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 device, a fictional tell in northern Israel called
"Makor". Prosaically, the name comes from a freshwater well just north of
Makor, but symbolically it stands for much more, historically and spiritually.
Unlike most Michener novels, this book is not in strict chronological order. A
parallel frame story set in Israel in the 1960s supports the historical
timeline. Archaeologists digging at the tell at 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 book follows the story of
the Family of Ur from a Stone Age family whose wife begins to believe that there
is a supernatural force, which slowly leads us to the beginnings of
monotheism. The descendants are not aware of the ancient antecedents
revealed to the reader by the all-knowing writer as the story
progresses through the Davidic kingdom, Hellenistic times, Roman times, etc. The
site is continually inhabited until the end of the Crusades when it is destroyed
by the victorious Mameluks and is not rebuilt by the Ottomans.
Chapter list The Tell – 1963, three archeologists, a
Jew, a Catholic, and a Muslim, are at a modern archeological dig. The story
moves back and forth between the historical chapters and the modern dig
at the tell at Makor. The Bee-Eater – Introduction to the Ur
family in Stone Age times and their first move into an agricultural society.
Of Death and Life – Starting prior to 2000 BCE, the concept of an ultimate
supreme being takes root with the introduction of the Cult of El, as are
some barbaric and mystic practices, like child sacrifice and temple prostitution.
An Old Man and His God – Bronze Age, an early view of Hebrews as they moved from
the desert life into Canaan and brought along the early teachings of El Shaddai.
Makor is sacked by the Hebrews in 1491 BCE.
Psalm of the Hoopoe Bird – Takes place 1040–970 BCE, during the last years of
King David. The Voice of Gomer – Takes place 605 BCE
– 562 BCE. Following the Egyptian defeat at the Battle of Carchemish,
Nebuchadnezzar II marches into the Levant and deports the Jews to Babylon.
In the Gymnasium – 222–187 BCE, Jewish life under the Seleucid Empire.
King of the Jews – 74 BCE – 4 CE: this chapter is told in epistolary form and
describes the rise of the ambitious Herod the Great to his eventual downfall
into madness. Yigal and His Three Generals – 12-70 CE:
this chapter begins with rule of the mad Caligula and his attempt to force
idolatry on the Jews. After his death, he was replaced by the madder Nero, who
ordered Vespasian to repress Josephus and the Jewish rebellion.
The Law – This chapter takes place after the Empress Helena's pilgrimage to the
Holy Land. Christianity is being forced in Galilee as churches are
mass-produced. This chapter is about two Jews who convert to Christianity due to
the strictness of the Talmud, but are soon disenfranchised by the Christian
Schism. This chapter is also the fictional origin of St. Mark.
A Day in the Life of a Desert Rider – This chapter begins with the
introduction of Islam to the Holy Land by Muslim conquests.
Volkmar – This chapter opens with Peter the Hermit as he travels the European
countryside in search of participants for the ill-fated People's Crusade. It
concludes with the First Crusade and the Siege of Jerusalem.
The Fires of Ma Coeur – In 1291, the last crusader strongholds begin to fall
to the Mamaluks. The final stronghold is Acre.
The Saintly Men of Safed – This chapter focuses on the three Rabbis who meet in
Safed while escaping the Spanish Inquisition and European pogroms, and
their culture clashes between Sephardim, Ashkenazim and Kabbalistic traditions.
Twilight of an Empire – In the 1880s the Ottoman Empire is falling apart and this
chapter delves into the deep corruption in the public administration and Sultan
Abdul Hamid II's backlash at reform. Rebbe Itzik and the Sabra – 1948 – The
new state of Israel starts to emerge. This chapter deals with the origins of
two characters in the present day narrative – Ilan Eliav and Vered Bar El.
The Tell – culmination of the novel and rediscovery of the well built and
described in the previous chapter Psalm of the Hoopoe Bird.
Recurring symbols and themes = 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, until 606 BCE.
= Prayer = Later, as modern Judaism begins to take
form, the theme of dedication and tenacity is brought forward again and
again. The final words of many of the book's characters are of prayer; they
are defending their religion with their life. As anti-semitism becomes more
prevalent, this theme grows stronger, as if to show the strength of the faith
that the Jewish people hold. References
The Source, at Random House The Source, at Books on Tape