Building Your Evidence for an Analytical Essay
Honors World Literature
Assignment #4
Building Your Evidence for an Analytical Essay
Part IV: The Book of Exodus
1446 B.C.E.
Your Quest:
As you complete your reading and class discussion of the Israelites exodus from Egypt through the stories of the birth the birth of Moses, the burning bush, the Ten Commandments, and the golden calf, you need to begin focusing on multiple similarities with all of the stories we have read and discussed so far. How are Tripitaka (Monkey) and Moses reflective of one another? How could a connection be made between Gilgamesh and Moses? Are there reflections between all three of these characters? How do Pharaoh Akhenaten and his “Hymn to the Sun” fit in to the picture? Use the guide below to help build evidence and ideas about Moses and The Book of Exodus, but keep the questions posed above in your mind. Write down any questions that may arise in your mind. If you do not ask me questions, I cannot help you. Asking questions is the only way to learn, including for me. I will ask you questions, so you need to ask me questions; don’t be shy!
Your Goal:
Again, as you arrive at your answers for the guide below, please remember your goal is to understand the purpose of literature and its function in the world around you. There is a human purpose to all forms of literature, beyond telling a simple story. In fact, there is no such thing as a “simple story.” Every story ever written can be analyzed and scrutinized to reveal a hidden message waiting for its readers. Please be sure to take detailed notes for the purpose of writing your first essay, and remember to write down any and all questions you may have for me and our class discussions, regarding The Book of Exodus.
Your Directions:
Using the guide below, look back through The Book of Exodus and note the places where you see these things. Write down what is happening in the story at that particular time that may give you a clue as to the true meaning, and do not forget to write down any questions you have for me.
Can you find examples of the following nine (9) items?
1. Communion (The partaking of food and/or drink):
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
2. Weather (clouds, lightning, rain, etc.)
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
3. The Hero’s Sidekick (You need to decide who will serve as the sidekick. Is Moses the sidekick of Yahweh? Or, do you see Yahweh as the sidekick of Moses? And even beyond that, could Aaron, Moses’ brother, serve as the sidekick? What about the Israelites who follow Moses? The possibilities are myriad here, so you make your decision based upon how you want to attack your essay.)
***Look for these examples:
· Nearly all sidekicks bite the dust, either figuratively or literally
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
· Sidekicks force the hero to grow and complete their quest
d. The Chapter(s)?
e. The page(s)?
f. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
4. Illness, Disease, Death, & Violence (includes Starvation and Thirst)
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
5. Symbols (animals, creatures, gods, spirits, rivers, mountains, time of day, supernatural events, etc.)
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
6. Political Conflict (for The Book of Exodus, political conflict can come in two forms: actual political conflict between Pharaoh Rameses II and the Israelite slaves/Moses/Yahweh, and/or political conflict could also be argued through the Pharaoh Rameses II [Egyptian God Horus] and Yahweh [God of the Israelites])
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
7. Flight (Think about symbolic freedom here; freedom may not always be the answer, but it gives you a starting place for your ideas and questions.)
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
8. Seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall: Think about what the characters mentally and physically experience at these times of the year, during their journey.)
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
9. Physical Afflictions (blindness, deafness, missing limbs, paralysis, being turned into a monster/demon, etc.)
a. The Chapter(s)?
b. The page(s)?
c. What is going on in the story here (one or two sentence summary)?
***You do not have to record every single instance of these nine (9) items from Israelite exodus, but you do need to give yourself enough information from this entire list to help you write an essay about these nine (9) items and their analytical meanings. The goal of your first upcoming essay is to begin to learn how to write like an articulate and educated student who reads and understands literature below the surface of the stories themselves. Remember: your essays are not “book reports.” They are not intended to tell me what “happens in the story.” I know the story; I’ve read it many times. But, I also know “the real story.” The Book of Exodus is not simply about the Israelite peoples journey from the chains of Egyptian slavery throught the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula and on to the Promised Land of milk of honey. There is a message of human trial and tribulation and a struggle to be free as a person and as people, and through the nine (9) devices listed above, you must figure out how to tell me that in your essay. And for goodness sakes, do not panic, and do not forget to write down any and all questions you have for me. Good luck!