As a reaction to Vashti’s act, the King removes the Queen, stripping her of her titles and banishing her from court, and in doing so giving her permission to do exactly what she wants to do, namely staying away from the King (Reid, pp. 90). Vashti is not mentioned again, and the King needs to find a new Queen. After a gap of a few years, the Jewish girl Esther comes in (Esther 2). She is described as a beautiful girl who “was admired by all who saw her” (NSRV, Esther 2:15). Esther is eventually chosen by King Ahasuerus to become his Queen and is given titles, lands, and a banquet. By, among other things, staying modest, not asking for much, and uncovering a plot against the King with the help of her foster father Mordecai, Esther becomes a trusted person at court. And for a long time, Esther keeps …show more content…
6). From a feminist approach, Esther can be seen as an “example of feminine intelligence that wields its own power, even when it encounters male domination” (Reid, pp. 95). In Esther 4:15-17, Esther takes control, ordering Mordecai to organize a three-day fast among the Jewish population. In this, she takes on the role as a religious leader (Fox), a role that is mainly assumed by men. After the fast, Esther tries to stop the planned genocide by breaking the law and risking her life rather than using her charm. First, she traps Haman by being manipulative (Esther 5-7), then she falls weeping at the King’s feet begging him to annul Haman’s decree of genocide, risking her life (Esther 8:3-8). But the royal decree could not be annulled, so instead King Ahasuerus allowed the Jews to fight back. Because of this act, Esther, now grown into her position, can be viewed as a heroine saving her people, and she is depicted as this heroine by many