Reversals+of+Fortune

=INTRODUCTION = **REVERSALS OF FORTUNE** By C. Davidson

Ever wonder about Adam's thoughts and feelings after being kicked out of Paradise? Did he think it was unfair?Was it just? Or have you ever concluded how Joseph managed to maintain devotion to God, even though his life was fraught with misfortunes? The answers are here: a long time ago, friends Joseph and Adam crossed each other's past and shared their experiences. Especially with the fiesty personality Adam has, no one said the conversation was peaceful.

A recent project assignment for our English I class, //Conversations that Never Happened//, instructed us to create an original dialogue between two characters from Genesis that conveyed two of their character traits found in the text of Genesis and in artists' paintings. In addition, we were instructed to assemble a webpage that included the script, its recording, analysis of the two characters, background information on the artists, in addition to dialogue analysis and a brief, personal reflection on the assignment.

Immediately following the introduction, I knew I wanted one of my characters to be Joseph, for his entertaining story had always been my favorite story of Genesis. I also thought it would be interesting to provide an insight into Adam's mind after God expelled him from Eden. The two characters' lives progressed in opposite ways: Adam went from having everything to having nothing, while Joseph's fortunes were the opposite. After brainstorming ideas, I decided to create an interaction between the two opposite characters after Joseph's struggles and while Adam was in agony. The conversation starts out friendly but soon becomes hostile.

media type="file" key="My Song 5.mp3" width="300" height="50" align="center" = = = = = CHARACTER ANALYSIS = Though the unfortunate Joseph endured extremely poor treatment from his brothers, Joseph’s devotion to God makes forgiving them come easily. In the wake of a childhood in which Joseph’s brothers despise him, the brothers determine to sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt. In the painting //Joseph Sold By His Brothers//, the artist depicts Joesph’s pain and his cruel, selfish brothers well as Joseph looks back, pleading and powerless, upon his brothers fighting over their new money. Through his helpless gaze and frowning face gazing longingly back towards his brothers, Joseph’s agony echoes his tough pastimes and his future misfortunes, such as the time when he is sent to prison in Egypt for allegedly sleeping with Potiphar’s wife.
 * JOSEPH **

However, Joseph does eventually overcome his misfortunes as God stays with him; enabling Joseph to rise to new heights as the second-most powerful figure in Egypt. His resulting utter devotion to God reflects upon his reunion with his eleven brothers years later when he reveals to them his true identity. “‘Do not be afraid!’” he says, “‘Even though you [brothers] intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good’”(Gen. 50.19-20) In spite of his brothers’ dishonorable actions, Joseph understands that God sent him to Egypt to save people from starvation during the seven-year famine. Because God helped Joseph out of his misfortunes, Joseph is completely devoted to his will and only finds concern with what “‘God intended’” to do, for it must be good. Once Joseph’s brothers are granted forgiveness, Joseph’s family comes to him in Egypt where they happily live out the rest of their years together.

**ADAM ** As a result of Adam’s ungratefulness for the paradise God spoils him with, Adam becomes ashamed and regretful when God expels him from Eden. On the seventh d ay of the Creation of Earth, God creates Adam, the first human being. In addition to giving him life, God places Adam in the extraordinary Garden of Eden, a beautiful, bountiful paradise. God informs him, “‘I have given you every plant…every tree…every beast…everything that has the breath of life’” (Gen. 1.29-30) In spite of having “everything”, Adam fails to show graciousness to God, especially when he does not respect God’s only wish, to refrain from eating from the Tree of Knowledge. Consequently, God expels Adam from the garden.

Adam, now unprotected from the mysterious world outside of Eden, finally feels ashamed of himself and his actions against God. In the painting //The Expulsion from Eden//, the artist depicts Adam’s shame and regret as he bows is head and buries his face in his hands; powerless under God’s will. Adam’s ungraciousness bars him from the amazing world he loved.

= ARTIST INFO =




 * TOMMASO MASACCIO** was an famous 15th-century painter of the Italian Renaissance era. His work, //The Expulsion from Eden//, is a great example of Masaccio's painting style which exemplified a precise understanding of scientific perspective and proportions and moved away from the Gothic style with realism. Masaccio's work and style heavily influenced other artists of his time, even though his career was extremely short (he died at age 26). //The// //Expulsion from Eden, i//n particular, is recognized to have influenced the renowned Michelangelo greatly.

