Narrative analysis--interpretation

Select a story or incident in one of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) readings assigned, but not one examined in detail during class.

Some possible passages:

Genesis 9:18-27, The drunkenness of Noah

Genesis 12:10-20, Abram, Sarai and the Pharaoh

Genesis 19, Lot and his daughters

Genesis 29-31, Jacob, Rachel and Laban

Exodus 32, The Golden Calf

Joshua 2, Rahab the harlot

Judges 11, Jephthah and his daughter

Treat it like a short story or section of a story. Use the Paradigm for Literary Analysis as a source of topics and approaches.

Your discussion should include a short summary of the plot that illuminates the unity of the action by noting its beginning, middle and end, and its climax or turning point.

Choose one or two additional elements—e.g. character , setting or theme—and explore ways that specific details in the narrative highlight these elements and contribute to the story's overall meaning.

Maximum length is 850 words. Don’t waste space with unnecessary foreshadowing or repetition in introduction and conclusion.