybe breaking communication between the Rebbe and the rest of the world? Or stifling free speech or will? 5. " I left the drawing on the chair Jacob Kahn had occupied" (pg 193). What is the importance of this "painting swap?" Is this foreshadowing a switch in ideas in the future? How can Asher learn from Jacob? Will Jacob take Asher back to the place of his father, or lead him farther astray?

Amy Flansburg