Irony+of+an+Angel

=Irony of an Angel = By E. Young A cocky angel decideds to pick a fight with Jacob. While alone in preparation for Esau's arrival, Jacob stumbles across a mysteriously over-confident angel whose prim motive simply being the pleasure of victory in defeating a 'lesser life form.' Jacob, not nearly equal in physical strength to an immortal, survives the fight with his active mind. Eventually brain wins over brawns, receiving both a broken hip and a blessing in turn.

The Genesis Conversation Project is designed to scrutinize multiple characters found within Genesis. The next step involved choosing two characters and a situation where a painting of the same topic could be found on the Internet. The painting was then analyzed through Webspiration charts and in-class writing. A dialogue between one's two characters was formed, later to be recorded with a partner and analyzed for character traits. A reflection was completed as a final wrap up to the entire project. ** Would you fight an angel? **

Audio Conversation
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Dialogue
Narrator: On a dark night, when the sky was tinted with a deep blue light, Jacob moved his family from one side of the Jabbok River to the other. On this chilled evening one could see his breath in great white puffs in front of him. The marshy-padded ground concealed the sound of Jacob's family's footsteps, leaving a good margin for the thunderous turn of the river* to take its place. Approaching river bank the reeds around them grew increasingly thicker and Jacob took lead forging the way for everyone. At the water's edge Jacob sends his family across, "Jacob was left alone."

Jacob : "Well I guess I better prepare myself, Esau will arrive tomorrow." Narrator: Keeping his eyes and ears open, Jacob continues to travel the length of the bank. He feels something odd about the very air around him.

Jacob : "Who's there?"

Narrator: A tall figure steps from a thicket of reeds not five feet away from the spot where Jacob is standing. His stature towers over all men, and casting a stormy look in Jacob's direction his intimidation begins. Jacob : "Woah."

*Cricket noise (silence)

Narrator: Holding his ground Jacob asks the question again.

Jacob : "Who goes there? What do they call you?"

Narrator: The shadowy figure does not respond, but instead glides forward almost touching noses with Jacob. Then the figure pushes Jacob.

Jacob : "What was that for? I didn't do anything to you."

Narrator: After continual pushing from the stranger Jacob finally puts up his hands to resist the attacking force.

Jacob : "Enough already, okay?"

Angel : "Is that all ya' got?" slurs the figure, his first actions aggressive and his first words negative, how fitting for an angel.

Narrator: The angel continues shoving Jacob.

// Jacob (thoughts) : // "Alright, I think this pushing is getting a little annoying..."

Jacob : "NO."

Narrator: With all his might Jacob pushes back hard on the angel's chest forcing him to step a few stumbling paces backward.

Jacob : "You want to fight, punk? Then let’s wrestle."

Angel : "You want to fight me? Oh boy this should be exciting," not once doubting his strength and fighting ability.

Jacob : "Just you wait and see."

Narrator: As they fought, one could hear among the grunting* a pitiful conversation. From Jacob's side, one listened to a few friendly introductions.

Jacob : "So who are you?" or "Why are you here tonight?"

Narrator: While the angel responds with nasty slurs and demeaning phrases, which Jacob simply brushes off.

Angel : "Impure, weak little human" or "You know you are going to die."

Narrator: Jacob holds his ground, or fight?, for the two beings tumble and turn in the damp marshy bed of the river. Neither hear the squish* of water squeaking below them for they are too involved in the fight. Rather than rely on brutal strength and flailing arms, Jacob used his wit and resourcefulness to strategize.
 * (music building up to climax)

//Jacob// : "Let's think... If I avoid blows to the head and central portion of my body I will remain active in the fight longer... When I attack I must aim for the seven weak spots on my opponent's body..."

Narrator: Being so mentally astute Jacob was able to spot openings for a punch, duck or dive and survived the fight much longer than any other human might. *musical tension build-up They fought all night with almost equal strength, slowly the angel gained advantage.

Angel : "Ha ha ha, this mere mortal will never surpass my power. From the beginning we knew this fight was mine, quite humorous that he would even attempt to fight me. Now let me end this; I'm going in for the kill."

Narrator: He grips Jacob's shoulders and shoves him backwards heading to the edge of the water.

// Jacob // : "Fight strong, Jacob, to cede now could possibly be fatal. You can do this! Just have faith!"

Narrator: Each reluctant step back Jacob could give up hope, but he stays strong and persists in not surrendering to the angel's wishes and will. The river water roars* in Jacob's ears now, pounding deep inside his head and like the rhythmic beat of a drum his heart pounds along with it.

// Jacob : // "One more step back and my heel will slip off the edge of the river's overhang. If I fall in I will certainly drown, the immoral angel will make sure I do."

Narrator: As a last second thought, Jacob prays to God.

Jacob : "God of my father, please give me strength to survive this fight and defeat this overbearing stranger."

Narrator: God hears Jacob's message, for God is the angel fighting Jacob. Before he can decide to send Jacob power or drown him in the river, Jacob finds hidden strength of his own.

