Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel, Third Edition

Appendix 1. Exercises for an Overall Narrative Analysis of Mark

163 aPPENDIx 1 Exercises for an overall Narrative analysis of Mark 1 . Experience the story One: Read, listen to, or see (on DVD) the whole Gospel of Mark. Two: What was your experience of the “story world” of Mark’s Gospel? What were your initial impressions of this story of Jesus? Three: Were you able to respect the limits of this story and not bring with you information from the other Gospels? 2 . Point of View One: Choose three people to take the point of view of the disciples and three to take the point of view of the authorities. Two: Staying imaginatively within the story world of Mark, debate the differing views of Jesus, the arrival of the rule of God, and the values of the rule of God. 3 . stylistic Features One: Choose one of the narrative patterns or stylistic devices discussed in chapter 2. Read through Mark looking for its occurrence, taking notes as you find it. Two: What does this device contribute to the meaning and impact of the story? 164 Mark as story 4 . analysis of settings One: Choose a recurring setting in Mark. Read Mark, looking for each instance in which that setting occurs. Two: As you read, take notes on the following questions. What are the characteristics of the setting? What is the relationship of the setting to the conflicts that occur there? How do the characters interact with the setting? What mood is evoked? Three: Are there associations between this setting and a setting in stories from Israel’s past? How do these associations inform the experience of the setting? Four: In light of the above, what is the role of this setting in the overall story? 5 . analysis of Conflicts One: Choose a conflict that runs through the story (Jesus and the cosmic forces of evil; Jesus and the authorities; Jesus and the disciples). Two: Read through Mark, tracing this conflict: • Who/what initiates the conflict and how does it escalate? • What is the conflict about and what is at stake? • What are the tactics of each side? • How is the conflict resolved/unresolved? • What are the consequences? Three: How does this conflict relate to the other conflicts that run through the story? What is the role of this conflict in the establishment of God’s rule in the story? 6 . analysis of Characters: Part I One: Choose one of the following characters or character groups: Jesus, the disciples (including Rock), Rock, the authorities, the minor characters who favor Jesus. Two: Turn blank pages sideways and make three columns. In each column make separate brief notes (not quotes) in the following categories. • What the character says that illuminates her or his character • What the character does that illuminates her or his character • What others say to or about them that illuminates their character Three: Review your notes, comparing and contrasting the columns. List the insights you gained into the character from this exercise. appendix 1: Exercises for an overall Narrative analysis of Mark 165 7 . analysis of Characters: Part II One: Choose a character or character group (as above). Two: Read Mark, taking notes on the following questions: • What are the traits of the character? • What drives the character as motivations or goals? • How does the character relate to other characters? • Does the character change? Three: Review your notes and consider what factors about the character predominate . From this review, give a brief profile of the traits of the character. 8 . analysis of rhetoric One: Again, read, hear, or see (on DVD) the whole Gospel of Mark. This time, focus on the responses you are having while experiencing Mark’s Gospel. Two: Discuss the feelings, thoughts, emotions, and challenges you experienced while encountering the story. How did your responses change as the story went along? What was your reaction to the ending? Three: What new insights did you get about the story by focusing on what Mark’s story does to readers/hearers? What new insights did you get about yourself in experiencing the story? ...