Fall+of+Trust

Fall of Trust  Audio Cast: media type="file" key="FINALD.m4a" width="300" height="50" align="center"

 Introduction:  While translating Genesis, the translators had to analyze how each character would respond to each situation given. Each character must have its own unique personality that shows through the wording in each of their dialogues. But where are the conversations that happen in between each significant incident? These are the conversations left out of Genesis, as well as the conversations that provide incredible insight to who each of these characters really are. This project was to re-create one of these conversations that never happened in Genesis, and apply the specific character traits that make the characters who they are. On this wiki page you will find a webspiration chart outlining my original thoughts, the missing dialogue between Isaac and Abraham after the sacrifice to God, analysis of these two characters in various forms, an audio cast of this dialogue, and lastly, a reflection of my thoughts on the process and outcome of this assignment.

Webspiration Chart:   Dialogue:  Abraham: Bring me the goat, my son.
 * Fall of Trust; Sacrifice of Fear ** 

Isaac: Here father. Here I give you the innocent goat.


 * Sound of rattling. Goat scream.*

God: Thank you, Abraham. You have fulfilled your duties, you may continue on now.

Abraham: It was my honor, sir.

Isaac: If we are all God's children...why does God wish to hurt some of us? Why does God wish for sacrifices to be made for him?

Abraham: I don't know son. I don't know. Now let's head back down to the others, and not mention this incident again.


 * Sound of footsteps in gravel*

Isaac: Father?

Abraham: Here I am.

Isaac: Were you really going to sacrifice me to the Lord?

Abraham: I thought we weren't going to mention what happened up on the mountain.

Isaac: I understand, father. But as your son, I want to know.

Abraham: *Sigh* Being my son. I guess you have the right to know. And as hard as the truth might be…yes Isaac, my intentions were to sacrifice you to God.


 * Uncomfortable silence*

Isaac: Why? I thought you cared for me and my well being father. I thought I meant the world to you.

Abraham: The Lord is powerful, my son. More powerful than you and I. He favors some, while despises others. He controls what we normal humans do, and when we don't follow through, He is not afraid to punish us.

Isaac: No, father that does not answer my question. Do not blame God because he did no wrong. Explain to me why YOU would do something like this.

Abraham: I only want what is best for you, my child. If I were to not have shown my commitment to the Lord, he may have punished you along with me. I do not want you to suffer, the way I sometimes must. You are my son, Isaac, and I will do anything to protect you.

Isaac: Father, you bound your own son to a rock to sacrifice to the Lord, in the eyes of many, that is not a form of protection. You chose the Lord over me; you chose my death over your own suffering. You put yourself before your son. I was put into a vulnerable position, and you did nothing to stop it. It is difficult for me to have trust in you anymore, Father, you betrayed me.

Abraham: But Isaac, you must understand. The Lord has blessed us now.

Isaac: No Father, the Lord has blessed you.


 * Sound of footsteps in gravel*

Abraham: Isaac stop. You must forgive me. I have truly made a mistake, which I for one will never let myself forget. As for you, I wish for you to forget all that has happened in the past, all the pain I have caused you, and all the mistakes I have made that have hurt you.

Isaac: I wish for myself to forget as well. But the mistakes have been made, and the trust has been lost, and the defenselessness I felt, will never be forgotten. You have hurt me father. Why? I do not know that answer-

Abraham: It’s because I fear God. I fear all of the power he possesses and the ability He has to harm me. I was hesitant, Isaac, to sacrifice you to the Lord, because I love you and you are my son. But I fear God.

Isaac: You fear God. I fear God. We all FEAR God, father. But what one will do for a family member, parents, children, or siblings, triumphs the fear one should have.

 Genesis Character Analysis:

Although Abraham is passionate about his son Isaac, his fear of God explains his inhumane actions towards his son. To test Abraham’s devotion of God, God puts Abraham in a situation, in which Abraham must choose either God or Isaac. When God sees that Abraham will willingly sacrifice his own son in order to show God his passion for him, God stops Abraham and states, “’For now I know that you fear God’” (Gen. 22.12). The fear Abraham has of God, explains the reasoning behind the situation. Abraham’s fear transforms into devotion, causing him to be willing to sacrifice his own son, Isaac. Abraham has the capability to put God before his son, and the fear and devotion that Abraham has for God contributes to the factors that result in showing God’s dominance over the other characters in //Genesis//. God’s dominance throughout //Genesis// comes from the other characters worshiping him and looking to him for guidance. The characters in //Genesis// ingratiate themselves with God to show their commitment to him, in return for land and a long line of descendants.

Is the commitment to God, devotion to God, and fear of God all the same thing? A painting of Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac, demonstrates all these factors, along with the aspect of Abraham’s passion about his son. The painting shows Isaac tied up on a rock with Abraham standing tall above him, with his arms held high in the air, preparing to sacrifice his son. Abraham’s arms held high over his head and reaching for the sky shows Abraham as a worshiper and strong follower of God. Although, if inspected closely, there is a slight pain or hurting expression seen on Abraham’s face. The pain shown is for his son, Isaac. Although Abraham would willingly sacrifice his son for God, a passion lurks behind Abraham’s commitment to God, which demonstrates the love a father has for his son. The father and son bond, or the family bond was a large theme portrayed throughout Genesis. All parents want to do is protect their children and descendants, but sometimes, God may get in the way.

