Moses, Man of the Mountain: Analysis of Major Characters
"Moses, Man of the Mountain: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the rich tapestry of characters surrounding Moses in the biblical narrative. At the center is Moses, portrayed as an Egyptian prince who forsakes a life of comfort and power to lead the oppressed Hebrews to freedom, embodying wisdom and selflessness. His uncle, Pharaoh Ta-Phar, serves as a foil, characterized by cruelty and a lust for power, which fuels his animosity towards Moses. The text also highlights Jethro, Moses' mentor and father-in-law, whose wisdom and support are pivotal in guiding Moses towards his divine mission.
Key female figures include Zipporah, Moses' devoted wife, whose aspirations for greatness contrast with Moses' humble leadership, and Miriam, a prophetess whose actions significantly impact the narrative. Aaron, Moses’ brother, grapples with ambition and insecurity, leading to a complex relationship with power. Finally, Joshua emerges as a loyal ally, illustrating the theme of mentorship and service. Together, these characters enrich the story, reflecting diverse motivations and the struggle for freedom, identity, and leadership within this profound historical and spiritual context.
Moses, Man of the Mountain: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Zora Neale Hurston
First published: 1939
Genre: Novel
Locale: Egypt and the wilderness around Mount Sinai
Plot: Allegory
Time: Biblical times, during the Exodus
Moses, an Egyptian prince who leads the enslaved Hebrews out of Egypt. A great soldier and the most powerful magician in the land, he also possesses great wisdom and an understanding of psychology. He is a born leader, but he has no ambition for power or glory. For a period of more than fifty years, Moses gives up what could be a happy and comfortable existence with his wife and family and repeatedly refuses to reign as a crowned and jeweled king, so that he can serve God and teach the Hebrews to rule themselves under God's laws.
Pharaoh Ta-Phar, Moses' uncle, the leader of Egypt and an oppressor of the Hebrews. It was Pharaoh Ta-Phar's father who enslaved the Hebrews, but the new pharaoh is crueler to them than was his father. He has hated and feared Moses since both were young and Moses began to outshine Ta-Phar with his superior fighting ability. His idea of a proper siege is a large body of well-trained fighting men riding into battle, with Ta-Phar in a glorious chariot riding in front. He is proud and stubborn, accepting the lavish robes and titles of power without accepting the responsibility.
Jethro, also named Ruel, Moses' mentor and father-in-law, a prince and a priest of Midian. Jethro is already graying at the beginning of his seventy-five-year friendship with Moses, and he has more knowledge of magic and nature than any of the priests in Egypt. Wise, strong, and simple, he teaches Moses everything he can. When he believes that Moses is ready, he reveals to Moses the dream he has had for forty years: a great leader taking the Hebrews out of Egypt to worship one god. When Moses shows no desire for a great mission, it is Jethro's insistence that finally makes him accept his destiny.
Zipporah, Jethro's daughter, Moses' first love and second wife. When she marries Moses in her youth, she is beautiful beyond compare, with dark skin, brilliant black eyes, crinkly hair, and full, dark lips. She loves Moses and makes him a happy home but can never conquer her desire for him to be a great king so that she can be a great king's wife.
Miriam, a Hebrew prophetess who becomes the leader of the Hebrew women in exile. At the age of twelve, she invents the story of Moses being adopted by an Egyptian princess to cover up the fact that her infant brother disappeared while under her watch. Twenty-five years later, Miriam starts the rumor among the Egyptians that Prince Moses actually is her Hebrew brother, starting the chain of events that causes Moses to leave Egypt and find his destiny. In exile, believing herself to be as great as Moses, Miriam demands more credit for the Exodus—as well as more robes, jewelry, power, and respect.
Aaron, the brother of Miriam and the missing infant, and a leader of the enslaved Hebrews. Like Miriam and the pharaoh, he is drawn to the trappings of power. Although he tries to appear arrogant and brave, he is actually rather stupid and weak, although he is a good public speaker. Because Moses has told him, untruthfully, that God called Aaron by name to help free the Hebrews, Aaron believes that he should have a larger share of Moses'power and glory. While Moses is away conferring with God, Aaron casts the golden calf but then denies responsibility for it.
Joshua, a military leader of the Hebrews and Moses' confidant. When Joshua first enters Moses' service, he is a curly-headed youth in his mid-teens. Moses is drawn to him because he is the first Hebrew to offer his service without asking for anything for himself. From being head of the boys' military society, he eventually becomes leader of all the Hebrew military forces but continues to serve Moses personally. From Moses, he learns to read and write and learns about strategy and discipline. He is respected and admired by the men under him.