Last Friday, we continued our exploration of Geraldine Brooks’s novel, The SecretChord, by taking a closer look at its first four chapters. We began with a brief discussion of the significance of King David in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Judaism and Christianity see David as:
a skilled warrior, a just warrior, and a sweet singer of psalms
a flawed hero/model of human frailty who demonstrated moral failures
a model of repentance showing loyalty to God and demonstrating that even broken people can achieve divine purposes
a precursor/prototype of the Messiah
Islamic tradition also held David in high regard because of his submission to God. In Islamic texts, David shortcomings are not emphasized.
Turning our attention to Brooks’s text, we discussed the way in which she constructed her novel through her choice of the Prophet Nathan as narrator. In his declining years, David charges Nathan to write his life’s story–an event that is not recorded in the Tanach. Brooks’s novel utilizes the literary trope of the framed narrative/”found manuscript. Readers are encouraged to believe that Nathan’s account of David’s life was recorded for posterity and that the events it tells of actually occurred. We focused particularly the specific graphic detail in which Brooks, speaking through Nathan, describes scenes of battle. While some readers were put off by such sensationalistic details, others felt that they added authenticity to the narrative.
Drawing upon midrashim and her own imagination, Brooks presents a variety of backstories to enhance the story of David–stories that reflect both his strengths and weaknesses. These stories, often not even hinted at in the Tanach, include David’s encounter with a much younger Nathan; David’s childhood (essentially reviled by his father and brothers) as told by his mother, Nitzevet (never named in the Bible, and only alluded to twice); and David’s encounter with Goliath (an account, told by David’s oldest brother, Shammash, who claimed that David’s account was somewhat embellished).
Our discussion considered ways that legends were created by employing literary motifs: traditional narrative elements that have persisted in the literature of many cultures. The motif we focused upon was that of the “youngest child,” one who is often dismissed as weak and inept, who triumphs over adversity and saves the day (e.g., Jack and the Beanstalk, the Biblical Joseph, Luke Skywalker).
This Friday, we’ll discuss chapters 5-8 of The SecretChord (pp. 69-131). Focus will be on how the narrative reveals the development of David relationships with Nathan and others. Beyond telling a good story, does Brooks have other objectives?
Please note that the Noon Study Group will NOT meet on Friday, July 3.
Our informal discussion group, which has been in operation for 25 years, now meets via Zoom every Friday from 12-1 (check CBI’s website for a link). All are welcome to attend. Copies of The Secret Chord are available through a variety of online booksellers. If you have questions, contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@charlotte.edu.
