This paper is a comparison of narrative in Genesis and Midrash Genesis Rabbah, using as a sample each text's version of the story of Cain and Abel. The paper begins with a survey of the study of Bible as literature and Midrash as literature, examining the work of Robert Alter, Meir Sternberg, Wesley A. Kort, Isaak Heinemann, Ofra Meir, David Stern and Jacob Neusner. Following this is a close reading and poetic analysis of the two primary texts, then a summary and comparison of narrative conventions and techniques. Narrative is examined according to the considerations of plot, character, narration and meaning. Further conclusions are drawn regarding the different portrayal of God in biblical and midrashic discourse, attitudes toward paradox and ambiguity, and strategies for achieving ideological and rhetorical goals.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.98550 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Lesk, Joshua. |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Arts (Department of Jewish Studies.) |
| Rights | © Joshua Lesk, 2005 |
| Relation | alephsysno: 002492738, proquestno: AAIMR24888, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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