Ironie et empathie dans le récit biblique : étude de cas dans l'histoire de Jacob (Gn 27,1-40 ; 29,15-30 et 30,25-43)

Details

Supervisors

Wénin, André

Faculty

Faculté de théologie et d'étude des religions

Degree label

Master [120] en études bibliques

Abstract

en"Irony and Empathy in Biblical Narrative: Case Studies from the Jacob Story (Gen 27:1-40; 29:15-30 and 30:25-43)" (2013) This dissertation examines the use of narrative irony – a literary device based on one’s superior knowledge about something/someone – in three episodes of the Jacob story. These episodes are characterised, on the one hand, by a deception centred on the character of the patriarch, sometimes as a deceiver (Gen 27:1-40 and 30:25-43), and sometimes as the deceived one (29:15-30), and on the other hand, by the superior position of the reader vis-à-vis the victims of the various deceptions. An analysis of these episodes demonstrates that the use of irony is primarily aimed at rousing a deep empathy in the reader for Jacob, especially when the actions of the character may appear doubtful. While the reader is thus prevented from passing an ethical judgment on the character with whom he shares the same level of knowledge, he is called upon to observe the evolution of Jacob who, despite the somewhat chaotic journey involving difficult situations, eventually ends up by walking in the covenant.