Trick+or+Cheat?

= = = Trick or Cheat? =

** Audio **
media type="file" key="My Song 4-2.mp3"

Introduction
== There's a theory that history repeats itself. Great wars occur every certain number of centuries, an empire falls and a new one takes its place, and. . . Jacob tricks Esau time and time again. Will Esau ever learn a lesson from his foolish mistakes? Will Jacob finally outgrow his juvenility, and figure out that there are better thrills in life than watching his brother fall flat on his face? The answer lies in the story below. ==

The purpose of the assignment is to present the traits of two characters from //Genesis// of the Bible, both by writing a dialogue expressing feeling and emotion, and by composing a character analysis for each of them. The goal of this project is to define a character, portray the character's traits through the different components of the project (script, audio, analysis), and then use the knowledge of that character to produce the whole concept. The fictional dialogue below represents the continuous conflict between the two biblical characters Jacob and Esau, and reveals the traits that each is known for in the original story. The dialogue also offers insight of the characters' personalities. The script, audio clip, analyses, and artwork collaborate to portray the characters as //ideas//, and their role is essential in creating the characters.

Script
Scene 1: (//Esau walks through door//) Esau: Morning, Dad. Where's Jacob? Isaac: Hmm, I think your brother took our neighbor's dog for a walk in the park. Esau: Jacob? Helping a neighbor? Well, that's a change. Isaac: (//in a lecturing tone//) Oh, Esau. Give him some credit. You're the older brother. You know he looks up to you as a role model. Esau: I doubt it. Jacob and I have never been the best of friends, if you haven't noticed. Isaac: Jacob left his wallet here! He's supposed to pick up my laundry after he returns the dog. Esau, will you please bring Jacob his wallet? I'm not feeling too well today. Esau: Why does Jacob need his wallet to pick up the laundry? It's not like he's paying for it. Isaac: Actually, Esau, Jacob offered to pay. Maybe you could learn a lesson on compassion from HIM sometime. Esau: Okay, I'll bring it to him. No need to continue the lecture, Dad. Isaac: (//chuckles//) Thank you, son. Don't worry, you're still my favorite. Esau: Good to hear. I'll be back soon! (//sound of car starting//) (//end of scene)//

Scene 2: Jacob: (//speaking to dog frustratedly, sounds out of breath//) No, Casey! Slow down, you little devil! I'm only doing this for the money, you know. Not because I actually like creatures like you. Esau: Jacob? I thought that was you. Are you yelling at the dog? Jacob: (//innocently//) Me? No, of course not. I was just. . . uhh, telling Casey that she's so fast, it's hard for me to keep up with her. See? She runs like lightning. Esau: Jacob, those toddlers on their tricycles are passing her. I think you're just out of shape. Jacob: Okay, Esau. Why did you follow me here? Just to make fun of my lack of athletic skills? Esau: No, although I'm doing a pretty good job with that, don't you think? (//snickers//) Actually, Dad sent me here because you left your wallet at home. I hear you offered to pay for his laundry, in addition to walking this dog. Where did you find the money, Jacob? Did you rob a bank? Jacob: Very funny. No, I've been doing some odd jobs around town. It's none of your business. Esau: You're my brother. Of course it's my business. Jacob: Well, you'll have to wait until later to hear about it. The dry cleaners said that Dad's laundry would be ready at this time, so I have to go. By the way, if you want the shortcut back to our house, just cut across the woods over on the other side of the park. You know, where the construction site is. There's a path there that leads straight to our street. Esau: (//hesitantly//) Well. . . thanks, Jacob. Here's your wallet. I'll see you later. Jacob: See ya. (//end of scene)//

Scene 3: Esau: (//sounds out of breath, talking to himself//) Jacob said the path was around here, didn't he? I've been searching for an hour, and there's nothing but trees. I don't think I can even find my way back into the park. I'll bet Jacob tricked me. Why was I foolish enough to trust him? This isn't the first time. I won't fall for his pranks ever again. (//end of scene//)

