| Modern Midrash: The Retelling of Traditional Jewish Narratives by Twentieth-Century Hebrew Writers Contributor(s): Jacobson, David C. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0887063233 ISBN-13: 9780887063237 Publisher: State University of New York Press OUR PRICE: $90.25 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: January 1987 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Jewish - History | Jewish - General |
| Dewey: 892.435 |
| LCCN: 86001949 |
| Lexile Measure: 1550 |
| Series: Suny Modern Jewish Literature and Culture |
| Physical Information: 0.75" H x 5.98" W x 9.02" (1.04 lbs) 220 pages |
| Themes: - Ethnic Orientation - Jewish |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This book explores a central phenomenon in the development of modern Jewish literature: the retelling of tradtional Jewish narratives by twentieth-century writers. It shows how and toward what ends Biblical stories, legends, and Hasidic tales have been used in shaping modern Hebrew literature. The author's impressive knowledge and careful analysis of both early and modern Hebrew texts reveal the main literary features of the genre, while making an important contribution to current discussions of the relationship between midrash and literature, the relationship between myth (and other traditional narratives) and modern literature, and the concept of intertextuality. The book also provides many fresh insights on the various issues of modern Jewish existence addressed in these works. Among these are: the revival of the Jewish tradition by reinterpreting it in light of new values, the preservation of Jewish identity entering into Western culture, the changing roles of men and women in Jewish culture, challenges to traditional Jewish views of sexuality, attempts to physically destroy the Jewish people, moral and political issues raised by the establishment of the State of Israel, and the conflict between Jews and Arabs. |