ABSTRACT

Reading Ecclesiastes explores the literary style and themes of the Book of Ecclesiastes, investigating its overall theological messages and the cultural perspectives which readers bring to bear on their act of reading. Examining the meaning found in Ecclesiastes through the use of two important contemporary reading methods - narrative criticism and cultural exegesis - Mary E. Mills breaks new ground. Highlighting the range of theological meaning attached to the book of Ecclesiastes as a result of treating the text as a form of narrative and a story told in the first person, this innovative book will appeal to all those interested in narrative criticism, literary studies and interpretation and Wisdom tradition and the ancient world more widely, as well as biblical scholars.

part |22 pages

Preamble

chapter 1|8 pages

The Exercise of Biblical Imagination

chapter 2|12 pages

The Person and the World

part One|2 pages

Narrative Criticism

chapter 3|16 pages

Narrative Fiction as Social Commentary

chapter 4|16 pages

Narrator as Character

chapter 5|18 pages

Story as Social Discourse

part Two|30 pages

Narrative and Culture

part Three|50 pages

Cultural Exegesis

part |2 pages

Sequel

chapter 11|6 pages

The Interpretation of Selves

chapter 12|6 pages

The Art of Biblical Imagination