Through this lesson the student will explore the biblical understanding of a heroic woman through interpreting the books of Esther, Susanna, and Judith.

Bible: Esther, Susanna, Judith

(Susanna and Judith are located in different places in different Bibles. In "Protestant" Bibles, Susanna and Judith are found in the Apocrypha, usually placed between the Old and New Testaments. In "Catholic" Bibles Judith is placed in the Old Testament and Susanna is chapter 13 of the book of Daniel.)

Bellis, Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes, pp. 211-23

Lecture: Esther, Susanna, and Judith

Interpret the role of the heroic woman in the stories of Esther, Susanna, and Judith.

Compare and contrast Esther, Susanna, and Judith. How does each correspond to social expectations of women? How does each transcend social expectations of women? How do these literary women represent male interests? What makes a woman heroic?

Your thesis should attempt to make a general claim about the role of heroic women. The body of your essay should then argue this claim from the specific stories of Esther, Susanna, and Judith.

In the book of Esther, is Esther or Mordecai the real hero? Why? Similarly, in the book of Susanna, is Susanna or Daniel the real hero? Why? How might Esther and Susanna be viewed as heroes in relation to a dominant male character?

How does Judith display both male and female attributes?

The biblical literature is written by men for a largely male audience. What would Israelite men find appealing about the stories of Esther, Susanna, and Judith? How do these stories address their own male concerns?

Other questions for discussion are raised in the lecture.

Andre Lacocque. The Feminine Unconventional: Four Subversive Figures in Israel's Tradition. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990.