Literary Analysis Paper
Compose a 6-7 page paper that presents a historical and literary analysis of the following texts:
Jeremiah 7:115, Ezekiel 810 and Lamentations 1:12:9. Keeping in mind the description of the
last years of the monarchy in 2 Kings 2125, consider how each text presents its own
interpretation of the Babylonian exile. In this paper, I want you to build your analysis around the
following question: how does each text attempt to convey or explain the reality and meaning of
the exile? That is, what was to blame for the exile according to each text? Identify what you think
are the most important images or expressions in each text and organize your paper around your
analysis of each text. I will evaluate your paper in large part by how well it demonstrates an
understanding of some of the larger content and themes covered in our class.
Your paper should include an introductory paragraph and a couple of paragraphs near the
beginning of your paper that give a brief introduction to the historical context of the Babylonian
exile. Your introduction paragraph should not be longer than a half-page. Underline your main
argument or thesis. The thesis should make a statement about how the literary aesthetics of these
biblical texts convey something about the meaning of the Babylonian exile. Then your body
paragraphs will support this argument by taking the reader through the three texts and analyzing
their use of language. Make sure that your topic sentences articulate an argument about a literary
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aesthetic or theme of a particular section of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Lamentations. Use the topic
sentences to tell the reader what you are arguing about that section of text. Use the readings from
Remember that a rich literary analysis offers more than observations about the meaning of
words. Think about how the passage conveys meaning beyond the use of words. Show the reader
the language of passage when it is necessary to establish how you arrived at your conclusions.
Use Collins and the NOAB to develop your understanding of the historical context and social
location of each text. Your paper must also use at least one critical commentary for each of the
three biblical books (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Lamentations). The Young Research Library has
many of such commentaries, but I would recommend the following series: Old Testament
Library, Hermeneia, and Anchor Yale Bible. Other critical commentaries in the UCLA libraries
are also very good options if you cannot locate these. Use MLA. Attach a Works Cite page of no
fewer than six secondary sources (not including the assigned textbooks). Use the following
resources to help you develop your research:
o Jstor.org
o Google.scholar.com
o
o Schedule a research consultation with a librarian:
please make sure to hit all requirements, be accurate and if needed ASK FOR MORE RESOURCES. this is a jewish studies class. please make sure to do everything very accurately. I attached full description