by Spark Notes
First published 2014
This study guide helps students navigate Anita Diamant's retelling of Dinah's story from the Book of Genesis. Dinah grows up among the wives of Jacob in ancient Canaan, learning the ways of women from her mothers Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah. She finds love with Prince Shechem, but their union triggers violence that destroys her world. The SparkNotes guide breaks down each chapter with clear analysis. It explains the novel's key themes, motifs, and symbols. Students get review quizzes and essay topics to test their understanding. Harvard students created this accessible guide for late night study sessions and paper writing. The analysis covers Diamant's exploration of female relationships, religious tradition, and survival in a male dominated world.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, contemporary, academic
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, religious-themes
Setting: Canaan
Period: Ancient
107 pages · Kindle Edition · Sparknotes