Scene 4: Jacob: (//laughing to himself//) I'm not surprised that Esau fell into my trap. How does he not see that there's absolutely nothing but trees back there? I've never even been over there myself. That was a genius idea of mine, to tell him about the shortcut. Time for Phase 2 of the plan. Where's that spray paint? Ah yes, here it is. . . (//end of scene//)

Scene 5: Esau: Dad! You won't believe what Jacob did now. This is the last straw! I can't believe- Isaac: (//sternly, in a disapproving tone//) Esau, don't try and pin this on your brother. I know he didn't do it. He's been home for an hour already. Esau: Why are you taking his side? I was on the opposite side of the park for the longest time. You know, where the construction site is? Isaac: Well, at least you're admitting you did it. That was easier than I thought. But still son, I'm extremely upset with your foolishness. Did you even think of the consequences you would face? Esau: Wh-what? I don't think we're talking about the same thing, Dad. I'm talking about the fact that Jacob tricked me yet again. You want to believe that he's your innocent, younger son, but he's actually a deceitful little liar! Isaac: Esau, normally I would listen to you. But this, there is absolutely no excuse, and you already admitted it! You're cornered, son. Esau: Dad, can you please tell me what you're referring to? I don't have a clue what this is all about. Isaac: (//sighs//) I can't believe you're trying to back yourself out of the guilt now, but I'll tell you. About an hour and a half ago, the construction workers came back from their lunch break and discovered the whole place vandalized. The building that they've been working on for weeks was covered in spray paint, with some rather offensive expressions. They also have reason to believe that it was YOU, because the empty spray paint bottles left at the site were tracked down to the store, and they were paid for under your name. Do you have anything to say in your defense, Esau? Esau: Dad, I passed the construction site while it was deserted. I didn't know they were on their lunch break, but I know for a fact that I didn't enter the area. Why would I do that? And also, did you see me leave the house with spray paint in my hands? No. Someone impersonating me probably charged it under my name. So why are you blaming me?Isaac: Don't lie to me, Esau. Just be mature, for once. Esau: Ha! You're telling ME to be mature, when it was probably Jacob who did this and framed me. Isaac: Jacob happened to come home a little before you with my laundry clean and fresh from the dry cleaners. So I know that he was not at the park. Esau: That's not much of an alibi, but I'll go talk to him. Isaac: Esau, don't accuse your brother. All the evidence is against you, not him. (//end of scene//)

Scene 6: Esau: (//in an annoyed tone//) Jacob, you didn't dare go and vandalize that construction site after I went home, did you?Jacob: Esau, what kind of fool do you take me for? I told you, I went to pick up the laundry after you and I parted ways. Esau: Well, you tricked me by sending me over to the woods, where there was NO PATH. I wandered for an hour or so, and I had no luck. I realized that you deceived me yet again. Now don't tell me that I spray painted the whole construction site too, because even you know that's not true. Right? Jacob: (//mischievous tone//) Oh, I don't know about that. I mean, would you rather take the blame for something small like vandalizing an unfinished building, or would you want to claim innocent to THIS crime and admit to committing something even worse? Esau: What do you mean? What could possibly be worse? Jacob: Well, I hear there's been a lot of bank robberies that are supposedly all linked to the same person. I'm sure I could arrange for someone to accuse you of THAT, and lift the pressure of this crime off your shoulders. Esau: Jacob, are you saying that you are the culprit of all of these recent local crimes? Just wait until I tell Dad! Jacob: Hold on, Esau. You know Dad won't believe you. And I'm certainly not going to admit that I committed the crimes. Why don't you just confess that you vandalized the construction site, and I'll admit that I stole the cars. Are we even? Esau: (//sighs defeatedly//) Fine. Let's go tell Dad. (//end of scene//)

