Friday, November 28, 2014
Augustine
http://www.transpositions.co.uk/2013/08/the-senses-are-not-content-to-take-second-place-body-art-and-temptation-in-augustines-confessions/
Augustine's Confessions
Augustine’s Confessions is an autobiography of Augustine’s life. He wrote it in the years of 397 to 430. It consisted of him retelling many parts and
specific stories of his life. He was a highly
religious Christian towards the end of his time and confessed many of his sins
and negative thoughts in the work.
The genre of the confessions is non-fiction and one
of the main themes is God and Augustine tells of his conversion to Christianity. The first book accounting his childhood
begins focusing on God. “What have I to
say to Thee, God, save that I know not where I came from, when I came into this
life-in-death—or should I call it death-in-life? I do not know, I only know
that the gifts Your mercy has provided sustained me from the first moment: not
that I remember it but so I have heard from the parents of my flesh, the father
from whom, and the mother in whom, You fashioned me in time.” This first section in his work illustrates
his focus on God and Christianity.
Throughout the text he views himself as a sinner,
specifically the pear tree incident where him and some friends stole pears off
a tree and threw them to hogs. He
states, “Our only pleasure in doing it was that it was forbidden.” The whole work is a confession of his
wrongdoings in an apologetic standpoint.
Augustine refers to God in his work closely and intimately. I found the pear tree incident comparable to
that of current times. I argue similar
situations are present today among both children and adults. He states, “For once I had gathered them I
threw them away, tasting only my own sin and savoring that with delight; for if
I took so much as a bite of any of those pears, it was the sin that sweetened
it.” People often act out of impulse and do something or disobey authority
“just to do it”.
I found Augustine’s
Confessions very interesting in the reality of it and coming straight from
the source of one man’s account of his own life and personal experiences and
feelings. Augustine says, “I came to
Carthage where a cauldron of illicit loves leapt and boiled about me. I was not
yet in love, but I was in love with love, and from the very depth of my need
hated myself for not more keenly feeling the need.” While reading the text, I appreciated his honesty
and the detailed description of his feelings.
His honesty and trueness in his work makes it relatable to today despite
how long ago Augustine lived and when the confessions were written.
Question
for the class:
·
List some
comparisons of the work to modern culture. How Augustine acted? How he felt? Are
there any types of work that closely compare to the his confessions?
·
List some
differences to modern culture.
·
List some
recurring themes
·
Do some research
and find more information about Augustine. What was the culture like? Was he
ever persecuted for his religion?
Work Cited
Puchner, Martin.
"Augustine’s Confessions" The Norton Anthology: World Literature.
Shorter Third Ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013. 832-858.
Print.
Daodejing by Laozi
The
Daodejing is an old Chinese text that was produced during the sixth through the
third centuries. The author is not
entirely known but is said to be Laozi, a master. The work is an instruction manual to the
people on how to rule and gain power and success. It is based on “nonaction” and passiveness. The chapters are in rhythmic verses and it is
of a philosophical genre. The genre of
the text evokes that of mysterious instruction and deep thinking.
I found the text very interesting in the way of the
unknown. The first time I read through
it, I found it strangely complicated and confusing but then once I read the
introduction and learned some of the background on it, I found it easier and
more enjoyable to read. As I went on, I
appreciated the simplicity and language of the text. For example, in the XXXVIII chapter it
states, “A man of the highest virtue does not keep to virtue and that is why he
has virtue. A man of the lowest virtue never strays from virtue and that is why
he is without virtue.” The way I
interpreted this section was relating to being humble and not searching and
constantly striving for virtue and esteem.
I argue, instruction similar to this text exists today. Words of wisdom continue to be passed down
through word of mouth and in religious texts.
One thing I found odd in the text was the reference
to “The Way” and “The Virtue”. I found
the text interesting due to how different it was. I have little background in ancient
literature and the Daodejing was unlike anything I have read before. As I studied the text, I found the text
artful and beautiful in its language and simplicity.
One term that came up several times in the text was
myriad, linked with creatures. I have
seen this word before; however, I did not know the meaning. I looked it up and it is defined as great,
many or infinite in number. One place
myriad is used in one of the chapters is, “The way is empty, yet use will not
drain it. Deep, it is like the ancestor of the myriad creatures.” In this section, I considered it to be
referring to the predecessor of innumerable creatures.
Question
for the class:
·
How does this
text compare to current works of literature of our culture?
·
Lists some symbolism
within the work?
·
How do you view
the instruction and behavior the text suggests? Do you agree or disagree with
teachings?
·
List some
differences to modern culture.
·
How does Chinese
literature that is produced today compare to the Daodejing?
·
Do some research
and find more information about the authors of the text? Who? Why? When?
Work Cited
"Myriad."
Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myriad>.
Puchner, Martin.
"Daodejing/ Laozi." The Norton Anthology: World Literature.
Shorter Third Ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013. 780-790.
Print.
The Trojan Women - Modern Take of the Play - Movie Released 1971
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067881/
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