Response paper

1) Summarize Hobbs’ miracle story structure. Summarize a popular TV commercial that you think follows Hobbs’ miracle story structure. Analyze the commercial in terms of Hobbs’ categories. How is it similar? How is it different?
Nike’s Just Do It Commercials are prime examples of a Hobbs’ miracle story structure, because rather than something out of the ordinary happening that is unnatural a miracle is an occurrence that is life changing. Therefore Hobbs classes a miracle as an event that is wonderful (Hobbs). A wonderful event could be a realization of faith in one’s self or in the case of religious scriptures the divine. If this is how to define a miracle then obviously child birth is a miracle, because it is the realization that a normal biological event has brought a brand new life into the world. If one considers that the Nike advert the realization and self fulfillment of individual attaining goals that are believed to beyond that individual’s capabilities can be considered wonderful. The main difference between Hobbs’ miracle story structure and the Nike advert is that usually a miracle is the realization of the divine; as opposed to self-fulfillment of the individual. Yet, as Hobbs indicates a miracle changes with society and culture; therefore in modern culture a lot of what was thought miraculous and the act of the divine can be explained through scientific fact. Therefore the miraculous is more to do with faith, whether it is in the divine, nature or one’s self. Hence, the angle of the miraculous as self-realization, as life changing or wonderful then in the modern era where a considerable amount of people have turned away from the external belief of the divine to self-fulfillment. In many ways the Nike advert is like the miracle story presented by Hobbs because it is indicating that there are wonderful, life changing events as long as one has either faith in themselves or the divine. The main difference is that the divine is no longer necessary.
2) Read Staley and Walsh, “ Hayes” and Note at least three significant differences between the three versions of the story (think in terms of plot, setting, dialogue, characters). How would most scholars account for the similarities? What might account for the differences?
Hayes’ family movie of Jesus is quite an interesting take, because it picks parts from the Gospels of Mark, Luke and John and creates another version of the miracles of Jesus. The first interesting point is that Hayes uses Luke’s version of Mary Magdalene whereby she is not a prostitute; rather she is demon infected. This version is the most gender friendly, because over the years Christianity has been condemned for being sexist. Therefore by Hayes using this version is a lot better for promoting equality between the sexes within Christianity. Also the meaning of prostitute may be different than the modern version, because Mary was a married woman who forsakes her family because she was crazed and demon infected. Therefore it may be that the other two versions of the story of Jesus are relating to the fact that she was loose with the traditional morals of mother and wife. However, the primary reason behind Hayes focusing on Luke’s version is primarily to do with the changing roles of women and to call a woman a prostitute for forsaking her duties as mother and wife would not correlate with modern thinking. The character of Tamar is also a point of difference between the gospels, because she is in Mark and Luke but not John. Also Hayes portrays her as younger and not betrothed. The primary reason for Hayes’ difference is because betrothing her at 12 years old is not acceptable in the modern era. In Mark and Luke she is an important figure of youth, innocence and faith hence Hayes making her younger, whilst John’s version is a lot darker and volatile therefore a different approach to the crucifixion story. It does not mean that the character does not exist; rather she is important to different versions of the story. Hayes’ portrayal of her youth is important to the family audience and to bringing the story of Christ to the younger audiences that a puppet show would befit. Finally, the role of Judas is much more prominent in John’s Gospel and as his is the darker version would explain the stronger focus on this character. Hayes’ use of John’s Gospel is important to get a full picture of the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ; as well as presenting the importance of morality and trust over selfishness and betrayal. Therefore as Hayes’ uses all three Gospel stories to portray the life of Christ because of modern thinking and the audience he is relating too, so do the Gospel writers themselves. Each story has a different emphasis and view because each audience is different and certain characters and events are more important to their particular audience.