Narrative Obtrusion in the Hebrew Bible
Narrative critics of the Hebrew Bible often describe the biblical narrators as “laconic,” “terse,” or “economical.” The narrators generally remain in the background, allowing the story to proceed while relying on characters and dialogue to provide necessary information to readers. On those occasions when these narrators add notes to their stories, scholars may characterize such interruptions as “asides” or redactions.
Christopher T. Paris calls attention to just these narrative interruptions, in which the storyteller “breaks frame” to provide information about a character or even in order to direct reader understanding and, Paris argues, to prevent undesirable construals or interpretations of the story.
After surveying the phenomenon of omniscient narration and narrative obtrusiveness in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient Near Eastern literature, Paris focuses on the Deuteronomistic History. Here the narrator occasionally obtrudes into the narrative to manage or deflect anticipated reader questions and assumptions, sometimes invoking the divine, sometimes protecting a favored character, in an interpretive stance that Paris compares with the commentary provided by later rabbis and in the Targums. Attention to narrative obtrusion offers an entry point into the world of the narrator, Paris argues, and thus promises to redefine aspects of narrative criticism.
Christopher T. Paris calls attention to just these narrative interruptions, in which the storyteller “breaks frame” to provide information about a character or even in order to direct reader understanding and, Paris argues, to prevent undesirable construals or interpretations of the story.
After surveying the phenomenon of omniscient narration and narrative obtrusiveness in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient Near Eastern literature, Paris focuses on the Deuteronomistic History. Here the narrator occasionally obtrudes into the narrative to manage or deflect anticipated reader questions and assumptions, sometimes invoking the divine, sometimes protecting a favored character, in an interpretive stance that Paris compares with the commentary provided by later rabbis and in the Targums. Attention to narrative obtrusion offers an entry point into the world of the narrator, Paris argues, and thus promises to redefine aspects of narrative criticism.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781451482119
- eBook ISBN 9781451487459
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Pages 176
- Emerging Scholars category Bible
- Publication Date July 1, 2014
Endorsements
"The author's carefully argued thesis advances a theoretical construct that will be welcomed by interested readers of the Hebrew Bible. This new book provides a review of a past scholarship on the voice of the narrator and a notable advance as well. Using aptly chosen examples from the Former Prophets and ancient Near Eastern sources, Christopher Paris explains why obtrusions are important in the interpretation of biblical narrative."
—Keith Bodner
Crandall University
"This engaging book really does advance our understanding of the workings of biblical narrative by exploring the art of the narrator. Paris writes with clarity, lays out his theoretical argument cogently, and offers us a wealth of examples. And as a bonus, he applies his insights comparatively to other narratives from the ancient world. A very fine study."
—David M. Gunn, A. A. Bradford Emeritus Professor of Religion
Texas Christian University
—Keith Bodner
Crandall University
"This engaging book really does advance our understanding of the workings of biblical narrative by exploring the art of the narrator. Paris writes with clarity, lays out his theoretical argument cogently, and offers us a wealth of examples. And as a bonus, he applies his insights comparatively to other narratives from the ancient world. A very fine study."
—David M. Gunn, A. A. Bradford Emeritus Professor of Religion
Texas Christian University