As I scan The Slave looking for points to use in my paper, I'm noticing things that I skipped over when I first read it, which I should have questioned more.
First, references to Esau. Jacob calls Wanda a "daughter of Esau" on page 111. Then, on page 133 when Jacob is traveling back to Wanda's town, he reasons with himself that trying to save his unborn child is a virtuous act because "his seed would not be mingled with that of Esau." Then, on the next page, a random man shows Jacob the path he must take, and Jacob likens him to the prophet Elijah but then considers he might be "an emissary of Esau, sent by those powers who wished Jews and gentiles to mate."
I don't know about everybody else, but from what I remember about Esau, he was Jacob's brother whom Jacob stole the birthright and blessing from, and he was a hunter who liked meat.
Having just gone back to re-read Esau's story, I realized that the "sin" Jacob in The Slave keeps referring too is intermarriage between Jews and, in Esau's case, Canaanite women. So, if Wanda is truly a "daughter of Esau," one of her parents must be a Jew, which is obviously not true. And, I highly doubt that Esau would have emissaries urging Jews and gentiles to mate, because when Esau realized that intermarriage was displeasing to his father, he went out and married a Jew (as if one Jew among 15 Cannaanites would set things right? Esau was a poor fool).
But, I do understand the part of "his seed mingling with Esau," because in this context any gentiles could be descendants of Esau. And actually, Wanda could be a "daughter of Esau," in a distant sort of way.
After reading into this I kind of feel bad for Esau. He tried, but things didn't work out for him. It's hard when Jacob is your brother, I suppose.
Which brings me to the question: How is Jacob in The Slave like the Biblical Jacob?
It could be a whole new term paper.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Term Paper (for real?)
I have been feeling the pressure of this term paper as the days drag on, and it is not a pleasant feeling. I keep thinking that an epiphany will come to me (what does that mean again?) but no such luck. I am going to have to commit myself to something and run with it. I now regret not reading at a faster pace throughout the semester, but nothing can be done but to continue.
I had originally thought I would for sure write about "What I know now that I didn't know before and the difference that it makes," but the more I thought about it the more I realized I had no idea how to focus my thesis. So many things I learned in this class were about life in general and perspectives for looking at it, and it would be very hard to focus a thesis on this and still make it relevant to the academic subjects of the class.
So, I have come to realize the best thing for me to do is write about The Slave. I went back and read the blog I wrote about it right after I finished it, and I decided the best thing to discuss would be Jacob's personal slavery, or lack thereof. I would argue that he is a slave throughout the book, whether it be to Wanda's family, to his religion, or to Wanda/Sarah herself. I know this is a boring and unoriginal subject, especially because Dr. Sexson suggested it if we were having difficulties focusing our papers, but frankly, I am having those difficulties, and I am not a graduating senior so I reserve the right to be average as far as this class is concerned.
The most difficult obstacle I expect to encounter when writing this paper is referencing Northrop Frye thrice times over. How am I going to do this? I can hardly understand him, much less relate him to The Slave.
Clearly, I have a lot of work to do.
I had originally thought I would for sure write about "What I know now that I didn't know before and the difference that it makes," but the more I thought about it the more I realized I had no idea how to focus my thesis. So many things I learned in this class were about life in general and perspectives for looking at it, and it would be very hard to focus a thesis on this and still make it relevant to the academic subjects of the class.
So, I have come to realize the best thing for me to do is write about The Slave. I went back and read the blog I wrote about it right after I finished it, and I decided the best thing to discuss would be Jacob's personal slavery, or lack thereof. I would argue that he is a slave throughout the book, whether it be to Wanda's family, to his religion, or to Wanda/Sarah herself. I know this is a boring and unoriginal subject, especially because Dr. Sexson suggested it if we were having difficulties focusing our papers, but frankly, I am having those difficulties, and I am not a graduating senior so I reserve the right to be average as far as this class is concerned.
The most difficult obstacle I expect to encounter when writing this paper is referencing Northrop Frye thrice times over. How am I going to do this? I can hardly understand him, much less relate him to The Slave.
