Asher has the oppertunity now to open up his world. Now being under the influence of Jacob Kahn he will finally hear a differnt perspective than the ones he has reciened from all the narrow minded Jews in his culture. He offered a blunt opinion that Asher never receieved before, and could seriously help his drawing. Jacob is introducing Asher to many new forms of art of famous and well recieved artists. Asher is able to see other people's work which in turn will improve his. He was able to copy the work the works of the masters, but was unable to see it. I remember from the movie Good Will Hunting when Sean tells Will that although he may think he knows everything he has not expirenced if himself. Asher did not have the expirence to feel the paintings that he was reproducing. The only time he produced great paintings were when he drew of something that he was able to relate to. When drawing of the bully, he held back his tue feelings. Jacob Kahn was there to tell him not to be a fraud and express himself, or else he will never create a great painting, his emotions may run out of control someday.
Asher and his father are starting to grow further and further apart from each other. Areyah is unable to understand the importance of Asher's drawing, and almost feels a sense of betrayal towards the Rebbe because he allowed Asher to continue and further educate himslef with painting. He is upset that Asher is not honord to take his job as traveling for the Rebbe as the generations had. He feels that he did not raise Asher correctly. Because if this Areyah constantly wishes that Asher was not his son.
Now that Jacon Kahn has taken Asher under his wing, it almost is like Asher is recieving another father figure. Except Jacob Kahn is more excepting than his father is. He is teaching Asher to open hie eyes to his feelings and the rest of the world, where as hei father is enclosing him in a small traooing world. Asher's father wanted Asher to be like him, he dissaproved of anything that made Asher an individual. Asher needed Jacob in order for him to develop as an artist. Without him he would not know of another world, in which he could expand his paintings. With that added knowledge, Asher now has more material that he could use in the future, and mybe to even rebell against his parents and his religon.