Theme Of Repetition In Joseph's Story

There are a couple signs of repetition throughout Joseph’s story. There is repetition in opposites. Most of the dreams have a good and evil or opposites within them. For example the seven years of good, following the seven years of famine. The references to the dreams throughout the stories and their interpretations link back to the beginning of early stories. These dreams are important elements of the plot. In the dreams, many numbers are also repeated throughout. For example in Joseph’s first dream he talks about eleven sheaves gathers around and bowing and then refers to eleven stars bowing down to him. Another example is when the cupbearer has a dream about three branches on a vine, indicating three days, and the baker having a dream about three …show more content…
Joseph plays with his brothers to see if they are good men. There is also repetition in how people first are unsure of Joseph or dislike him until he proves to be faithful and helpful. This happens with the Pharaoh after being sent to prison for the accusations of him wanting to be with the Pharaoh's wife and after the brothers come back to Egypt after shipping Joseph off earlier in the story and finally see that he has saved Egypt. This goes along with the repetition of jealousy and betrayal. The brothers are a huge example of this repetition and another is the attention Joseph gets from the Pharaoh that the wife most likely wants. Another repetition is forgiveness. In the end the brothers are forgiven by Joseph. The cupbearer and the baker are also forgiven by the Pharaoh, along with Joseph eventually. The biggest repetition is shown when God fulfills promises through the act of struggling. Most of the repetition helps develop and enhance Joseph’s character. Overall, the repetition throughout the stories helped call out attention to certain things in the stories and show themes in a brighter