Clearly, I have a lot of work to do.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Ezekiel 4:9
Today, I had the desire to make a grilled cheese. This pretty much happens every day. The difference about today is that I am at home in Alaska, which means I don't have to pay for groceries while I mooch from my mother.
When I picked up the bread and looked at it, I couldn't help but laugh. It was Ezekiel 4:9 bread! Apparently they make a whole line of products, not just bland and dry crunchy cereal. I had to sample the bread. It turns out it is kind of like the cereal; it doesn't have much flavor. But, as the package tells me, "This Biblical bread is truly the staff of life."
I feel healthier already.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
term paper
I know I want to write my paper on what I know now that I didn't know before and the difference that it makes, but I have yet to come up with a good thesis. I've been unable to put enough thought into it, and I don't want to say something stupid because I would just change it later. Also, I think it would be interesting to write a paper on The Slave, but I have even less of an idea what that thesis would be.
What I do know is that I am going to be in Alaska for about 10 days and during that time I will work extensively on my term paper, when I actually have time to think without frantically getting things done. It's always in the back of my mind, but the back of my mind hasn't generated a thesis for me yet.
What I do know is that I am going to be in Alaska for about 10 days and during that time I will work extensively on my term paper, when I actually have time to think without frantically getting things done. It's always in the back of my mind, but the back of my mind hasn't generated a thesis for me yet.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Test 2
I originally planned to read everything for the test over the weekend and spend a good amount of time Monday studying, but events never go as planned.
What actually happened was a read a little over the weekend, then Monday rolled around. I woke up at 3:30 am Monday morning with a splitting headache. I couldn't figure out why, so I drank some water and went back to sleep. When I woke up again at 7, the headache was still going strong. It was bad enough that it was distracting, so I rummaged around in my drawer for some Advil or Motrin. I couldn't find either, but I did have some Hydrocodone left over from previous ailments. It seemed like my best option, so I took one and went to work from 8-10, where I consumed copious amounts of water in hopes that it would stave off the headache. I came home after work and read Good Book, and things were going well. Around 11:30 the headache returned. I took another Hydrocodone. I don't want to sound like a pill-popper, but headaches like that rarely happen to me, and it was my best option.
I had class from 2-3, and I planned on spending a couple hours on campus after class and studying, but then I had to walk to Culbertson to turn in a Study Abroad application and I decided it would be easier to walk home and study there. Then when I got home, a friend from Alaska was visiting so I got distracted, and lo and behold the night slipped away and very little studying ensued. I went to my room to try to read, but laying in bed I closed my eyes and all productivity ceased. I became too tired and distracted by my still-lingering headache to get anything of value accomplished, so I gave up. It was a bad decision on my part, and something I rarely do. I always try to be as prepared as possible for tests, but it was not happening on Monday. Might I add that at this time "the way of women was upon me." It's an excuse. I'm using it. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with my headache but it probably had something to do with my general sluggishness.
Tuesday morning I had a group project presentation at 8 am. I was not on top of my game. I then skipped my 9:30 class to try to cram for the test at 11, but I knew I was already destined to fail. A feeling of impending doom loomed over my all morning, getting worse as 11:00 approached. By the time I was sitting in class, I was prepared to get a low score, and I wanted to get it over with.
Sure enough, my performance was less than stellar. I am pretty embarrassed about the whole situation because I knew it was a "stupid test" and I was worse than stupid. But considering the circumstances, I'm glad it's over.
What actually happened was a read a little over the weekend, then Monday rolled around. I woke up at 3:30 am Monday morning with a splitting headache. I couldn't figure out why, so I drank some water and went back to sleep. When I woke up again at 7, the headache was still going strong. It was bad enough that it was distracting, so I rummaged around in my drawer for some Advil or Motrin. I couldn't find either, but I did have some Hydrocodone left over from previous ailments. It seemed like my best option, so I took one and went to work from 8-10, where I consumed copious amounts of water in hopes that it would stave off the headache. I came home after work and read Good Book, and things were going well. Around 11:30 the headache returned. I took another Hydrocodone. I don't want to sound like a pill-popper, but headaches like that rarely happen to me, and it was my best option.
