Reflection~2 Nephi 19-22 (Isaiah 1:3)

In class, we discussed Nephi’s quotations of Isaiah’s writings. During this time, we examined Isaiah’s poetic form. It was interesting to me that such a topic would be near the center of our class conversation because it lined up well with two of my other classes. When we began looking at Isaiah’s words as poetry, I had just finished writing a close reading paper about a particular poem for my American Literary History class (English 293). I was also in the process of writing a second close reading paper about another poem for my Fundamental Literary Interpretation class (English 251).

“Poetry,” we read from the Jewish Study Bible, “envisions the world metaphorically; it offers an alternative way of seeing reality” (2101). Metaphors are only one example of literary devices that we have discussed in each of three of my classes (Book of Mormon included in that total). Because Isaiah’s words were not originally in English, our interpretation and findings are different than if we were to read them in their original form. However, the metaphors seem consistent despite the language barrier, as exemplified by the passage from class—Isaiah 1:3: “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.” In this verse, Isaiah is indirectly comparing his people to an ox and an ass; he is stating that they even two such animals are wiser than they, for at least the animals know their masters. This message is presented in part through metaphor, and in part through parallelism.

Additionally, I distinctly recall the word “musicality” being used in our Book of Mormon class discussion. That was the word that actually alerted me to the connections between classes. Not many days prior to this class discussion, I had read from one of my English 251 textbooks about such quality of poetic sound. In that class, we also discussed rhythm and meter, both of which contribute to the musicality of the poem.

According to my English 251 professor, an image simply is what it is; a symbol is what it is and more; and a metaphor is not what it is. That is to say that an image of a sunrise, for example, is exactly that—a sunrise. Depending on the context, a sunrise might be a symbol for something, rather than a mere image; in other words, it is a sunrise, but it is also representative of something deeper. A metaphor, like Isaiah’s metaphors of the ox and ass, is only there to represent something else. In Isaiah 1:3 in particular, the metaphor is utilized. However, because of the knowledge I gained from English 251 in regard to these three specific literary devices, I am confident that I am more prepared to recognize when each of these (and other) literary devices are used.

Previously, I had not thought of Isaiah’s writings as poetic. I was frankly intimidated even to attempt to read and understand his words solely because of others’ complaints in regard to them. Thankfully, Professor [Johnson's] enthusiasm for Isaiah’s work—along with my increased understanding of Isaiah’s writing style—have helped prepare me for upcoming quotations of Isaiah, as well as future study of the Old Testament.

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