Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Literature Part 18

Stanza III

What lesson does the poet learn from the "past years"? What confidence does this lesson give him for the future? What phases of experiences of life are suggested by "moor", "fen", "crag", and "torrent"?

NOTE.--To answer this, there should be an effort to image a moor, a fen, a crag, or a torrent clearly. Then when the pupil sees the desolate, lonesome moor; the miry, almost impa.s.sable fen; the sharp, out-jutting crag which makes the ascent more forbidding and difficult; and the rushing, unbridged torrent which must be forded or breasted, even though it threatens destruction; it should be easy to relate these to the experiences in life which they typify, or represent.

How long does the poet believe this guidance will last? In what words does he say that it will last as long as it will be needed? What does he mean by "the night"? Beyond "the night", what vision does he see? Whose are "those angel faces"?

What is the relation of the third stanza to the second? It shows how the author's confidence in the Divine guidance to be granted him during future years is strengthened by the lessons learned in former years.

The teacher should again read the poem aloud. This will impress upon the pupils, not only the truth and beauty of the poem, but also furnish an ideal to stimulate them in their preparation for the reading lesson which is to follow.

CHAPTER VII

FORM IV

JUDAH'S SUPPLICATION TO JOSEPH

(Fourth Reader, page 51)

INTRODUCTION

Review briefly the Scriptural account of Joseph's life, and particularly the story of the visits of his brethren to Egypt to buy corn. Note especially the following points:

1. The famine in the land of Canaan; the first visit of Joseph's brothers to Egypt; their interview with Joseph; the detention of Simeon; Joseph's demand that Benjamin be brought down.

2. The return to Canaan; Jacob's refusal to let Benjamin go down into Egypt; Judah's becoming surety for his safe return.

3. The second visit of Joseph's brethren to Egypt, this time with Benjamin; their entertainment by Joseph; their homeward journey; the discovery of the silver cup in Benjamin's sack; their return to Joseph.

GENERAL a.n.a.lYSIS

After the selection has been read, the teacher should proceed by some such method as the following:

With what does the pa.s.sage deal? Judah's entreaty to Joseph for Benjamin's safe return to his father, and the effect it produced.

Into how many parts is the selection naturally divided? Into three parts, corresponding to the paragraphs as given in the Reader.

What is the princ.i.p.al idea in each part?

1. Joseph's decision to keep the offender as a bondman. (Paragraph I)

2. Judah's supplication to Joseph that Benjamin be permitted to return for his father's sake.

(Paragraph II)

3. Joseph's revelation of his ident.i.ty, and the provision he makes for the maintenance of his kindred. (Paragraph III)

DETAILED a.n.a.lYSIS

Paragraph I

Why did Joseph's brethren fall "before him on the ground"? Prostration is the Eastern mode of signifying profound respect, complete submission.

What is the meaning of "divine"? In this sense, to look into the future; to see what is hidden from ordinary people.

Does Joseph claim explicitly to have this ability? No, he merely suggests it, probably to impress them with the idea of his power.

What does Judah mean by "the iniquity of thy servants"? Doubtless he has in mind the wrong that they committed years before, in selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites and deceiving their father. Verses 21 and 22 of the 42nd chapter of Genesis go to show that the consciousness of this sin was ever before them.

What was Judah's att.i.tude toward the accusation brought against them? He frankly confesses the guilt of all--not of Benjamin only.

Why do you think he adopts this att.i.tude, when he must have been sure that all were guiltless?

He perhaps believes that they are victims of a conspiracy, the object of which is to place them in the power of this Egyptian governor, and he thinks that this submissive att.i.tude is best calculated to secure mercy at his hands.

How do you account for Joseph's apparent desire to keep Benjamin in Egypt, with himself?

Probably he thinks this the best means of inducing his father, Jacob, to come to Egypt.

However, he may not really intend to keep Benjamin at all. He may be making the threat only to test Judah. It may be remembered that it was Judah who had counselled the selling of Joseph years before. Joseph may now be trying to see if Judah is the same kind of man he was when the selling into Egypt took place--whether he will sacrifice Benjamin in this extremity as he sacrificed Joseph himself.

If the latter is Joseph's object, how does the experiment succeed? It proves that Judah is a different man, that the years that have elapsed have produced a remarkable change in his character.

Paragraph II

Of what does Judah's entreaty largely consist?

Of a recital of the governor's orders and of Jacob's attachment to Benjamin, the son in whom all the thoughts, hopes, and desires of his old age are centred.

Upon what does Judah lay the greatest emphasis?

Upon the effect that Benjamin's detention will have upon his father. Evidently the brothers are very anxious to spare their father any unnecessary grief and pain.

For what purpose is the whole speech specially adapted? To stir the emotions. It is suited to appeal to the feelings of anybody, but, particularly, to the feelings of Egypt's governor, though his ident.i.ty is still unknown.

Which are the most pathetic sentences? The two beginning with, "And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man", and "Now, therefore, when I come to thy servant, my father, and the lad be not with us".

What features of the speech would make the strongest appeal to Joseph? The reference to his father's old age and his attachment to Benjamin; his belief in Joseph's untimely end; the blow that separation from Benjamin would involve; Judah's willingness to sacrifice himself.

What light does the speech throw upon Judah's character? It shows a capacity for intense feeling, a deep devotion to his father, and a spirit of self-sacrifice. It might indicate also a shrewd knowledge of human nature, for he apparently knows how to present the case in the most effective manner.

What is the meaning of "thou art even as Pharaoh"? Thou art as mighty as the king of Egypt.

Explain "thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father". Judah had given Jacob a guarantee that Benjamin should return safely.

Select any figurative expression and give its meaning. "Thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave." The blow which separation from Benjamin would involve will cause the aged father to die of a broken heart.

What are the main characteristics of the supplication? The language is simple and direct, the feeling is of the loftiest character, and the whole speech is highly eloquent. If the test of true eloquence is the intensity of the appeal it makes to worthy emotions, this pa.s.sage may well be regarded as one of the most eloquent in all literature.

Paragraph III