The reverse wisdom tale
discursive interactions between Ecclesiastes 9: 13-18 and the graphic novel Parable
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/2236-9937.2023v29p131-159Keywords:
wisdom literature, comic books, ecclesiastes, parable, silver surferAbstract
This article consists of a discursive and thematic comparison analysis of the intersections between Ecclesiastes 9: 13-18, in the Hebrew Bible, and the graphic novel Parable, by Marvel Comics. The article is divided into four parts: the first, an overview of the wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible; the second, an analysis of Ecclesiastes 9: 13-18, with a close reading of the Hebrew text; the third, a brief description of the graphic novel Parable along with information about its protagonist, the superhero Silver Surfer; and the fourth, an analysis of the graphic novel Parable from the dialogue with Ecclesiastes. In addition to the number of narrative parallels, it became evident that the reverse wisdom structure of Ecclesiastes 9 is repeated in the graphic novel, since in both texts wisdom, even (apparently) victorious, is relegated to marginality and invisibility. In both cases, it is considered superior than the force of war, setting up a wisdom tale in praise of wisdom itself, and at the same time a lamentation over the negligence attributed to it.
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