Scene 7: Jacob: Dad, we have something to tell you. Isaac: Oh? Jacob: Esau, you go first. Esau: Okay, Dad. I'm really sorry for not admitting it right away, but I really did vandalize the construction site at the park. It was a dumb move, and I take full responsibility for my actions. Isaac: Thank you, Esau. That was very noble of you. And Jacob? What were you going to say? Jacob: Well, Dad, I think I've figured out Esau's motivation for the vandalizing. I told him about this alternate road that he could take to get back to our house, basically a shortcut. When he couldn't find it, he assumed that I tricked him and he wanted revenge. Esau: (//whispering angrily to Jacob//) What are you doing? This isn't part of the plan! Jacob: (//whispering back//) It's okay. Follow my lead, I'm covering for you. (//raises voice back to normal tone//) So he ruined the construction site area, and I think he was planning to blame it on me once he got back. But there were a lot of flaws in his reasoning, and it's clear that Esau really did do it himself. Isaac: I completely agree with you, Jacob. Esau: WHAT?! Dad, that was not the plan. I was going to admit to the construction site crime, and Jacob was supposed to take credit for the bank robberies. . . oh. Oops. Isaac: (//angrily//) Esau, do you mean to say that you committed BOTH of these crimes? I'm not just disappointed or upset anymore, I am furious. My oldest son, resorting to a life of crime? Have I taught you nothing? Esau: No, Dad! I - I mean, I didn't - Wait. Jacob! Help me here! Jacob: (//tauntingly//) Sorry, Esau. You're on your own. You asked me to help you cover, but this is too much. You've got to take responsibility for your own careless actions now. Esau: JACOB! But you said- Jacob: Oh look, there's the time. Gotta go! See you later, Dad, I'll get dinner tonight. I know you haven't been feeling too well. Isaac: Thank you, Jacob. You were always the good one of the family. Jacob: I try. Esau: Jacob! You won't get away with this! I'll- Isaac: Silence, son. No more of your nonsense. Esau: (//angrily//) This isn't right! This is UNFAIR! Isaac: You sound like a child, Esau. Be reasonable. Jacob would never be foolish enough to do this. Esau: Ha! That's what you think. . . (//end of scene//)

S cript Analysis
The dialogue establishes the roles of each character, and how each of them reacts and affects the response of the other. Each of the characters has their own specific tone and attitude that corresponds directly with their personality.

The author quickly introduces Jacob's character as duplicitous and two-sided. Jacob's opening line displays his spoiled behavior when he complains about walking "'little devils'"(Seto), also commonly known as pet dogs. When Esau, a familiar face, appears, Jacob immediately changes his bratty tone to one of feigning exhaustion, making himself look selfless and filled with compassion. The puzzling introduction unfolds to reveal the thoughts racing through Jacob's head, finally showing his true, cunning personality.

On the other hand, the author portrays Esau, the character opposite Jacob, as gullible and slightly stupid. Esau notices Jacob's unnaturally kind behavior and questions it, saying to his father Isaac, "'Jacob? Helping a neighbor? Well, that's a change'"(Seto). However, Esau does not possess the intelligence that would subconsciously tell him to look around and notice that something is different. Esau's contentment to sail on through life without suspecting anyone clearly comes across through the fictional dialogue.

