The Bible As/In Literature Unit

The Bible as/in Literature Unit Rationale: This unit is designed to examine how biblical histories, parables, events and figures have influenced the development of Western and world literature. Just as Greek and Roman histories, mythologies, and philosophies have had a transforming effect upon the themes, conflicts, characters, symbols, images, and language employed in Western literature, so too has the Bible. This unit will reflect on great works of literature in conjunction with biblical material in order to recognize and analyze how archetypal characters, themes, and symbols have been borrowed from, been influenced and/or inspired by the Old and New Testaments. This is not a historical survey of the Bible, nor is it an examination of the theological validity of the Bible as a sacred text. However, because the Bible is recognized as a sacred text for people of many faiths, every attempt to present Biblical material with respect and tolerance for differences will be maintained as a priority for all class instruction, interaction, and assignments. A primary focus for this unit is the literary concept of the allusion: Allusion-(noun) an implied or indirect reference to another literary work or event in history in literature. [Webster's Collegiate] Two basic sources from which writers, especially poets, draw allusions and metaphors are the Bible and the ancient classical writings (mainly Greek and Roman). Knowledge of the characters and stories contained in the Bible and in the body of myths and legends will add to the enjoyment of good literature of all kinds, as well as the analysis of popular culture, and media messages that allude to these texts. From the very beginning of the literary canon, writers have borrowed characters, plots, and themes from these sources, and they continue to do so in the form of popular songs of all genres, advertisements, TV and movies, and contemporary poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Objectives: 1. Students will understand the basic organization of the Bible. 2. Students will understand certain biblical stories in order to understand references to them that occur in other literature and in popular culture. 3. Students will understand the themes of temptation/forbidden fruit, punishment/redemption; sacrifice, judgment, and the apocalypse as they relate to biblical stories and other literature. 4. Students will understand the historical importance of the biblical narrative and the relationship of the Jews to other tribes/nations in the Middle East. 5. Students will understand the concept of an “allusion” and find at least one example of a biblical allusion to a literary work and a popular culture reference. SOLS included: 9.4 The student will read and analyze a variety of print materials. 9.3 The student will read and analyze a variety of literature.  Identify the characteristics that distinguish literary forms.  Use literary terms in describing and analyzing selections.  Explain the relationships between and among elements of literature: characters, plot, setting, tone, point of view, and theme.  Explain the relationship between author's style and literary effect.  Describe the use of images and sounds to elicit the reader's emotions.  Explain the influence of historical context on the form, style, and point of view of a written work. 9.6 The student will develop narrative, literary, expository, and technical writings to inform, explain, analyze, or entertain. Readings and Assignments: You will create a Bible As/In Literature “Log” or Journal of 15 responses to the reading. This will be collected in total at the end of the unit. All assignments should be in order, with the biblical passage noted. Journal entries should be neat, in complete sentences and/or paragraphs with proper structure, use specific references to the text, and support an assertion made by you. Entries in which response questions are answered should have the question rephrased into the answer, which should be detailed and complete.

Reading 1. Creation-- Genesis 1:1-2:25 (pp. 3-8) & James Weldon Johnson’s poem “The Creation” (pp. 10-12) Journal Entry 1: What reason does Johnson give in his poem for God creating the world? Does the biblical account agree with this reason? Why/why not? Do you agree with Johnson’s reason? What emotional/tonal differences do you draw from reading Johnson’s poem and the biblical account in Genesis? (5 points)

Reading 2. The Fall -- Genesis 3:1-3:25 (pp 18-22)& Emily Dickinson, “Eden is …” (p. 24) Journal Entry 2: A. Answer questions 1-6 on p. 20 B. Respond to this: Some have argued that it was unfair of God to place a tempting but forbidden tree in the Garden before Adam and Eve knew about good and evil. Others feel that without the presence of the tree and the possibility of disobeying God, Adam and Eve would not have had free choice, and thus not been fully human. What is your opinion? Why? C. Journal Brainstorm: What has “Eden” come to mean today? What is a “utopia”? (10 points)

