What's a parable? (Jesus, moral, myths, moral, divine)

[Katzpur]

Okay, so I know the answer to this, but I'm interested in how you would explain it. After you've explained what you think a parable is, explain how the parable of the Good Samaritan is really a parable, according to your definition.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

Okay, so I know the answer to this, but I'm interested in how you would explain it. After you've explained what you think a parable is, explain how the parable of the Good Samaritan is really a parable, according to your definition.

I can't help but think of my definition of "myth" on another thread, and the need to distinguish between parable and myth. I think parables are generally shorter stories whereas myths are longer. I think parables are designed to teach a specific lesson whereas myths can have multiple layers of meaning. But what they share in common is that the meanings are larger than just the particulars in the story.

That said, the story of the Good Samaritan is a parable because it's moral is clearly true beyond just the relationship between Samaritans and Jews. It's meant for all of us. Especially given the context in which the story was told, Jesus responding to the question, "who is my neighbor?" Jesus meant for us to extrapolate the meaning to understand that those who we think of as our enemies are actually our neighbors. Therefore everyone is our neighbor. If someone only took the good Samaritan literally, a story about a Samaritan who saves a Jew, he or she would be missing the point.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by lilithu

I think parables are generally shorter stories whereas myths are longer.

I think myth is the overall view; not longer, but larger. The parable tells us a truth about the larger myth in story form.

I like your explanation about the meaning of the Samaratin parable.

2 c,

luna

[d.]

i'm not sure i agree that a parable has one, definite meaning. as i said recently in a different thread, if there was, why bother with the parable?

Originally Posted by Katz

What's a parable?

i quote Alwin L. Baum from his essay "Parable as Paradox in Kafka's stories"; a parable is "[...] an intrinsically paradoxical narrative which, in essence, may mean anything except what it says"

[Katzpur]

Do you see parables as being symbolic? I do. I think they very seldom mean what they appear on the surface to mean. The Parable of the Good Samaritan seems like a straightforward example of how we should treat our neighbor. I believe it is a parable, though, but that it's meant to teach something deeper.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by divine

a parable is "[...] an intrinsically paradoxical narrative which, in essence, may mean anything except what it says"

That's kind of what I'm getting at. When seen merely as an example of kindness towards others, the Good Samaritan doesn't really qualify as a parable.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I think myth is the overall view; not longer, but larger. The parable tells us a truth about the larger myth in story form.

I'll buy that.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by divine

i quote Alwin L. Baum from his essay "Parable as Paradox in Kafka's stories"; a parable is "[...] an intrinsically paradoxical narrative which, in essence, may mean anything except what it says"

How does the Good Samaritan mean "anything except what it says"?

Originally Posted by Katzpur

That's kind of what I'm getting at. When seen merely as an example of kindness towards others, the Good Samaritan doesn't really qualify as a parable.

I'm not sure that I would call it a paradox, but the poignancy of the parable of the Good Samaritan is the identity of the protagonist and what that would mean to a Jewish audience hearing the story. Again, the story was told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?"