The Source (novel)
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| Author | James A. Michener |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jean-Paul Tremblay |
| Country | United States of America |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Released | 1965 |
The Source is a historical novel by James A. Michener, first published in 1965. It is a survey of the history of the Jewish people and the land of Israel from pre-monotheistic days to the birth of the modern State of Israel. The Source uses for its central metaphor a fictional tel in northern Israel called "Makor," literally, "the source."
A parallel frame story set in modern-day Israel supports the historical timeline. Archeaologists digging at the tel in Makor uncover artifacts from each layer, which then serve as the basis for a chapter exploring the lives of the people involved with that artifact. The novel begins with a Stone Age family whose daughter begins to realize that there is a supernatural source, then leads us to the beginnings of monotheism, the Davidic kingdom, Hellenistic times, Roman times, etc. It follows the story of the Family of Ur from the age of cave men to modern times, with its descendants now living in Gaililee. Some consider The Source Michener's most popular book.
[edit] Chapter List
- The Tell
- The Bee Eater
- Of Death and Life
- An Old Man and His God
- Psalm of the Hoopoe Bird
- The Voice of Gomer
- In the Gymnasium
- King of the Jews
- Yigal and His Three Generals
- The Law
- A Day in the Life of a Desert Rider
- Volkmar
- The Fires of Ma Coeur
- The Saintly Men of Safed
- Twilight of an Empire
- Rebbe Itzik and the Sabra
- The Tell
[edit] Recurring symbols and themes
[edit] Fertility/The phallic
In the early civilizations, the concept of fertility sprouts from agriculture, and the desire for a fruitful harvest. During the earliest layer of history, the giant stone idol named El is created to please the earth, and bring good crops.
As society moves away from a rural and agricultural existence, fertility is given less and less importance. The phallic is present from the stone age (The Bee Eater), until 606 b.c.e.(The Voice of Gomer).
