Close Reading Intro Paragraph Examples

Example 1: Close Reading Paper Genesis 3 Genesis 3, a sacred text that has both been incorporated into the Old Testament and Christian Bible tackles the origins of Adam and Eve and their removal from the Garden of Eden. The text follows this man and woman as they are tempted to bite into the apple of a tree they had been warned away from, resulting in their punishment from God and a lifetime of resulting consequences. The man blames the woman who picked the fruit from the tree and the woman blames the snake who tempted her with the promise of power, creating a trail of blame that plays a role in God's decisions on how to punish man and animals. This story and God’s actions lead me to believe that Genesis 3 acts as a cautionary tale to teach about the consequences of the awareness of mortality as a result of misplaced curiosity and heedless pursuit of power, especially within the context of a woman’s influence and role in life. Example 2: Close Reading Paper Genesis 22 The Harper Collins Study Bible’s presentation of Genesis 22 shows an intriguing narrative that includes 2 main characters, Abraham and Isaac. The passage captivates readers with its illustration of faith and sacrifice, along with the complex relationship between divine instructions and human obedience. The text takes place at the holy Mount Moriah, which serves as a sacred location for a pivotal event. Furthermore, the text offers readers a profound moral and theological study as it explores the ideas of faith, obedience, and sacrifice. In this essay, I will look at the actions of the characters and analyze how they are portrayed in the text. By dissecting the passage, we can learn more about the complexity found in Genesis 22 and how it affects the way we think about faith and religiosity. Not only does the passage delve into the interesting narrative of faith, sacrifice, and the complex relationship between divine instructions and human obedience, but it also highlights the idea of elective monotheism, emphasizing the idea of a "chosen people" and the unique bond between a deity and people. Example 3: Close Reading Paper Genesis 22 Juxtaposed by Abraham’s past failures to trust in God, from when he opted to lie to Pharaoh regarding his marriage with Sarah, to when he conceived Ishmael with Hagar, the biblical narrative of Genesis 22 presents a pivotal point in the story of Abraham. It is important to note that this closer reading doesn’t intend to ascribe a moral judgment, rather the aim is to develop a better understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the time. A closer reading of the text reflects the portrayal of masculinity, obedience, and sacrifice, shedding insight into the societal norms and expectations of the Ancient Near East. More specifically, a deeper look into Abraham’s interactions with God, Isaac, and the lack of Sarah’s involvement is evidence of patriarchal structures, emphasizing obedience and sacrifice as virtues primarily expected of men. This ultimately helps answer an overarching question of how the narrative of Abraham's sacrificial trial reflects and shapes cultural and gender norms within the larger context of Ancient Near East culture.