"Ruben", a Parable for Our Times

Abstract

When a parable has exaggerated details and talking animals, it is sometimes known as an apologist. While themes and justifications for parables / apologists have been practically unchanged for centuries, forms and artifices to address them tend to multiply and draw on innovations, as can be seen in Shelly Oria and Nelly Reifler’s “Ruben” which is where the narrative spills after extrapolating the limits of moral narrative. The complexity resulting from the games of themes, characters, roles justifies exploring the various categories of puzzles that end up giving shape to this story.