This assignment is a little different than past exercises. Normally I’d ask students to work in groups to create a performance or a performance text. With this exercise I’m asking you to work individually to create both a performance text and an interpretive statement.
Create an adaptation of Genesis 22: 1 – 19 that includes a performance script (about 250 words) and an interpretive statement (about 150 words).
In developing your performance script and interpretive statement:
What moral or ethical problems are raised through the story?
Who is absent? Who is there but not there?
What is not said or articulated? Here you might think about the interior thoughts of all of the characters that have skin in the game: Abraham, Isaac, Sarah, the angel, the “two lads”, God, etc.
Think of the story as an allegory.
Consider varied adaptations, even radically different settings. You do not need to recreate a biblical setting.
Perhaps approach the story as a metaphor about parents and children, bosses and workers, political leaders and followers, or the state and its citizens.
Remember that in addition to the performance script, you’ll need to compose an interpretive statement that explains what you’re aiming to say through the performance. That is, don’t merely describe the performance: explain how the performance text is itself an interpretation. You might the distinction on between the two in this way: the performance script is a creative work, and it “shows” rather than “tells”; the interpretive statement, on the other hand, “tells.” You might think of the interpretive statement as the kind of analytical work you did earlier in the semester in response to “Allegory of the Cave” or Sappho’s poetry.
Learning goals:
Recognize abstractions.
Develop a meaningful interpretation.
Produce an analysis of your own interpretation.
Create something new from your reading experience.
The basics:
Do not treat the text of Genesis as a script to be copied. Create something new and different. [Hint: Feel free to imagine a different approach or setting than the biblical story.]
The performance script should be constructed as a dialogue and be about 250 words in length. Be sure to explain the setting.
The interpretative statement should be about 150 words in length.
Post the performance script and interpretive statement together in one entry.
Please be sure that each is clearly identified.
As with all assignments, the rules of academic honesty apply. For this assignment I am asking that you NOT use a generative AI tool for composing the performance script and interpretive statement. However, you may use an AI tool to brainstorm approaches and if you do use it for this purpose please be sure to note this in your posted work.