Character Analysis
As soon as Jacob's deceit achieves his goals, he switches his crafty, cunning personality for a guise of innocence in order to avoid punishment. In a biblical portrayal of the long-awaited encounter between the two brothers Jacob and Esau, the image of young Jacob's leaning on his older brother Esau for support characterizes Jacob's tendency to act remorseful as a ploy to escape the consequences of his actions. The artist uses the irony of Esau's belief in Jacob's act of guilt to show Jacob's expertise in manipulating and misleading people in order to attain his own desires. When Esau sees the shame on Jacob's face, Esau immediately submits to him. As a result, Jacob has the power and control to fulfill his own desires. The vivid illustration juxtaposes Jacob's apologetic body language with his true sly, scheming character by drawing Jacob leaning into his older brother for support with his weight heavy on one leg and his expression filled with false shame and regret. Underneath Jacob's façade of guilt, his glee of manipulating his brother yet again dominates Jacob's character. Throughout the book of Genesis, the theme of deceit and trickery appears constantly. Jacob serves as one of the many characters who depend on this tactic to pull them through life. Ultimately, the event represents Jacob's heavy influence on others, despite his young age. Proving the point further, after discovering that Jacob fooled Isaac in order to steal Esau's blessing, Esau exclaims to Isaac in a fit of protest, "'Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright; and look, now he has taken away my blessing'" (Gen. 27.36). The word "supplanted" signifies replacing Esau with Jacob, his younger brother. The word conveys the mood of bitterness and envy, in that "supplant" creates a mental image of an enchanting, untouched plant growing up from the ground, surrounded by old, wilting plants that surrender because of the new plant's captivating appearance. Esau's criticism towards his younger brother reveals that Jacob has not earned his trust, characterizing Jacob as a duplicitous and cunning juvenile who likes to cheat people for his own entertainment. Jacob chooses to prosper through deceit and lies, thus gaining more power than is usually granted to the younger son, already proving that Jacob is no amateur with this technique. Jacob's talent for trickery amplifies his motivation to acquire authority and influence over his superior older brother. In relationship to the book of Genesis as a whole, Jacob clearly holds power over Esau even though he is younger, and Esau's acceptance of this reality represents the strength of deceit used throughout the book.

=
Until Esau gains vengeance from the people who deceive him, he schemes for retribution, but people take advantage of his gullibility and foil his plans. The picture above of Esau and Jacob rejoicing after a long grudge displays Esau's gullibility. Esau trusts a person who ruined his future, although he prospered on his own after a troublesome adolescence. In the image, Esau consoles Jacob's insincere shame, and allows Jacob to weep on his shoulder. The dramatic irony emerges when Esau believes Jacob's remorseful act, and the audience immediately recognizes Esau's mistake in trusting a dishonest man. Esau's gullibility inevitably lands him in some rough patches on his journey, but never has he been fooled by one more clever than his only brother, one who knows all of Esau's flaws and weaknesses. Esau's loss of his own birthright and blessing angers him; he seeks revenge on his younger brother who denied him of his entitlements. Before the deprivation, however, Esau does not think much of the privileges granted to him. Jacob demands Esau's birthright in exchange for food, and Esau replies, "'I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?'" (Gen. 25.32). The word "use" implies that Esau does not care about his long-term rewards, and further implies that he has an impulsive nature. The word "use" marks Esau's personality as irresponsible and imprudent, because Esau thinks impulsively rather than in the long-term view, and he does not understand the "use" of the gifts he takes for granted. The expression characterizes Esau as reckless and unwise in relinquishing his rights to an untrustworthy person. His brother uses a wide open loophole to his advantage in Esau's rash behavior and gullibility.======

A ** rtwork/Artist Background **

I used the painting //The Meeting of Jacob and Esau// as the image that portrayed the two characters. I chose this image because it illustrated the traits better than any other paintings I found. However, I researched this extensively and was unable to produce the artist's identity, or any history of the painting.

For the painting //Isaac Blessing Jacob//, I was able to find information. The artist, Govert Teunisz Flinck, emphasizes the action in the painting by using light and contour lines to direct the eye to the focus of the work. He was a follower of Rembrandt's Baroque painting style, and he was well known in his time for creating realistically appealing portraits.

For a brief biography of Flinck, click here.

Reflection
If I had to describe my entire experience with this project in just one word, I would say "struggle". Throughout every stage I have struggled, from the brainstorming to the dialogue writing to even the formatting of this page. I am glad, however, that even though I struggled, I did not give up. There were times when this project was the last thing on my mind, and I used a lot of willpower to sit myself down and work for a good amount of time. The primary obstacle for me was writing the dialogue. I aspired to bring out my creativity and imagination in this script, knowing that this would be a good chance for me to try. It was hard for me to write a normal conversation, though, knowing that this was an assignment for English, a class where we learn that sentence fragments and contractions are wrong. Breaking out of that shell was a difficult step for me, and I hope that my effort shows. This project definitely taught me that I have the potential to do well, but that I have to really, really, truly struggle to reach that point. Maybe I haven't gotten there yet, but this project really showed me that I am capable.