Item Details

abstract

There are many memorable narratives from ancient Judaism, yet there are three stories in particular which offer as central figures women who function in independent and decisive ways. The stories of Susanna, Esther, and Judith invite analysis for their lively depiction of women in ways that both confirm and contradict patriarchal assumptions. In these narratives there are defining examples of the use of prayer by women. The prayers employed by these women in their struggles are at times distinctly feminine, yet at other times are indistinguishable in form from prayers of men. In each narrative, the plots involve the power of eroticism and the tension created by male desire, which makes the women both vulnerable and powerful. Perhaps the most striking feature of each narrative, and one which offers a contradiction of patriarchal assumptions, is each woman’s capacity to make decisions and speak for herself and for others in ways which preserve each heroine and ultimately preserve society.

subject

Ancient Jewish narratives

Susanna

Esther

Judith

contributor

McKee, Rebecca (author)

Valbuena, Olga (committee chair)

Lipsett, Diane (committee member)

Walls, Neal (committee member)

date

2009-05-07T17:57:45Z (accessioned)

2010-06-18T18:58:25Z (accessioned)

2009-05-07T17:57:45Z (available)

2010-06-18T18:58:25Z (available)

2009-05-07T17:57:45Z (issued)

degree

MALS (Liberal Studies) (discipline)

identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/14763 (uri)

language

en_US (iso)

publisher

Wake Forest University

rights

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide. (accessRights)

title

Women as Heroes in the Patrirchal Society: The Roles of Susanna, Esther and Judith

type

Thesis