Abstract
It is the thesis of this article that a secular form of the biblical Exodus pattern is used by Woody Allen in his Broadway Danny Rose. In the history of the Bible, and its interpretation, the Exodus pattern is again and again used as a model for inspiration: from oppression to deliverance. It was an important source of both argument and symbolism during the American Revolution. It was used by the Boer nationalists fighting the British Empire and it comes to life in the hand of liberation theology in South America. The use of this pattern and its use during the seder meal is to be taken loosely here: Exodus is not a theory, but a story, a “Big Story” that became part of the cultural consciousness of the West and quite a few other parts of the world. Although the Exodus story is in the first place an account of deliverance or liberation in a religious context and framework, in Broadway Danny Rose it is used as a moral device about how to survive in the modern wilderness.
Highlights
Research of the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology, Tilburg University, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands; Abstract: It is the thesis of this article that a secular form of the biblical Exodus pattern is used by
“Rubin-Dorsky has written that Woody Allen in Broadway Danny Rose aims to show that egocentricity in the American world is not the solution and that for one moment in this movie Allen finds a nurturing spiritual connection to the Jewish past . . . ”. (Rubin-Dorsky 2003, p. 265)
The question is: what makes a film a Jewish film and, especially, what makes this film a Jewish film? Is it the context of Jewish secular comedians in New York, which is the framework for this film? Or is it the person of Danny Rose, who constantly refers to the wisdom of his Jewish relatives?
Summary
“Rubin-Dorsky has written that Woody Allen in Broadway Danny Rose aims to show that egocentricity in the American world is not the solution and that for one moment in this movie Allen finds a nurturing spiritual connection to the Jewish past . . . ”. (Rubin-Dorsky 2003, p. 265). Somewhere in the middle of the film Broadway Danny Rose, main character Danny Rose compares himself to Moses. That method is usually used for relationships between texts, but in this article the aim is to contextualize the image and story of a film by Woody Allen using Jewish interpretations of the Exodus story (for Allen and intertextuality, see Fortin 1996). The aim of this article is to elaborate on two elements of the way that Exodus tradition is presented in this movie: (1) actualization of the Exodus as a model for deliverance is related to eating together; and (2) it is fundamental that the wisdom of Exodus can only be passed on if it is actualized, which enables Woody Allen to compare his protagonist Danny
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
