The Hasidic community has benefits and downsides on Asher’s life. Some encourage him, some try to get him to give up art completely. It’s hard for Asher to pursue certain things because of the community but there are also plenty of people for him to turn too. All in all it is a very complex topic I will try to dive deeper into.
Asher has a lot of benefits living in such a tight nit community. If he is curious about something he has plenty of people to ask. In the book when he is curious about Russia he goes to Yudel Krinsky at his store and just talks. When he’s struggling in school the Rebbe organizes him to get help from the Mashpia. When Asher wants to pursue art the Rebbe sets him up with Jacob Kahn. If …show more content…
His dad is so focused on his image that he does not support his son. For example in the book Asher’s dad isn’t around because he travels so much for the Rebbe, he also seems to do nothing but bash Asher’s gift and there are rarely any instances where he tries to understand this. In less tight knit communities families are sometimes more supportive. But since Asher’s dad wants to be the Rebbe’s right hand man he wants Asher to be a perfect child. Aryeh only cares about climbing the hierarchy of the Hasidic community he doesn't care about Asher’s amazing gift.
Sometimes it is even a mix of both. In the book when Aryeh tries to stamp out Asher’s gift Rivkeh goes against him and asks Asher to draw for her. She tries to support his gift but meat a medium where he still isn't disrespectful to his father. This makes Asher’s life a whole lot more complicated with rules like, you can go to the museum but only when your fathers away. Asher’s mom even is okay, to a point, with Asher going to Yudel Krinsky store when he wants. Aryeh doesn't take that though he yells at Asher more than he talks to him like another person, that can't be good for Asher as a