The Danger of Single Stories

Chimamanda Adichie sites a number of examples of single stories that she was presented with as a child.  Are you aware of any single stories that you have encountered in your own life? Stories that make it seem like everyone has the same experience but you realize that the story isn't as accurate as it seems? If so, what was that realization like? If not, was it difficult to imagine what Adichie was describing? This is an open forum so feel free to share as much as you're comfortable sharing.

The Literary Significance of the Bible

At this point, we've read many of the most well-known stories from Genesis.  After spending these weeks discussing the ways in which Genesis is different from many other pieces of literature that you've encountered before, now I would like you to consider in what ways Genesis may be an important example of literature for us to study.  After discussing the various themes, the difference between flat and round characters, and the many other elements we've discussed, what do you think is the purpose and value of studying Genesis in an English class? For whatever reasons you offer, please provide some illustrative examples of those reasons from the text. You do not need to quote specific lines--though you are welcome to--but you should refer to particular stories.

God's Favoritism

At this point in our reading, we have encountered many examples of God and also parents favoring one child over the other.  This favoritism is not secret, but rather is overt and generally results in the favorite son receiving many more favors, honors, gifts, etc. Based on the various examples of favoritism we have seen throughout all of Genesis (beginning with Cain and Abel and ending with Joseph and his brothers) do there seem to be any qualities, characteristics or logical reasons behind who becomes the favorite and who does not? Or does it appear somewhat random? What do you think the meaning and significance of this favoritism is? Please be sure to discuss at least 3 sets of siblings in your response.

Flat vs. Round Characters

Throughout the chapters we have read in The Bible thus far, a number of difficult, upsetting and even traumatic events have occurred for the characters in The Bible, but how those characters feel about what has happened is rarely shared or discussed in the chapters. In literary terms, the characters in The Bible are known as "flat" or "one dimensional" characters, which means that they are not written as complex human beings, but rather as characters who serve a particular purpose in the plot.  Why might creating stories with "flat" characters be a strategy for the writers of The Bible? What role might "flat" characters play? What goals might they help to achieve? Are there drawbacks to having "flat" characters? Are there any characters who do not appear to be "flat" characters in The Bible?
 
As you answer these questions, please refer to specific stories and characters to illustrate your point.