Tzeitel, on the other hand, is offended, but a lot less since she thinks Lazar would be a undesirable partner for her and more because she currently has a boyfriend she could have been married to previously, had he just grown a pair and asked Tevye just before Lazar received the opportunity. Burstyn felt that Miller was far too small for the element, in contrast to her boyfriend at the time, whom Friedkin had auditioned but handed on.