**THE PROVIDENCE LITHOGRAPH COMPANY, based in Providence, Rhode Island, ** designed and issued images or famous paintings on cards beginning in 1868 to American families, most of which included Biblical scenes. //Joseph Sold By His Brothers// was a 1907 print of a company illustration distributed to Protestant churches for Sunday school materials nationwide. These "Bible Cards" were used as media for children's religious education purposes as well as published in books and periodicals in the region as well as nation-wide.

= = = **THE SCRIPT** = 
 * Narrator: ** *horse hooves* Somewhere in ancient Mesopotamia, Joseph is on vacation; riding around in his chariot wearing fine clothes when he sees his friend Adam wearily plowing a field. Joseph, happy to see his old friend but startled by his appearance, hops out of his chariot to talk to Adam.


 * Joseph:** Adam? Is that you?


 * Adam** //(wearily)//**:** Hi, Joseph. It's good to see you.


 * Joseph:** Adam, what's happened to you? I thought you and Eve were still living in Eden...why would you ever want to leave there?


 * Adam** //(sighs)//**:** God threw us out! He got all pissed off because Eve and I ate some fruit from his special tree when he told us not to.


 * thunder clap*


 * Joseph:** Forgive him, Lord, he knows not what he's saying.


 * Adam:** Sorry, sorry. Anyway, //(jealously)// things must be //fantastic// for you, as the Pharaoh's best buddy or whatever.


 * Joseph**: Um, it wasn't exactly a tea party getting there. Believe me, I've had more than my fair share of suffering.


 * Adam** //(unconvinced)//**:** Really. (//sarcastically//) I don't think paradise has been taken from you.


 * Joseph** //(annoyed)//**:** Oh, please, at least you were fortunate enough to live most of your years there! You had everything you could have possibly ever wanted. God was so generous to you, but should he give you one rule, only ONE little rule, you go off and disobey it! You spoiled brats deserve it!


 * Adam** (//challenging//)**:** Look at what you're wearing! And your chariot! Looks like solid gold to me. If anyone's a spoiled brat, it's YOU. I have NOTHING now.


 * Joseph:** What you see is only the image of my recent years.


 * Adam** (//sarcastically//)**:** Oh yeah, it was real tough before that. Only diamonds then, not gold.


 * Joseph:** Adam... (//pause//) My entire childhood I had been isolated in my family; an enemy of my brothers. They, my own flesh and blood, hated me so much they conspired to kill me. Luckily, their value of money over murder spared my life--I was sold as a slave.

**Adam:** Oh...


 * Joseph:** I wound up in Egypt, of all places, and after brief success I was thrown in prison for two years, drowning in my misfortunes once again. Do you know what that feels like? Digging the deepest you've ever dug for hope?


 * Adam:** Okay, now wait a minute-


 * Joseph**: But God stayed with me, so I am his servant. He put my life back on track when all hope was lost. He helped me obtain the position where I have control over ignorant fools, like you, who drown in the good fortunes God gave them but suffer because they give nothing but disrespect in return!


 * Adam:** Seriously, Joseph, come on. Do you honestly think I don't regret my actions? Every morning I wake up, expecting to see paradise all around me, but now all I see is a shabby old tent. You don't understand--I never //knew// a world outside of Eden. I didn't know what I would be missing!


 * Joseph:** ( //dramatically// ) All that God gave you, and you disobeyed him! *thunder*

**Adam:** (//dramatic pause//) I know. My behavior was wrong. I wish I could have a second chance, you have no idea what that place meant to me. I can't believe I was so ungrateful for my good fortunes. You're right, I do deserve it.


 * Joseph:** No...No, Adam, you don't. I forgive you; we're only human. Everyone gets greedy sometimes.


 * Adam:** I wish God felt the same way.


 * Joseph:** Adam, though your intentions may have been wrong, God's intentions were to warn future generations of the consequences of disobeying him. Think of it this way: you have helped spare much of mankind in the future of the pain you are experiencing now. It's all for the greater good, and I admire you for that.

**Adam:** Thanks, Joseph. That makes me feel a little better. = DIALOGUE ANALYSIS =

The very first glimpse at Adam's character shapes him to be a disrespectful person as he indicates to Joseph that "[God] got all pissed off", using casual, disrespectful language even around such an important, divine figure. He continues on to wallow in his depression at his seemingly unbearable but common life, suggesting that he was spoiled with riches instead of having to work like everyone else before, even as Joseph hints that Adam was "fortunate enough to live most of [his] years there". Instead of ever thanking God for what he has, Adam still feels sorry for himself and fires the "spoiled brat" line right back at Joseph, still neglecting to deny that Adam himself was once spoiled. The ordinary life Adam now has does not suit his excessive needs, as he claims he "[has] NOTHING now." The plot thickens as Adam's challenging words mock Joseph, causing Joseph's thoughts and words to turn against Adam, increasing tension between the characters and in the story line. Adam appears to have the intention of starting a fight and wallowing in self-pity.

