Parables, Proverbs and Psalms

Parables A parable is a brief narrative that teaches a moral or a lesson about life. Parables rely on the use of allegory—a story in which the characters, settings, and events stand for abstract or moral concepts. Because the characters, settings and events in t these narratives have a deeper meaning, symbolism is a frequent component of parables.

Parables Allegories can be read on one level for their literal meaning and on another for their symbolic meaning. Parable comes from a Greek word meaning “comparison,” indicating that the surface details in these brief stories can be compared to underlying abstract concepts.

Proverbs A proverb is a concise saying that expresses a common human truth or experience. Proverbs are usually intended to convey accumulated cultural wisdom and experience, advising people about common human failings, such as greed, stupidity, procrastination, and gullibility.

Proverbs Proverbs are often witty and full of wordplay, incorporating such literary elements as: Metaphor  (“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”) Alliteration (“He who laughs last laughs best”) Parallelism (“Where there’s a will, there’s a way”) Rhyme (“When the cat’s away, the mice will play”).

Psalms The Book of Psalms, which appears in the section of the Hebrew Bible called Writings, contains 150 poems that were combined into a single collection around the fourth century B.C. The origin of the word psalm, from the Greek word psalmos (meaning “a plucking of strings”) implies that the psalms were sung to musical accompaniment Psalms are generally songs of praise and adoration for God or something in God’s creation.

Literary Device: EPITHET An epithet is a term used to characterize a person or object. These capture the most known, admired, or despised quality about this person or object Epithets often become the ‘nickname’ of this person or object Epithets can occur either directly before or directly after the name of the person or object For example: Catherine the Great Swift-footed Achilles

Literary Device: PARALLELISM Parallelism is the repetition of words, phrases, or sentences that have the same grammatical structure or restate or contrast an idea This is also called parallel structure. An example would be: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The psalms use parallelism to create a sense of balance and order.

Literary Devices Cont. Paradox: Two truths that contradict one another Ex: When I am weak, then I am strong. Allusion: References to other places, people, literature, etc. seen in writing Ex. The young woman felt like Leah, in love with a man who would not love her back.

Other Literary Devices: Review Alliteration: Use of the same consonant sound at the beginning of two or more words Rhyme: End rhyme: the last words of each line rhyme Internal rhyme: two words within a line rhyme Metaphor: Direct comparison between two unlike objects

Literary Device Analysis “While the cat’s away, the mice will play.” Parallelism: Creates a cause-effect relationship between the cat and the mouse. If one does _____, the other does ______. Rhyme: The rhyming of away and play makes the expression easier to memorize, and makes this proverb seem more lighthearted and easy to understand. Metaphor: The cat is a metaphor for a person in charge, and the mouse is a metaphor for someone who has to obey the person in charge.

The Prodigal Son/ The Talents Summarize what happens in these stories. What is the moral or lesson that this story intends to teach? What do these two stories reflect about the culture of the people who wrote them? What values/priorities allow success in these stories? What values/priorities lead to failure in these stories? Do you notice the use of any literary devices in these stories? Cite at least 3 specific examples. If you met someone who lived by the meaning of these stories, how would you expect him/her to act? How would he/she treat others?

Zen Parables Read the parable once. Record, in your own words, what LITERALLY happens– focus on the events only. Re-read the parable again. Record, in your own words, what the ‘wiser’ character says. Then, consider: What is the last thing said in the parable? What does this mean FIGURATIVELY? In other words, what is the message BENEATH what is being said? Record at least TWO meanings of the parable.

AFRICAN PROVERBS For many African cultures, proverbs are far more than quaint old sayings; they are tools of argument and debate. Proverbs are used to settle legal disputes, resolve ethical problems, and teach children the philosophy of their people. They represent a poetic form that uses few words to achieve great depth of meaning. Speakers who know and use proverbs have power within the community. More than one modern African leader has turned to the wisdom of proverbs in order to affirm decisions and to gain popular support and respect.

AFRICAN PROVERBS Read the proverbs provided to you. As we did in the warmup, re-state their literal meaning first. Then, expand on the literal statement made in the proverb. Apply the proverb to an actual situation involving people. What values does this proverb stress? Be prepared to present your findings!

Literary Device Analysis In the proverb you were assigned, look for any of the literary devices we just discussed: Parallelism Metaphor Alliteration Rhyme For each one that you can identify, explain how this literary device enhances the meaning of the proverb, as we just did with our examples. Your response should be formatted the same way.

PSALM 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.° He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil;° my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.