Asher Lev Journal 1
On page 17 of Chapter one, Asher Lev’s father refers to Asher’s beloved drawing as “foolishness.” Asher’s father’s statement is rather foolish itself, as drawing is a legitimate form of art (as are many “foolish” things) as well as an important way to express one’s feelings and cope with life. The ordered religious that Aryeh Lev lives in does not have time to regard the arts as anything but foolish, which leads him to insult Asher’s form of expression. Before more is evidenced on that point, there is an allusion or a connection possible here as well. The concept of a Jewish man of religion (not necessarily a rebbe) not preferring his son’s hobby or potential job is reminiscent of the acclaimed movie The Jazz Singer. In this movie, a rebbe takes shame in his son’s choice of lifestyle of being a singer.
Drawing, in one more superficial aspect of it, is a perfectly acceptable form of not, thus not worthy of an adjective such as foolish. All painting develops from an artist’s sketch of a scene which is then adapted to paint or pastel. Thus, for all potential art professions, the ability to sketch a scene or item effectively is necessary for their survival in their profession. There have also been and still are some artists who have gained fame from their drawings. Leonardo Da Vinci, Francisco Goya, Edgar Degas, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec are just a few of the many renown artists who work in the mediums of pencil, charcoal, or pen and ink (all forms of drawing). Thus, little Asher’s drawing skills, which were called “foolish” by his own father may one day make him a renown artist (Foolishness?).
As well as being a form of art, Asher’s father upon his remarks, may not have been aware that Asher’s drawing may be his way of expressing himself, and a portal into Asher’s subconscious (Asher otherwise is an introverted little child). An example of such occurs on page 25 in which Asher draws a picture of happy birds and flowers for his beloved, but sickly mother. This represents his feelings towards her and also his wishes for how things to be. However, his mother responds sickly, not desiring to look at the picture because of her condition. This leads Asher to draw a different picture, one with dead birds (possibly symbolic for his almost dead mother). If his parents caught wind of his varied drawings, they might realize the psychological strain the mother’s sickness is putting on Asher. Also this event is one of the many that leads Asher to begin to view the world in an unrealistic and distorted way through his pictures (the beginnings of cubism). Such feelings were the ones which would lead him to comment on page 32, “I hate the world.” However, Asher’s parents did not take a hint. They could not realize that through Asher’s distorted pictures he was expressing his distorted outlook on the world, and that while the new pictures are unique and creative, they could be a sign of trouble in little Asher. The parents did not do this. Instead they shrugged it off with a “Draw pretty pictures.”
Thus, with the one little comment, “Drawing is foolishness,” Aryeh Lev is announcing that one; he does not recognize his son’s gift and potential lifestyle, and two; he does not acknowledge that drawing is a form of expression which should not be viewed lightly, as Asher’s own drawings relate distortion in his view of the world. Drawing, like all art, is not “foolishness.” Drawing is art, and as a form of art, drawing is a form of relation and expression which delves into numerous aspects of life, whether it be the viewer’s or the artist’s life.