Readers become more sympathetic with Adam as the story progresses further, as Adam provides us with more insight into his soul: "You don't understand--I never knew a world outside of Eden. I didn't know what I would be missing!" His statement shakes things up as readers imagine themselves living in an amazing world, not understanding life behind it, and the readers begin to understand his point of view--he just did not know any better. Upon beginning to open up to Joseph the slightest bit, Adam slides out of his ungrateful exterior and understands that his "behavior was wrong", that he was "so ungrateful for my good fortunes" and realizes "I do deserve it." Adam's remorse is clear: "I wish I could have a second chance".

Joseph, on the other hand, readers are sympathetic with early on as he reveals to Adam what life was like before the gold, the fame, and the glamour; telling stories of isolation, slavery and imprisonment. Wording in the script and delivery in the recording indicate Joseph's pain at recalling his unfortunate past, as he questions Adam: "Do you know what that feels like? Digging the deepest you've ever dug for hope?", suggesting that the pain is nothing short of terrible to experience. He acts coldly to Adam who, on the outside, does not appear to be able to comprehend Joseph's pain and turns to insults, because Adam had an amazing life in Eden while juxtaposed Joseph sat in a prison cell while in slavery in Egypt.

Joseph's attitude towards Adam changes once Adam reveals his current misfortunes and thoughts; the two connect over their struggles. Joseph immediately considers God, who carried Joseph through his tough times, and it occurs to Joseph that "God's intentions...to warn future generations" may have overpowered whatever thoughts Adam had. "I forgive you; we're only human," Joseph says. Thinking of his extravagances such as his gold chariot, he assures Adam: "Everyone gets greedy sometimes." This turn-around in Joseph's opinion, however, occurs after only brief insights from Adam, suggesting that Joseph is extremely quick in finding ways to forgive.

= REFLECTION =



A Webspiration Outline I used to brainstorm. //The Conversations that Never Happened// Wiki project was a interesting, unique way to enable us students to learn how to analyze characters in addition to how to characterize on our own. The project combined technology and standard analysis writing, leaving room for personal creativity.

Though we needed to meet a few deadlines, the majority of the project was assembled on our own time. Wanting to avoid pulling an all-nighter rushing to complete the project, I tried to make good use of some of my free time to work on the project in the weeks prior to the due date. Although I achieved this goal, feeling like I have worked ahead fairly considerably on the project, I feel like I have a little too much to do left the night before it's due (right now!). I think I underestimated the total time each section of the project would consume, and from this project I take away the understanding to plot out exactly how much time each aspect of future projects will take as to avoid being "swamped".

The project itself completed the goal of teaching me characterization. Building an entire dialogue focused around specific traits has now armored me with new techniques to develop personality traits, which include even just imagining the exact way the character I have conjured up in my head would talk. Modeling my characters after general or specific outside examples (Adam was intended to be an arrogant person with a tough exterior who has feelings but conceals them; I formed Joseph after Donny Osmond's interpretation of the Joseph character, a role he played in the musical //Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat//) really helped me shape the characters I wanted to develop, as I imagined, "How would this person react?"

In addition, I learned or developed my understanding of how to use technologies such as GarageBand, WikiSpaces, as well as Webspiration. This is where, in addition to the dialogue itself, my creativity and style could kick in. I learned how to bring my characters to life while recording, in addition setting the scene with sound effects and laying out the project itself on the WikiSpace. These are all valuable resources conveniently available to us and now I know exactly how to use them.

= = = = = CITATIONS =

 Ceruti, Serge, and Gerard Dufor. "The fall." Pictures of the Bible. N.p., 2008. Web. 18 May 2010. .

"File:Joseph Sold by His Brothers.jpg." Wikimedia Commons. N.p., 6 Jan. 2010. Web. 19 May 2010. .

Load Storm. Customer Centrix, 2010. Web. 19 May 2010. .

"Reference for Masaccio." Search.com Reference. CBS Interactive., 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Stattler, Rick. "Providence Lithograph Company Records." Rhode Island Historical Society. N.p., 1998. Web. 19 May 2010. .

Weblog post. He Shot Cyrus. Blogspot, 1 Dec. 2008. Web. 19 May 2010. .