Women as Heroes in the Patrirchal Society: The Roles of Susanna, Esther and Judith

There are many memorable narratives from ancient Judaism, yet there are three stories in particular which offer as central figures women who function in independent and decisive ways. The stories of Susanna, Esther, and Judith invite analysis for their lively depiction of women in ways that both confirm and contradict patriarchal assumptions. In these narratives there are defining examples of the use of prayer by women. The prayers employed by these women in their struggles are at times distinctly feminine, yet at other times are indistinguishable in form from prayers of men. In each narrative, the plots involve the power of eroticism and the tension created by male desire, which makes the women both vulnerable and powerful. Perhaps the most striking feature of each narrative, and one which offers a contradiction of patriarchal assumptions, is each woman’s capacity to make decisions and speak for herself and for others in ways which preserve each heroine and ultimately preserve society.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• McKee, Rebecca

• Ancient Jewish narratives

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/14763

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/14763