In chapter nine of the novel, Asher goes through continuous artistic maturation as he studies with Jacob Kahn. His artistic ability flourishes as he is introduced to new forms and subjects. These new experiences, however, cause tension and dislike between Asher and others, making complete acceptance to his work still far off.
Asher is taught by Jacob to paint how he feels. Jacob views Asher’s original painting of a boy as false and cowardly because it does not express Asher’s true emotions. When Jacob returns later to see Asher’s new painting, however, he remarks, "It is an excellent painting, I would not like to be hated by you." From this, the reader can see how easily Asher learns and helps himself to mature.
Jacob then introduces Asher to a form his religion forbids him to see. Timid at first, but willing to paint it for the sake of art, Asher paints the shape of a nude woman. He paints it over and over again until he expresses the beauty, and gets even more skilled by doing so. Asher then draws this constantly, in his mind and on paper. He creates paintings that are evil to his father and immoral to his religion. Already, he is breaking away, though Asher himself may not realize so. Art is taking him beyond the limits he is expected to keep.
Perhaps the final breaking away of Asher from his parents’ grasp is when they finally leave him. Though Asher is against his mother leaving him to go live with his father, the Rebbe allows his mother to go, leaving Asher to live with his uncle. At this point, Asher is still young and is being secluded from his parents, forcing him to mature faster than others at that age. Asher has nothing to turn all of his attention to but his art, and this is what he does.
He is persecuted because of this in school, as the teacher and students are not fond of him because of the art he exhibits and lack of study he applies. One particular student sends him notes that he will go to hell for his actions. Really, though, because of the life Asher has had and the seclusion he had all those years from his father and mother, he is driven to art, driven to another way of communication. This, in my opinion, is why he has become so obsessed with art, making it his love. It is perhaps the only way he knows how to deal with his emotions and produce expression. Yet, no one understands what it means to him and the beauty he is enabled with such a talent.
In the end, this chapter basically contains many areas of Asher’s growth as an artist. It also shows the negative reactions he is receiving from his people because of their refusal to understand. I feel Asher, however, will ignore these negative responses and dedicate even more of himself to his gift.