My Name Is Asher Lev Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 5 Summary

Chapter 5 Summary

Asher is consumed by art. He draws the burning of the library in Alexandra by Moslems. He then draws books burning, houses burning, and the Ladover headquarters burning. Asher's mother is worried. She takes him to a family doctor, an eye doctor, and a psychologist, but these specialists do not find anything wrong with Asher. Asher wants to begin painting, but he visits Yudel Krinsky and learns that oil paints cost more than he can afford.

In April Asher is reprimanded in school for drawing a demonic looking portrait of the Rebbe on his Chumash book. He doesn't remember making the drawing. The next morning Asher is called in to the mashpia's office. Asher has trouble concentrating on Rav Yosef Cutler, because he looks out the window and longs to draw the rain falling on the street. The mashpia tells Asher that many children appear to have a great gift,...
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