In this chapter, many developments take place as a result of Asher’s gift. Mainly, Asher’s artistic talent affects the relationship between his parents. In other areas, his school studies decrease while his interest in other art and art knowledge increases. Basically, it is a chapter of new experiences for Asher and he uses them to help his own work, disrupting the lives of others in the process.
With the leaving of Asher’s father in the end of the last chapter, Asher has already separated his parents due to his non-compliance to the idea of moving. His mother is devastated and under great stress because of it, both with her work and the concern of her husband’s safety. She is often sad, staring out the front window, waiting for someone to come home. Asher, though he realizes what he has done, can still not get himself to agree to the move, due to his own selfish needs. He instead paints her pain and depth during this vulnerable time.
Asher himself uses this time to the best of his ability. He tries new techniques of drawing by painting with oils. Through this he can get a look he has never accomplished before, and Asher soon begins to love the freedom he is enabled because of it. He begins to visit the art museum everyday, going where his religion does not allow. He studies the other paintings and is introduced to other religions, other ways of life. This study takes over the study of his schoolwork, as school no longer interests him in any way. His grades decrease rapidly, causing anger amongst his father and the mashpia, but Asher no longer cares. He is more concerned with his own benefit.
This attitude he attains because of the gift causes even more problems among his parents. His father is furious because he thinks that his mother is influencing him, for she bought Asher the oil paints and took him to the museum. She however, just wants to remain well with both of them, though she is continuously torn in the middle. Asher’s parents fight constantly because of what Asher is doing to them all, and yet Asher can not bring himself to change what is occurring. He is too caught up in his own want that he is blind to the hurt he is causing.
This chapter contains a lot of deep emotion and character development. It shows that Asher is extremely serious about learning more about art and not about to let anything, even family, stand in his way. His gift has taken over all.