// Jacob : // "This is it, I am about to die.... but wait, I feel a new power surge through me, restored hope and strength!"
 * corny music

Jacob : "God of all living things I praise you for listening to my dire prayer, forever will you be in my thoughts. Now time to win this fight!"

Narrator: Reversing the direction of the fight moments earlier, Jacob throws the angel to the ground in one mighty shove. The angel acknowledges this fights near end; taking a little opening to throw a powerful and unfair blow to Jacob's hip, knocking it out of the socket.

// Jacob : // "I can no longer fight this angel after his last cheap move, I must trap him with my body in order for him to not escape."

Narrator: Slowly Jacob falls, capturing the angel under him. Frantically looking around for means of escape the angel realizes the passing hour and the near rise of the morning sun. This awareness only hastens his movements. Angel : "Oh my is that the sun I see? I must escape this man and return to my home. Quickly, quickly!"

Narrator: But Jacob gives no slack, he remains strong and presses the angel into the Earth.

// Jacob :// "Why does he want to escape? Is the sun rising already? Well... hmmm should I let him go? No, no, no you can get some benefit out of this, Jacob, you trapped an angel. You should be blessed for your mighty feat."

Jacob : "I will not let you go, unless you bless me."

Angel : "Oh quick-thinking you are. Darn! But just need to get out of here, so alright. Umm... let us see, so I hereby bless you etc. etc. and your new name is.... Israel yaddah yaddah tahdah! I am leaving now."

Jacob : "Israel eh? Hmmm that ain't bad sounding... Iiiisrraaaeeelll. Israellll. Isssrael. IsRAel. Yes, thanks angel that's sufficient, you may go."

Narrator: Jumping up to release the angel, Jacob remembers the angel's wrongful blow.

Jacob : "Arghh, I curse this day for the pain of my broken hip!"

Narrator: Now angel-defeating Israel walks with a limp for the rest of his time, a reminder of what happened the night Jacob wrestled with God.

Dialogue Analysis
//Irony of an Angel//'s protagonist, Jacob, exhibits the two character traits of persistence and cleverness throughout the dialogue. In the heat of the battle between Jacob and God, the angel begins to win the fight and forces Jacob towards the river. With "each reluctant step back Jacob could give up hope" (Young 1) that he would survive this fight and not drown in the river. The modal auxiliary "could" demonstrates Jacob's option of succumbing to God's wishes of giving up the fight but actively chooses to do otherwise; displaying Jacob's persistance. After winning the battle, Jacob uses his cleverness by trapping the angel underneath his body. Jacob realizes he can use this advantage to his benefit; informing the angel, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me" (Young 2). The conjunction "unless" shows condition and thought, for Jacob's quick-mindedness enables him to utilize any situation and earn maximum benefit. Jacob's endurance and quick wit empowers him to survive and be victorious in a wrestling match with an immortal.

Character Analysis
 God’s imperious personality towards others evokes him to take action unfairly when he loses power. Outcast from a dark background of ocean and harsh cliffs-scape, on the center, right side of the painting Jacob and an angel, God, are painted as locked in battle with Jacob apparently losing. Gustare Doré, the painter of “Jacob Wrestling with the Angel,” depicts God’s strong presence in a domineering stance with straight arms and head tilted down on Jacob. God simply dismisses powerful shoves from Jacob looking firm but almost relaxed. God’s body language portrays not only a physical sense of looking down upon Jacob but also the metaphorical connection of power over him. Grasping Jacob’s writs the angel demonstrates his control over his component, because Jacob loses control over his arms and hands. God’s domineering personality always reminds others of the power barrier.When God “saw he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him in the hip socket” (Gen. 32.25), so wrongfully Jacob would lose something as well. When the angel God discovers he is going to lose the battle against Jacob, he decides rather than give up politely he plays dirty and punches Jacob in the hip, removing it from the socket. God lost the battle, but Jacob lost a hip and for the rest of his time walked with a limp. The redactors use the word ‘struck’ to indicate a drive intended on causing impact. God wanted to cause Jacob pain in that final blow because he wanted to feel superiority over another being. He strikes him in some slight window opening when he should have merely admitted defeat. His cheap-shot actions show his unsportsmanlike behavior when he loses his power. In the rest of Genesis, God manipulates situations unfairly in order to get his way with him creations. This dishonestly and trickery leads to his fear of losing power, making him a coward.

