MY NAME IS ASHER LEV

Chpt.# 2 Journal

Andrew Beck

Per.7 1/13/99

Mr.Luizzi

During chapter two of My Name is Asher Lev, many events significant to the course of the book occur. One of these is the continued lack of a family surrounding. Repeatedly throughout the chapter, Asher is neglected by his parents and Asher's father is absent for long periods of time. These events, are the beginning of a long downward spiral for Asher Lev.

"..I was the son of Aryeh Lev, one of the Rebbe's emissaries who was not often home and whose absence had to be counteracted by teachers," (pg53) recites Asher in the first sentence of chapter two. This begins the series of occurrences that brings Asher farther from his family. Also, Rivkeh Lev, Asher's mom had begun attending Yeshiva college. She was no longer his "big sister" as he confesses later in the chapter. Soon, Mrs. Rackover becomes Asher's surrogate mother, making him dinner, checking he comes home on time etc. One particular incident that particularly shook Asher was during his summer of '52 stay at his family's bungalow. It occurred right after one of his father's trips to Washington and was when, "they shot the writers." "They had not even noticed me", says Asher (pg. 59). It seems to Asher that his parents are more concerned with areas of global importance than with their own son. Also, Asher seems to have no interest in his faith, something his parents see great importance in and concerns what his father does for a living. Even Asher's grades begin to plummet, especially in arithmetic. Later, Mrs. Rackover says," you're not turning out like your parents wanted you to."

All of this has led to Asher Lev being drawn farther and farther away from the comfort and security of his own home and family. Though currently Asher isn't drawing, he is sure to continue for he has frequented Yudel Krinsky's store not just for art supplies but to talk. Asher needs some method of letting off steam. As stated on the back cover of the novel, "a young boy whose extraordinary talent leads him away from his family and his faith into a painful maturity and a perilous success."