I had class from 2-3, and I planned on spending a couple hours on campus after class and studying, but then I had to walk to Culbertson to turn in a Study Abroad application and I decided it would be easier to walk home and study there. Then when I got home, a friend from Alaska was visiting so I got distracted, and lo and behold the night slipped away and very little studying ensued. I went to my room to try to read, but laying in bed I closed my eyes and all productivity ceased. I became too tired and distracted by my still-lingering headache to get anything of value accomplished, so I gave up. It was a bad decision on my part, and something I rarely do. I always try to be as prepared as possible for tests, but it was not happening on Monday. Might I add that at this time "the way of women was upon me." It's an excuse. I'm using it. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with my headache but it probably had something to do with my general sluggishness.
Tuesday morning I had a group project presentation at 8 am. I was not on top of my game. I then skipped my 9:30 class to try to cram for the test at 11, but I knew I was already destined to fail. A feeling of impending doom loomed over my all morning, getting worse as 11:00 approached. By the time I was sitting in class, I was prepared to get a low score, and I wanted to get it over with.
Sure enough, my performance was less than stellar. I am pretty embarrassed about the whole situation because I knew it was a "stupid test" and I was worse than stupid. But considering the circumstances, I'm glad it's over.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Revelation!
Shelby inspired me to read Revelation, and it's probably the most riveting book I've read yet. It's intense. My favorite part is probably the sacrificial Lamb who gets to open the scroll with seven seals. I'm glad it wasn't sacrificed in vain.
The book of Revelation has a powerful message. Having read it, I'm surprised I don't remember more about it from my Catholic upbringing. It makes the strongest case to listen to everything else the book is saying. It's using the promise of "everlasting life" to make everybody buy into it. I'm a fan of the idea of everlasting life, but I'm still a skeptic on the truth of the Bible. It's an interesting argument.
The book of Revelation has a powerful message. Having read it, I'm surprised I don't remember more about it from my Catholic upbringing. It makes the strongest case to listen to everything else the book is saying. It's using the promise of "everlasting life" to make everybody buy into it. I'm a fan of the idea of everlasting life, but I'm still a skeptic on the truth of the Bible. It's an interesting argument.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Slave
I just finished The Slave, and I've never read a book that details the life of a devout Jew so well. I've decided the Jews as a whole have had a pretty rough history. But along with the suffering and oppression the Jews underwent, the book details follies as well—swindling, bribery, trickery, thievery. The stereotype of a Jew who follows the laws about what to eat devoutly but ignores the laws about treating other people is definitely represented by people like Gershon, while Jacob is so devout it's almost sickening.
When I first started reading the book, Jacob's painstaking devotion to his religion was strange to me. I found it interesting that the "heathens" he lived among were actually Christians, but their primitive ways were pretty disturbing as well. When Wanda appeared and their love for each other was apparent, I was impressed that Jacob was so devoted to God he would not touch her, even when they talked about it openly. The fact that he had a wife in his hometown seemed like a legitimate reason to avoid Wanda, but when it was revealed that his wife was basically a spoiled whiny child, Jacob seemed almost too perfect a Jew to be real.
Then came Jacob's ransoming. It was timed almost perfectly to be most tumultuous for Jacob and Wanda. He seemed on the verge of leaving town with Wanda when he was taken away, and what he had wished for for years ironically came when he probably didn't even wish for it anymore. I was glad when he returned to Wanda, but of course as they had been separated for so long things were a little awkward between them.
The fact that Wanda changed her name to Sarah and pretended to be a mute was the ultimate sacrifice of love to Jacob. Honestly, although she always said she wanted to be a true Jew, I'm not sure if I buy it. She only said that because she knew how much Jacob cared about his religion. Personally, as somebody who is not religious, I thought this sudden devout interest in Judaism would never have happened if it hadn't been necessary for Wanda to be with Jacob. She obviously did not let the laws of religion hold her back—she kissed him during the "unclean days" of her period, for example. She tried, but only for Jacob.