Assignment: “My Personal Eden” essay/visual

Reading 3. The First Murder -- (pp. 38-39) Journal Entry 3: Answer questions 4-7 on p. 39 as a Journal Entry and possible Paideia discussion. (5 points)

Reading 4. The Great Flood-- (pp. 57-60, 66-67) Reading 5. The Tower of Babel -- (p. 68) Journal Entry 4: In what way(s) is the story of the flood and the story of the tower of Babel similar to the story of the garden of Eden? What characteristic of Yahweh and his relationship with humans does this reveal? (5 points) Reading 6. Abraham’s Test – (pp. 71-76, 78) Reading 7. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah --Genesis 18-19 (handout)

Reading 8. Jacob – (pp. 84-89, 91) Journal Entry 5: Why did Jacob want to take over his brother’s birthright? Why did his mother help him? Can you think of other instances in history or literature of younger brothers being jealous of/trying to conquer their older brothers? Since God agrees with Jacob’s blessing, what conclusions can we draw about man’s laws of inheritance or God’s favor? (5 points)

Reading 9. Joseph— (pp. 92-95) Reading 10. Moses -- (pp. 109-113, 115))

Reading 11. The Plagues and Passover -- (pp. 116-122, 124) Reading 12. Manna from Heaven, Ten Commandments, Fall of Jericho -- Exodus & Deut. (pp. 128-140) Journal Entry 6: What heroic qualities does Moses possess? What is his greatest achievement as a leader? What does Moses have in common with any of the Greek heroes we read about (Theseus, Perseus, Hercules, Odysseus)? How are they different? (10 points) Reading 13. Deborah and Jael: Victory for Israel-- (pg 155-158) Journal Entry 7: Answer questions 4-7 on page 158

Reading 14. Samson & Delilah-- (pp. 161-167) Journal Entry 8: In what ways do “outward appearances” reveal a person’s character (if at all)? Do you think it is ever possible for a person to “look on the heart” of another person, almost as God does? Support your opinions with examples from literature, history, or your own experience. (

Reading 15: The Story of Ruth— (pg. 172-178)

Reading 16. David and Goliath-- (pp. 190-194, 196) Journal Entry 9: A. What are some other examples of the underdog being victorious, such as in David and Goliath? Think of at least two other movies or stories you have read where someone is underestimated because of his/her age or size, and/or overestimated because of apparent size/strength? What inferences can you make from these associations? B: David is one of several younger children in the Bible who is favored over older siblings. Based on your experience and observations, describe the advantages and disadvantages of being the oldest, youngest, middle child and only child. (10 points)

Reading 17. Jonah and the whale -- pp. 228-231)

Reading 18. Biblical poetry: Psalm 23; Ecclesiastes, 1 Corinthians (pp. 247, 261, 265)

Reading 19. Job (pp. 269-281) Journal Entry 10: Answer questions 5, 12, 13, 14, 15 on pp 282-283 (5 points)

Reading 20. The Victory of Judith—pg 305-311 Journal Entry 11: Answer questions 3, 5, 7, and 9 on page 311 & 312 (5 points)

Reading 21. Daniel in the fire, Belshazzar’s feast and the lion’s den (pp. 318-320, 322-323, 325-327) Journal Entry 12: Answer questions 4-6 on p. 321 and 7 on p. 324 (5 points)

NEW TESTAMENT Reading 22. Jesus’s Birth-- (pp. 341-344)

Reading 23. Jesus’s Miracles --Mark and John, (pp. 353-359) & “A Life of Jesus” by Shusaku Endo (pp. 363-364) Journal Entry 13: Answer questions 1-7 on p. 373 (5 points)

Reading 24. Parables – Luke, Matthew (pp. 381-385) Journal Entry 14: Tell the story of the Prodigal Son from the point of view of the father or of the other brother. (10 points)

Reading 25. Last Days in Jerusalem --Luke, Mark, Matthew (pp. 388-394, 409) Empty Tomb (pp. 416- 418) Journal Entry 15: Write the account of Pilate’s trial from the point of view of Pilate or Barabbas OR Write a journal entry from Judas’s point of view (10 points)