Dr. Vayntrub suggests that, for Esther, being queen entails “tolerating humiliation for a greater purpose” [4:05]. Discuss this observation. Do you agree with this interpretation of Esther’s role in the story? Why or why not?
Do you view Vashti as a “feminist icon?” In what ways was Vashti’s situation different from or similar to Esther’s?
Esther is sometimes called “The Book of Hiding.” Where do you see the theme of concealment showing up in this text? How do you interpret the fact that God is not explicitly mentioned in this story?
Dr. Baden suggests that the book of Esther’s structure ultimately centers female experience [10:04], but Dr. Vayntrub disagrees. What do you think? Can Esther be read as a feminist narrative?