Synopses & Reviews
Review
"White's readings are decidedly original without displacing entirely the insights gained from more widely practiced methods of literary or historically oriented study. White joins the relatively few biblical scholars who have successfully integrated sophisticated and mature philosophical reflection with careful literary reading. By the shear forces of this work, he challebges on the one hand those professional readers who impatiently decry any need of tough-minded theory, and on the other hand, those who malign the theorists as unskilled, or uninterested, in serious reading. It is a stunning acheivement." Journal of the American Academy of Religion
Synopsis
This book makes an important contribution to our understanding of the Book of Genesis.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [297]-305) and indexes.
Table of Contents
Preface; Part I. A Functional Theory of Narrative: 1. Toward a functional theory of narrative; 2. The functions of the sign; 3. A functional definition of narrative; 4. A typology of narrative functions and modes; 5. The three functional narrative types; Part II. The Structure of the Genesis Narrative: 6. The Divine Voice and the narrative functions in Genesis; 7. The micro-dialogue as the matrix of the Genesis narrative; Part III. Analysis of Genesis Narratives: 8. 'Who told you that you were naked?' (Gen. 2,3); 9. 'Where is your Brother?' (Gen. 4): excursus on Sacrifice in Religion and Literature; 10. The central micro-dialogue (Gen. 12: 1-3); 11. 'Why did you say ...'.