Portrayal of the woman character in the two creation narratives in Genesis : a feminist reading

Abstract

This study is an exploration of the “Portrayal of the Woman Character in Genesis 1 and 2 through a Feminist Perspective.” Through a close examination of the two creation narratives, the study seeks to uncover the cultural ties, complexities and patriarchal tone surrounding the text and ultimately depicting women as subordinate to men. Drawing on a feminist lens (Intersectional Feminist Approach), the study pays attention to the Hebrew language, the author’s worldview and influence, cultural context which contributed to the reception of the text, and ultimately made a way for issues such as power dynamics, gender roles, gender disparity, gender based violence, systemic oppression and hierarchical systems. The critical analysis of these narratives aims to shed light on the ways in which the biblical portrayal of the woman character in Genesis 1 and 2 intersects with the contemporary issues. Subsequently, the study is purposed to encourage a continuous interpretation of the text which might provide a new insight and meaning that is without cultural and androcentric biasness, eventually assigning the woman character the position that God bestowed for her right from the beginning of her creation.