Irony in Mark's Gospel Text and Subtext [Hardcover]

Combines a literary-critical approach with insights gained from the sociology of knowledge.An important contribution to our understanding of Marcan irony, and combines a literary-critical approach with insights gained from the sociology of knowledge.An important contribution to our understanding of Marcan irony, and combines a literary-critical approach with insights gained from the sociology of knowledge.In recent years an increasing number of interpreters have found dramatic and verbal ironies widely distributed in Mark's Gospel. This lucid study makes an important contribution to our understanding of Mark's irony, and combines a literary-critical approach with insights gained from the sociology of knowledge. Professor Camery-Hoggatt argues that Mark's ironies are intentional, and that irony comprises an integral factor in Mark's overall strategy of composition: irony is a subtle means to achieve apologetic and paradigmatic ends.Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. Introduction: the problem of irony in Mark; 2. The social functions of irony; 3. The literary functions of narrative; 4. Text and subtext: toward a rhetoric of irony; 5. Irony in the Gospel of Mark; 6. By way of summary; Notes; Bibligraphy; Index. Camery-Hoggatt offers the most systematic, creatively interdisciplinary examination to date of a widely recognized characteristic of Markan style. His work repays careful reading. Theology Today ...a valuable addition to the lengthening list of literary studies which are steadily deepening contemporary understanding of the Gospels. The style is engagingly direct, the observations shrewd and usually to the point, the background in evidence extensive....a very good book... The Catholic Biblical Quarterly This book is a fine introduction to certain types of literary criticism which are compatible with the methods of the sociology of knowledge and a good illustration of how such critcism may be applied to Mark. It should find a place on the reading list of il³9