DETAILED ANALYSIS
Paragraph I
Why did Joseph's brethren fall "before him on the ground"? Prostration is the Eastern mode of signifying profound respect, complete submission.
What is the meaning of "divine"? In this sense, to look into the future; to see what is hidden from ordinary people.
Does Joseph claim explicitly to have this ability? No, he merely suggests it, probably to impress them with the idea of his power.
What does Judah mean by "the iniquity of thy servants"? Doubtless he has in mind the wrong that they committed years before, in selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites and deceiving their father. Verses 21 and 22 of the 42nd chapter of Genesis go to show that the consciousness of this sin was ever before them.
What was Judah's attitude toward the accusation brought against them? He frankly confesses the guilt of all—not of Benjamin only.
Why do you think he adopts this attitude, when he must have been sure that all were guiltless? He perhaps believes that they are victims of a conspiracy, the object of which is to place them in the power of this Egyptian governor, and he thinks that this submissive attitude is best calculated to secure mercy at his hands.
How do you account for Joseph's apparent desire to keep Benjamin in Egypt, with himself? Probably he thinks this the best means of inducing his father, Jacob, to come to Egypt. However, he may not really intend to keep Benjamin at all. He may be making the threat only to test Judah. It may be remembered that it was Judah who had counselled the selling of Joseph years before. Joseph may now be trying to see if Judah is the same kind of man he was when the selling into Egypt took place—whether he will sacrifice Benjamin in this extremity as he sacrificed Joseph himself.
If the latter is Joseph's object, how does the experiment succeed? It proves that Judah is a different man, that the years that have elapsed have produced a remarkable change in his character.
Paragraph II
Of what does Judah's entreaty largely consist? Of a recital of the governor's orders and of Jacob's attachment to Benjamin, the son in whom all the thoughts, hopes, and desires of his old age are centred.
Upon what does Judah lay the greatest emphasis? Upon the effect that Benjamin's detention will have upon his father. Evidently the brothers are very anxious to spare their father any unnecessary grief and pain.
For what purpose is the whole speech specially adapted? To stir the emotions. It is suited to appeal to the feelings of anybody, but, particularly, to the feelings of Egypt's governor, though his identity is still unknown.
Which are the most pathetic sentences? The two beginning with, "And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man", and "Now, therefore, when I come to thy servant, my father, and the lad be not with us".
What features of the speech would make the strongest appeal to Joseph? The reference to his father's old age and his attachment to Benjamin; his belief in Joseph's untimely end; the blow that separation from Benjamin would involve; Judah's willingness to sacrifice himself.
What light does the speech throw upon Judah's character? It shows a capacity for intense feeling, a deep devotion to his father, and a spirit of self-sacrifice. It might indicate also a shrewd knowledge of human nature, for he apparently knows how to present the case in the most effective manner.
What is the meaning of "thou art even as Pharaoh"? Thou art as mighty as the king of Egypt.
Explain "thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father". Judah had given Jacob a guarantee that Benjamin should return safely.
Select any figurative expression and give its meaning. "Thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave." The blow which separation from Benjamin would involve will cause the aged father to die of a broken heart.
What are the main characteristics of the supplication? The language is simple and direct, the feeling is of the loftiest character, and the whole speech is highly eloquent. If the test of true eloquence is the intensity of the appeal it makes to worthy emotions, this passage may well be regarded as one of the most eloquent in all literature.
Paragraph III
Did Joseph purposely select this as the most fitting moment to reveal himself? No. He revealed himself because he could not help it and because Judah's appeal had so worked upon his feelings. The first sentence of the paragraph indicates this.
Why did he send every man away except his brothers? He did not wish others to see his own lack of self-control or his brothers' shame and embarrassment. Moreover, it was a solemn situation, too sacred for vulgar eyes to gaze upon.
We are told that he "wept aloud", that "he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept", that "he kissed all his brethren", etc. Is he unduly demonstrative? Eastern people are much more emotional and demonstrative than Western people.
Why did he have to repeat his assurance that he was Joseph? The first announcement was so amazing that it seemed incredible to them. Moreover, all his previous communications had been through an interpreter and, no doubt, their amazement was increased by hearing him address them in their own tongue.
Upon what ground did Joseph tell his brothers that they should not blame themselves for selling him into Egypt? Upon the ground that God had brought good out of the evil they had done.
Is he quite right in telling them that they should not be grieved for the wrong they did him? They were free agents; God did not will that they should sin, though He brought good out of it. From this point of view Joseph is wrong. But he doubtless sees that his brothers have long ago repented their action and does not wish them to continue to blame themselves. His assurance is no doubt prompted by a noble generosity induced, to some extent, by Judah's appeal.
What seems to be Joseph's dominating motive? His love for his father. His repeated references to him show this.
We can understand his desire to provide for his father and Benjamin, but why for his brothers who had wronged him? Partly for his father's sake, perhaps. It was natural, in those patriarchal days, that Jacob, if he migrated to Egypt, should wish his family to do the same. Besides, Joseph sees that his brothers are changed men.
What inducements does he hold out to them? He shows them that his own power in Egypt is sufficient to protect them; he promises them the fertile land of Goshen, with sufficient food for themselves and their flocks and herds; and he points out that five years of famine are yet to be in the land, and that they must inevitably suffer if the invitation is rejected.
Joseph frequently draws attention to his power in Egypt. Is he at all vain-glorious? No, he does this to assure his brothers that the wrong done him years before has had, through the goodness of God, a beneficent result; to show them that it has not been all suffering in his long exile; and to induce his father to come down to Egypt.
"After that his brethren talked with him." About what would they probably talk? No doubt Joseph would ask many things about what had occurred in Canaan since he left, and would give his brothers an account of his own experiences in Egypt.
Does it not seem strange that Joseph, during all these years, should never have taken measures to find out how his kindred fared, or to assure them that he was still alive? He was probably ever looking forward to such a situation as this, confident that the dreams of his boyhood would still be realized. It was, perhaps, this belief in the ultimate fulfilment of his dreams that had kept him silent during these years.
What qualities of character does Joseph show in his speech? A spirit of noble generosity and forgiveness, filial devotion, and a desire to find good in the midst of seeming evil.
Point out passages that indicate these qualities. What admirable characteristics does the whole selection exhibit? Simplicity, directness, and eloquence of language, noble emotion, loftiness of character, and high ideals.
As a final synthesis of the lesson, let the pupils tell the story in their own words, preserving, as far as possible, the same order of ideas as is followed in the extract. This will reveal to the teacher whether they have grasped the ideas in their proper relationship.
MERCY
(Fourth Reader, page 89)
THE SETTING OF THE SELECTION
This selection is taken from Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice, iv. i. In this play, Shylock, a Jew of Venice, had loaned Antonio three thousand ducats, repayable on a certain date without interest, but if not so paid, Antonio was to forfeit a pound of flesh from such part of his body as pleased the Jew. Antonio, not being able to pay the money as agreed, Shylock sued for the fulfilment of the bond, and in court refused to accept even three times the amount borrowed, insisting on a pound of the merchant's flesh. According to the law, there appeared to be no help for Antonio, but the judge, Portia, asked Shylock to show mercy. To this he answered, "On what compulsion must I? Tell me that." This selection is part of Portia's reply to Shylock's question. The teacher should relate to the pupils the outline given above.