How It Says: Genesis 34 (Pentateuch Unit)
In this Unit, we are working again with narrative. Think: plot, character, narration, point of
view, etc. As always, we begin with “How It Says”: that is, we
examine “the world in the text” (the story-world constructed in the
text itself, without regard to historicity or possibilities for
interpretation).
Preparation:
Read Genesis
34 (only chapter 34), using your Study Bible translation (CEB or NRSV).
Pay attention to story elements: who are the characters? what are they
like, and how do we know? what happens? what is the narrative voice like? Take
notes!
Read Genesis
34 a second time, in the same translation. Continue to pay attention to
story elements. Take notes!
Change
translations. Read Genesis 34 a third time, in your chosen alternative
translation. How do the differences raise questions about the characters,
or the plot, or the narrative voice, or anything else? Take notes!
Read a
fourth time in your first translation.
Writing This Post (about 500 words total).
Consider the themes and threads that hold the story
together. With that in mind, and finding your answers only in Genesis 34, address
the following questions in a post:
Who/what are
the characters in this chapter? What is revealed about their character
in their speech and actions?
What is the
plot of chapter? What is its structure: its episodes or movements?
What can you
say, if anything, about the “voice” who tells the story?
What is the
background/environment? Is it vague, or vivid? Does it have “character”?
What about
time? Does the action seem to speed up or slow down at points? How or how
not?
Are their
elements in the narrative that seem to function as symbols or
metaphors?
What kinds
of things does this text seem to say or suggest about the identity of
Israel? About God?
Any
surprises for you? What are they?