Although in battle Jacob never gives up hope and remains firm, he must apply his wit to maneuver difficult points that arise or gain personal benefit. Stepping backwards towards the disintegrating edge of a cliff overlooking a dry landscape and faint glimmers of water far off, Jacob battles God’s strong grip and immense power. God grasps him tightly around the wrists with his mighty hands, slowly pushing him towards the cliff face, yet Jacob dismisses the idea of giving up. God may be powerful, but Jacob fights back his force with brutal strength. His arm and leg muscles bulge to show his perfect physique. Jacob’s stance of his staggered legs and torso leaning back are evidence to God’s force pushing him back while he steps forward never giving up. Even in the face of near defeat or even death, Jacob remains persistent in his actions. Jacob announces, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me” (Gen. 32.26), to the angel God once defeating and trapping him wrestling. The wrestling between God and Jacob took place the night Jacob sends his family across the Jabbok River. After a long, fist-clenching match of back and forth control, Jacob eventually prevails. He traps God under him and then demands to be blessed before release. The word ‘unless’ conveys the idea of conditions and a thought process establishing them. Jacob is quick-thinking to use this small opportunity to gain personal benefit. In the heated moment of battle Jacob is able to think clearly enough to map out a plan of what he can earn for winning the fight. Knowing the angel must leave before sunrise, cleverly Jacob physically traps God so he is forced to listen to Jacob’s command. Even in a hectic situation, Jacob uses his brain to achieve his goals .

Artist Information

 * [[image:gustave_dore.jpg width="187" height="258" align="left" caption="Paul Gustave Dore (1855-1859)"]]

Doré, Gustave** (1832-83). One of the most popular and successful French book illustrator, sculptor, and engraver of his time, Gustave focused his work primarily on wood and steel engravings. Doré became famous for his oversized pictures of the Bible, Don Quixote, and Dante's Infreno. "His work is characterized by a rather naïve but highly spirited love of the grotesque and represents a commercialization of the Romantic taste for the bizarre." 1 Even other famous artist such as Vincent Van Gogh noted the excellence in his work.

Reflection
I am very proud of my audio recording, considering it one of my strengths in this project. This recording was the first time I had ever used any form of audio recording system and benefiting from a positive experience due to an easy time recording, found the software very fun to play around with. I list my audio recording as one of my strengths because I feel I spent the most time and effort on this section of the project than anything else. I took meticulous care adding sound effects, changing voices, and including a variety of music to my lengthy recording. I also consider the design of my Wikipage another strength in this project. Every color and picture correlates nicely and everything is legible. I added enough photos to keep the reader entertained and improve the overall appearance, but not too many as to the picture distract from the content.

My biggest weakness in this project includes my actual dialogue, the written words behind my recording. The story line is shallow and my attempts at sounding overly corny did not exactly shine. If I could revise one item out of everything in this project, I would choose to rewrite my script into something a little more witty and exciting.

The largest source of frustration occurred in the timing of this project, timing in two different ways. Although procrastination did have a nasty sting with this project leaving me to sleep only 3 hours the day before this was due, buy timing I mean how long completing each element of this project took me to complete. I certainly did not expect the editing of my audio to take 5 hours alone, or uploading the file to Wikispaces to take forty minutes. All estimates of how long this project would take me were far overshot by the actual amount of time spent on it. I wish I had spread the work out more over the time my teacher assigned it for then I would not have to rush to finish my writing because my editing took so long. I overcame my time issues by optimizing what little time I had by being very productive. I also went to bed late and woke up quite early, but in the end finished on time.

Overall, I learned two things from this project. I learned that procrastination never helps anyone and one should spread his or her work out over time. Additionally, major projects and assignments require more time that I usually first assume and I should allot more in order to sleep well the night before the due date.  I also learned, however geeky, how fun audio recording software can be ! 

<span style="background-color: #f6cb13; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Citations
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Doré, Paul Gustave. //Jacob Wrestling with the Angel//. N.d. //Wikipedia, the free// //encyclopedia//. Web. 20 May 2010. <http://upload.wikimedia.org/ wikipedia/commons/4/45/Jacob_Wrestling_with_the_Angel.jpg>.

1. "Doré, Gustave." //WebMuseum//. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2010. <http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/dore/>.

Gauguin, Paul. //La Vision après le Sermon (La Lutte de Jacob avec l’Ange)//. N.d. //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 20 May 2010. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ commons/3/3a/ Lutte_de_Jacob_avec_l%27Ange.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Lutte_de_Jacob_avec_l%27Ange.jpg&usg=__Ya6_FgiEuBezvaCHNQT_DROtAJs=&h=1500&w =1000&sz=1169&hl=en&start=5&sig2=Cv4iYGHqXbr4KI5IxIdEZA&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=jV_rXy6 f31SWyM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=100&prev=/ images%3Fq%3Djacob%2Bfight%2Band%2Bangel%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft
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Sean. //What if Time Really Exists?// N.d. //Discover Magazine//. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2010. <http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/files/2008/11/ time-flies-clock-10-11-2006.gif>.

//Sielsch, Leo A.// Imzilch//. N.d.// Imzilch//. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2010. <http://imzilch.com/images/thinking%20brain.jpg>.

XXFaithfulGirlXx.// Sunrise//. N.d.// PhotoBucket//. Web. 20 May 2010. <http://media.photobucket.com/image/sun%20rising/xXFaithfulGirlXx/Backgrounds/ SunRise-1.jpg>.