Isaac is trusting of his father, Abraham, but this trust diminishes along with the devotion Isaac once held for his father, when Abraham puts Isaac in a vulnerable situation making him weak and defenseless. As Isaac and Abraham begin their hike up Moriah, Isaac’s trust in his father is still present, although Abraham continues to lie to his son. After Isaac asks his father where the lamb for the burnt offering is, and Abraham responds with a lie, the passage mentions states, “So the two of them walked on together” (Gen. 22.8). Isaac and Abraham walking together demonstrates the unity in the trusting relationship, before Abraham breaks this bond of father and son. The bond of father and son, throughout //Genesis//, helps contribute to the major cultural value, the importance of children. The importance of his children was critical for Abraham, although he was the one responsible for putting Isaac in the vulnerable situation and making him weak.

A painting of Isaac being sacrificed by Abraham, shows Isaac bound up, curled in a ball, and completely defenseless. Isaac’s body positioning, and the way his hands are tied together behind his back, shows the lack of power and control he has over his father during this incident. Abraham is portrayed as overpowering and dominating of his son, and in turn it seems as if Isaac is getting taken advantage of. Parents overpowering their children is a main idea represented throughout //Genesis//. The parents seem to always be controlling their children, with what they can and can’t do, and who or who not to marry. Children are simply puppets, while their parents are the ventriloquists.

 Dialogue Protagonist Analysis: Isaac's character traits portrayed in McCarthy's dialogue differ slightly compared to the way Isaac is represented in Genesis by the redactors. In Genesis, Isaac is shown as weak, fragile, and vulnerable, with no power or authority over or against his father. In McCarthy's dialogue, Isaac's character traits take a different path. McCarthy develops Isaac's character throughout the dialogue from a vulnerable and defenseless young boy, to a man with dignity, determination, and a sense of control and power or his father. McCarthy demonstrates Isaac growth and developmental aspects throughout the entire dialogue.

As Isaac and Abraham begin to walk down the mountain after the goat sacrifice, Isaac asks his father, "Were you really going to sacrifice me to the Lord?" (McCarthy). Isaac still has the vulnerability in him, and has a difficult time accepting what had happened moments before. He questions his father and his fathers decisions, McCarthy uses this as a gateway leading to the maturing of Isaac and his relationship with his father. Isaac learns to take control of the situation and speak up to his father. As Isaac and his father begin to approach the bottom of the mountain, Isaac says to his father, "[T]he trust has been lost...You have hurt me father. Why? I do not know that answer-" (McCarthy). As Isaac recounts the pain and vulnerability he felt as Abraham was moments away from killing his son, Isaac realizes that he must rise above his father. Isaac never wants to feel what he felt moments from being sacrificed, Isaac wants to feel powerful and in charge, but to do so, he must first conquer his own father.

Reflection: This english project enlightened me to say the least. When this project was first assigned months ago, I was not thrilled. I felt that I would have a difficult time with the dialogue and analysis. As I began the project, I did not feel the stress that usually comes with many english projects assigned, and I felt comfortable with the material I was working with (Abraham sacrificing Isaac). Although, after every re draft I made to my dialogue, I felt less and less confident with each one. Then the analysis was due, I did not feel confident about that piece either; the project was becoming hard and stressful.

I believe I could have done exceptionally better on my dialogue and analysis, but the overall experience with this assignment was exciting. Throughout the entire project, recording the dialogue was the most enjoyable. Having the capability to change and re-work my voice was amusing, and I hope to have entertaining projects such as this one in sophomore year.

Artist Information: The artist of the painting shown above under "Gender Character Analysis" is unknown. This painting depicts Abraham moments away from sacrificing his son, Isaac, atop the mountain of Moriah. The painting is done in water color with smooth and fragile brush strokes on a material other than canvas. Water color is a form of painting which allows the artist to paint harsh scenes with soft coloring and textures. For more information on water color visit this site.

This painting depicts Abraham as nervous and feeling guilty for the actions he is seconds away from taking. Isaac is shown bound to a rock in a fetal position representing his vulnerability at this point in the incident.

Citations: Habib, Murtaza. "Watercolor Painting-Some Basic Information." Ezine Articles. 21 Oct. 2008. Web. 19 May 2010. <http://ezinearticles.com/?Watercolor-Painting---Some-Basic-Information&id=1602941>.

"Mother Stories from the Old Testament." The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mother Stories from the Old Testament. Web. 19 May 2005. <http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17162-h/17162-h.htm>.

Stewart, David. "Are We Justified by Faith and Works?" Jesus is Savior. Web. 19 May 2010. <http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Believer's%20Corner/Doctrines/faith_and_works.htm>.

The New Oxford Annotated Bible. Ed. Michael D. Coogan. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 1989. Print.

"Watercolor Painting is Easy." Watercolor Painting. Web. 19 May 2010. <http://www.mrgoldmansartroom.com/WatercolorPainting1/html>.

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