The Book of Esther: Motifs, Themes and Structure

Abstract

Sandra Berg's analysis of Esther's thematic, stylistic and rhetorical features demonstrates the presence of interacting, dominant motifs. Ms. Berg shows that the motifs provide symmetry and balance to the narrative, indicating a unified composition. She further illustrates how the motifs articulate the narrator's theological concerns and suggest the underlying reasons for his composition of the tale in its present form.