The distinction between story and discourse in the analysis of biblical narrative
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Date
Authors
Van der Bergh, Ronald Henry
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch University: Department of Ancient Studies
Abstract
The distinction between story and discourse has become all but canonical in
narratology. This article investigates the viability of this approach with reference to
the narratological analysis of biblical narratives. It is shown that the distinction is
indeed necessary, although the traditional approach should be modified. Discourse,
rather than story, should be the starting point of any narratological analysis. This
leads to the concept of an “implied story, which can be used as an analytical tool in
the analysis of narrative. Special attention is given to the application of this new
approach to biblical narrative, with an example drawn from a comparison of
Isa 36:1-22 and 2 Kgs 18:13-37.
Description
This article is a revised version of a chapter of the author’s thesis submitted to
the Ancient Languages Department of the University of Pretoria in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the MA degree in Ancient Languages and
Cultures. The study was supervised by Prof. G T M Prinsloo.
Keywords
Story and discourse, Narratological analysis, Biblical narratives
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Van der Bergh, R 2008, 'The distinction between story and discourse in the analysis of biblical narrative', Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 83-98.