Listening to Trypho : Justin Martyr's 'Dialogue' reconsidered
The primary focus of this thesis is the figure of Trypho in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho, A Jew (mid-second century C.E.). The substance of the thesis is an analysis of Trypho's depiction and function within the text. Focusing exclusively on Trypho provides a new lens through which to view the Dialogue. This approach has revealed instances where Justin's apologetic breaks down and gives an unintended glimpse behind the text. Lifting Trypho out of the text reveals a consistent figure who does not appear to be based on any Jewish stereotype or Christian invention. He is neither Justin's puppet nor is he blindly obdurate. Instead he is depicted as a pre-rabbinic Diaspora Jew whose argumentation style is philosophical, even Socratic. The depiction reveals a voice with its own sensibility, style, and agenda. It is a voice which defies fiction. This process has also caused a reconsideration of the entire text of the Dialogue and its development. This thesis puts forward the hypothesis that within the text of the Dialogue there is a core-text comprised almost exclusively of dialogue material. I have named this hypothetical text the Trypho Text. This reconstructed Trypho Text forms a more cohesive and understandable
Horner, Timothy J.
Jews; Judaism
Listening to Trypho : Justin Martyr's 'Dialogue' reconsidered. The primary focus of this thesis is the figure of Trypho in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho, A Jew (mid-second century C.E.). The substance of the thesis is an analysis of Trypho's depiction and function within the text. Focusing exclusively on Trypho provides a new lens through which to view the Dialogue. This approach has revealed instances where Justin's apologetic breaks down and gives an unintended glimpse behind the text. Lifting Trypho out of the text reveals a consistent figure who does not appear to be based on any Jewish stereotype or Christian invention. He is neither Justin's puppet nor is he blindly obdurate. Instead he is depicted as a pre-rabbinic Diaspora Jew whose argumentation style is philosophical, even Socratic. The depiction reveals a voice with its own sensibility, style, and agenda. It is a voice which defies fiction. This process has also caused a reconsideration of the entire text of the Dialogue and its development. This thesis puts forward the hypothesis that within the text of the Dialogue there is a core-text comprised almost exclusively of dialogue material. I have named this hypothetical text the Trypho Text. This reconstructed Trypho Text forms a more cohesive and understandable
listening justin martyr dialogue primary_focus figure justin martyr dialogue jew substance analysis depiction function_within text focusing exclusively provide_new lens view dialogue revealed instance justin apologetic break give unintended glimpse behind text text_reveals consistent figure appear base jewish stereotype christian invention neither justin instead depict pre rabbinic diaspora jew whose argumentation style philosophical even socratic depiction reveals voice sensibility style agenda voice fiction process also cause reconsideration entire text dialogue development put_forward hypothesis within text dialogue core text comprise almost_exclusively dialogue material name hypothetical text text reconstruct text form cohesive