Thematic Dynamics of Characters’ Outward Appearance in the David Narrative by Dae Jun Jeong A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Wycliffe College and the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies of the Toronto School of Theology. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College © Copyright by Dae Jun Jeong 2018 Thematic Dynamics of Characters’ Outward Appearance in the David Narrative Dae Jun Jeong Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2018 Abstract The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the function of characters’ outward appearance in the David narrative (1 Sam 16 to 1 Kgs 2; henceforth “DN”). This study suggests that the narrator portrays characters’ “looks” deliberately and draws strong connections among them in the DN to convey his intention to the reader. Using a narrative critical approach to the DN, this dissertation investigates how the narrator characterizes select characters effectively, efficiently, and consistently, and clarifies his theological concepts concerning them. Chapter 1 reviews modern scholarship on the characters and the methods of characterization. In addition, this chapter explores the function of repetition as a literary device. Chapter 2 examines the role of beauty in character descriptions in the Ancient Near East and the Hebrew Bible, also discussing the narrator’s and Deuteronomist’s views on the ugly and the beautiful. Chapters 3 and 4 analyze the DN’s descriptions of beauty within the family of king David for what they imply about the narrator’s intention. This dissertation concludes that most characterizations of outward appearance in the DN add coherence to the narrative and subtly disclose the narrator’s implied meaning. ii Acknowledgements I especially would like to express my gratitude to Prof. Glen Taylor, my supervisor, who from the outset, has encouraged me in my study, has discussed with elaborate fullness of detail, has suggested many ideas, has gave a lot of valuable comments, and has taken the time to patiently read and edit this dissertation. I am most grateful to Prof. Marion Taylor, Prof. John McLaughlin, Prof. Sarianna Metso, and Prof. Keith Bodner, who carefully read the dissertation. I am also indebted to Prof. Glen Taylor, Prof. Marion Taylor, Prof. Christopher Seitz, and Prof. Michael Kolarcik, who taught me during my course works. My best thanks are also due to Dr. Rachel Lott for her assistance in editing my thesis. In addition, I hope to thank members of North York Korean United Church in Toronto, Canada, who gave constant love and encouragement for me. Especially, I also want to thank my parents, Hyeong-do Jeong and Sun-ae Lee, my parents-in-law, Bok-guy Kang and Yeon-ja Seong, and my brothers-in-law, Hyeon-seok Kang, Hyeon-jung Kang, and their family members. As always, they have been there, providing both materially and spiritually for me. And most of all, my gratitude goes to my three lovely children, Sion, Haon, and Pyoungon, who remained encouraging with their love for me. Finally, my most sincere thanks to my wife, Hyeon Jeong Kang, who has assisted me in innumerable ways with her everlasting love. iii Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... iii Contents ........................................................................................................................................ iv List of Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... xiv List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. xvi Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 1. The Attitude toward Beauty in the Hebrew Bible ............................................................... 1 2. Beautiful Characters in the Hebrew Bible ........................................................................... 2 3. Structure of the DH .............................................................................................................. 5 4. Inequity in the Description of Characters in the DN ........................................................... 6 5. Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 7 6. Procedure ............................................................................................................................. 8 Chapter One: Characters in Biblical Narratives and Characterization Using Repetition ................................... 11 1. What is Narrative Criticism? .............................................................................................. 11 1.1. A Starting Point and Development ............................................................................ 12 1.2. The Framework for Narrative Criticism .................................................................... 14 1.2.1. Narrative Text .................................................................................................. 14 1.2.2. The Real Author and the Real Reader ............................................................. 15 1.2.3. The Narrator .................................................................................................... 16 1.2.4. The Narratee .................................................................................................... 16 1.2.5. The Implied Author ......................................................................................... 17 1.2.6. The Implied Reader ......................................................................................... 18 iv 2. Characters in the Narrative ................................................................................................ 19 2.1. Who Are Characters in the Narrative? ..................................................................... 20 2.1.1. Classification of Characters ............................................................................. 21 2.1.1.1. Joseph Ewen: No Category ...................................................................... 21 2.1.1.2. E. M. Forster: Two Categories ................................................................ 22 2.1.1.3. Adele Berlin and Yairah Amit: Three Categories ................................... 23 2.1.1.4. W. J. Harvey: Four Categories ............................................................... 24 2.1.1.5. A. J. Greimas: Six Categories ................................................................ 24 2.2. The Process of Characterization ............................................................................... 26 2.2.1. Direct Characterization .................................................................................... 26 2.2.2. Indirect Characterization ................................................................................. 27 3. Beautiful Characters in the DN .......................................................................................... 27 3.1. The Functions of Beautiful Characters in the DN .................................................... 28 3.2. Characterization Using Repetition ........................................................................... 30 3.2.1. Repetition as Allusion .................................................................................... 31 31 ............................................................................. טֹוב and יָפֶה Repetition of .3.2.2 3.2.2.1. The Meaning of the Words .................................................................... 32 3.2.2.2. Other Hebrew Words ............................................................................... 33 3.2.3. Characterization by Repetition ......................................................................... 35 3.2.4. Repetition of Significant Events in the Narrative ............................................. 36 3.2.5. Repetition of Character Description in the Narrative ....................................... 39 4. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 43 Chapter Two: The Role of Outward Appearance in the Ancient Near East and Elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible ..................................................... 45 1. The Role of Outward Appearance in the Ancient Near East ............................................. 45 1.1. Akkadian Myths and Letters .................................................................................... 46 1.2. Egyptian Hymns ...................................................................................................... 48 v 1.3. Sumerian Hymns ..................................................................................................... 50 1.4. The Hebrew Bible ................................................................................................... 50 1.5. The Apocrypha of the Old Testament ....................................................................