《旧约圣经》中女性的他者形象分析_英语论文

An Analysis of Women Images as "the Other" in the Old Testament

摘要

在《圣经》所记载的3400多个人物中，女性只占总人数的5%，而其中80%的女性出现在《旧约圣经》中。由男性编撰的《旧约圣经》是父权制文化的产物，女性大多以“他者”的形象出现，处于屈从、忍让的生存状态，从而缺乏平等、自主和独立的主体意识。然而，《圣经》中却有《路得记》和《以斯帖记》两卷以女性名字为书名，生动地描写了父权制文化中女性主体意识的觉醒，所以不能单纯认为《圣经》完全为父权制社会服务。这篇文章通过分析《旧约圣经》中夏娃、路得和以斯帖三位女性代表，来探讨《旧约圣经》中女性的“他者”形象以及女性主体意识的缺失和觉醒。因此，本文有助于了解《圣经》的价值观。同时，《旧约圣经》中女性的生活状况也给当代女性探索他们的生存之道奠定了基础。女性主体意识的慢慢觉醒使得现代女性可以更多地关注他们的自我价值以及实现他们的自我价值。

关键词：《旧约圣经》女性 他者 女性主体意识

Abstract

There are more than 3,400 colorful figures portrayed in the Bible. Among them, females only accounted for the total number of 5% and 80% of women appear in the Old Testament of the Bible. Written by men, the Old Testament is in fact a product of patriarchal culture. Most women in the book are described as “the Other” by men authors. They live in a male-dominated society, being submissive and obedient. Therefore, they lack subjective consciousness of equality, self-autonomy and independence. However, the Book of Ruth and the Book of Esther, both are named by two women’s names, vividly describe the awakening of the consciousness of female subjectivity in the patriarchal culture. For this reason, we cannot only simply claim that the Old Testament completely serves for the patriarchal society. According to the interpretation of three women representatives: Eve, Ruth, Esther, this paper dedicates to analyze women images as “the Other” in the Old Testament and to explore the missing and awakening of consciousness of female subjectivity. Thus, this paper can help academic members have a better understanding of the value of the Bible. At the same time, women’s life in the Old Testament paves the way for modern women’s exploring their living status. Based on the awakening of consciousness of female subjectivity, modern women can pay more attention to their own value and realize their pursuit for self-worth. 

Key words:  The Old Testament  women  “the Other”  female subjectivity