The Short Story of Esther
Subplots, Irony, and Foreshadowing in the Bible's Most Literary Book
Aug 19, 2008
The story of “Esther” is a wonderful tale of court intrigue and personal courage. It would seem like a minor story in contrast to many of the other books of the Bible, most of which seem much more intrinsic to the overall theme, but it is an extremely important tale of how one woman saved a nation.
The Bible’s Literary Book
Besides this significance, however, “Esther” is an extremely interesting book of the Bible in that it is arranged in a very modern sense as far as its literary qualities go. Ripe with irony, foreshadowing, and drama, “Esther” is one of the most literary books of the Bible.
Secondary Conflicts and Subplots
One example is the introduction of secondary conflicts and subplots within the narrative. While we have the main conflict, that of the impending doom of the Jews—by the King’s decree—at the hands of Haman, we also have two subplots, Haman’s plot to kill Mordecai, and Esther’s plans for entering into the king’s presence uncalled for.
Both subplots very neatly mirror the main plot, each of the three dealing with the death of a Jew (or the Jews) and how it will be avoided, yet each resolves differently, with the two subplots adding dimension to the overall main thrust of the story.
The thread about Mordecai ends with his bravery and loyalty to the king proving out his worth. While the story of Esther’s going before the king comes to climax with an interesting turn of phrase, denoting the beauty and erotic worth of the queen, as she is saved from death by the King holding forth his golden scepter and she “approached and touched the top of the scepter.”
Both of these subplots combine with the ultimate conclusion of the story where the Jewish people are allowed to take up arms to defend themselves, thus together extolling the inherent worth and value of the Jewish people on a very visceral level.
Foreshadowing and Irony
Perhaps the best example of literary devices in Esther can be seen in the foreshadowing and irony that fills the end of the tale. The foreshadowing by Haman’s wife of his coming destruction is unique in its form in the Bible up to this point, with a truly literary sense to it.
Following the embarrassment Haman suffers at having to lead Mordecai through the streets in a place of honor his wife presages “If Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun is of the Jewish people, you will not prevail against him, but will surely fall before him.” In light of the minor nature of Mordecai’s triumph, this dark prophecy is interesting in its summation of what is to come.
Of course this plays into the excellent ironies of the book. The first being when the King asks Haman how to honor someone and Haman inadvertently, believing himself to be the focus of this honor, heaps rewards by his own hands on the very man, Mordecai, he desperately hates.
Then there is the ironic pleasure that Haman takes in being singled out by Queen Esther to attend her banquets with the king. Of course his being singled out is what will lead to his death, and is for the purpose of laying the King’s wrath upon him.
This leads to the most poetic of ironies within the book, Haman being hung on the very scaffold he had built to hang Mordecai, while Mordecai is handed all of Haman’s wealth. This final irony is really the summation of all the others as well, as we see that all of Haman’s plotting inevitably leads to his reaping what he intended for his enemies.
Esther is a delightful and fun book. It’s probably the most secular book of the entire Bible and definitely one of the most story-esque. Its use of literary forms and devices is more subtle than its more didactic brothers and sisters, yet its importance to the Jewish people cannot be missed, nor can its value as a short story be underplayed.
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