When Wanda accidentally talked in front of Pilitzky, I thought for sure she and Jacob were doomed. But they somehow continued their charade. I never was a fan of this charade, because I felt like Wanda was being punished, basically sacrificing her life, because her husband loved his religion more than her. Maybe among Jews that is honorable, but I felt it was cruel. The fact that they kept it up for so long seems a worse sin than admitting the truth. Isn't lying a sin?
As expected, Sarah/Wanda's death was tragic, and I almost thought Jacob was going to fail entirely and forget about his son. Luckily, he remembered him and miraculously brought him to Jerusalem. I'd say the book is a comedy, because Jacob ended up buried next to Sarah/Wanda. What more can you ask for?
The title is a recurring theme throughout the book. Jacob starts as Wanda's slave. Wanda becomes Jacob's slave, or at least a slave to his religion. When she dies, she appears to him and calls him "Jacob, my slave," which I didn't quite understand but I felt it was powerful. After Sarah/Wanda's death, Jacob never remarries or is with another woman, so I suppose in that respect he is a slave to her memory.
Anyway, I liked the book. It's so full of Biblical allusions I'm not sure I'd be able to tackle a term paper on the subject and be able to focus it enough, but it was definitely an eye-opener about the Jewish faith.
When I first started reading the book, Jacob's painstaking devotion to his religion was strange to me. I found it interesting that the "heathens" he lived among were actually Christians, but their primitive ways were pretty disturbing as well. When Wanda appeared and their love for each other was apparent, I was impressed that Jacob was so devoted to God he would not touch her, even when they talked about it openly. The fact that he had a wife in his hometown seemed like a legitimate reason to avoid Wanda, but when it was revealed that his wife was basically a spoiled whiny child, Jacob seemed almost too perfect a Jew to be real.
Then came Jacob's ransoming. It was timed almost perfectly to be most tumultuous for Jacob and Wanda. He seemed on the verge of leaving town with Wanda when he was taken away, and what he had wished for for years ironically came when he probably didn't even wish for it anymore. I was glad when he returned to Wanda, but of course as they had been separated for so long things were a little awkward between them.
The fact that Wanda changed her name to Sarah and pretended to be a mute was the ultimate sacrifice of love to Jacob. Honestly, although she always said she wanted to be a true Jew, I'm not sure if I buy it. She only said that because she knew how much Jacob cared about his religion. Personally, as somebody who is not religious, I thought this sudden devout interest in Judaism would never have happened if it hadn't been necessary for Wanda to be with Jacob. She obviously did not let the laws of religion hold her back—she kissed him during the "unclean days" of her period, for example. She tried, but only for Jacob.
When Wanda accidentally talked in front of Pilitzky, I thought for sure she and Jacob were doomed. But they somehow continued their charade. I never was a fan of this charade, because I felt like Wanda was being punished, basically sacrificing her life, because her husband loved his religion more than her. Maybe among Jews that is honorable, but I felt it was cruel. The fact that they kept it up for so long seems a worse sin than admitting the truth. Isn't lying a sin?
As expected, Sarah/Wanda's death was tragic, and I almost thought Jacob was going to fail entirely and forget about his son. Luckily, he remembered him and miraculously brought him to Jerusalem. I'd say the book is a comedy, because Jacob ended up buried next to Sarah/Wanda. What more can you ask for?
The title is a recurring theme throughout the book. Jacob starts as Wanda's slave. Wanda becomes Jacob's slave, or at least a slave to his religion. When she dies, she appears to him and calls him "Jacob, my slave," which I didn't quite understand but I felt it was powerful. After Sarah/Wanda's death, Jacob never remarries or is with another woman, so I suppose in that respect he is a slave to her memory.
Anyway, I liked the book. It's so full of Biblical allusions I'm not sure I'd be able to tackle a term paper on the subject and be able to focus it enough, but it was definitely an eye-opener about the Jewish faith.
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