Your reading in Ryken explains how interpreting the Bible correctly requires a literary lens. In this assignment you will apply the tools in the Ryken reading (pages 33-67) to study a section of Scripture in-dept.BIBLE AS LITERATURE WORKSHEET
Using the table provided below, complete an in-depth study of literary context of the book of Ruth. The literary elements you are looking for are those described in your Ryken reading (pp. 33-67). In the “Clue” column, you will find the page numbers in Ryken (1984) for the respective element.
To complete this worksheet:
- Fill in the right column as appropriate to the literary element, and
- Provide a description of your rationale, with Scripture references.
If you leave a space empty, explain why—i.e., what is missing?
| Literary Element | Clue | |
| (Example) Genre | 26 | Story/Narrative. The book of Ruth is clearly written as story/narrative due to its inclusion of concrete detail for persons, places, and historical events. |
| (Example) Type of Story | 75-86 | Heroic Narrative. Ruth is a character whose story easily connects with many of our own stories, displaying how (when inspired by her narrative) we can follow her same example of faith in the midst of tragedy and opposition. |
| Physical Setting (+ Possible Significance) | 35 | |
| Cultural Setting | 36-7 | *Describe some of the cultural elements present in the story that are helpful for understanding it.* |
| Characters + How they are Described | 37-8 | |
| Conflict (Describe) | 40 | |
| How Suspense is Built | 41-3 | |
| Narrative Unity (Describe) | 44-7 | |
| Test(s)—Are there any? Describe. | 50-1 | |
| Instances of Transformation/Change | 52-4 | |
| Foils | 54-5 | |
| Irony | 55 | |
| Poetic Justice | 56 | |
| Repetition | 60-1 | |
| Point of View | 61-4 | |
| Instances of Sympathy or Aversion | 66-7 |
