Many authors like to use figurative language when portraying feelings and emotions in their writings. Using figurative language conveys an image in the reader’s mind, providing them with a better understanding. Both authors, Jonathan Edwards, in his story, “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God,” and Dekanawida, in his story, “The Iroquois Constitution,” use figurative speech. However, they use this technic to bring different emotions into play. There are many similarities and differences between both of the writings.
In Jonathan Edwards’ short story he uses many similes to create fear. For example, “His wrath toward you burns like fire;” (Edwards 49). Fire is destructive, powerful, and consuming, giving the reader the image that His wrath is dangerous. Dekanawida uses symbolism to represent and enhance an idea. He writes, “Five arrows shall be bound together very strong and each arrow shall represent one nation. As the five arrows are strongly bound this shall symbolize the complete union of the nations,” (Dekanawida 110). The arrows are weapons that represent strength and when they are bound by a strong cord, the reader visualizes the inseparable strength the nations have. Dekanawida uses his figurative language to inspire and show the strength of unity. Jonathan uses it to
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create fear. In another example, Dekanawida symbolizes a tree as great peace between five nations in this following quote, “Under the shade of this Tree of the Great Peace,” (Dekanawida 110).
Trees provide shelter from the weather and the image of a protective tree makes the reader feel that peace will be secure. Jonathan creates fear by symbolizing bugs and insects as people that are being held over fire, “The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked:” (Edwards 49). The image and comparison that God see’s people as insignificant as bugs helps the reader understand the author’s
message. In conclusion, writers use figurative language to express a feeling of emotion, or to help the reader better understand complex ideas. Both the authors use figurative language and give the reader a better understanding of the text given. The language used provides an image in the reader’s mind that connects them closer to the ideas being expressed. Figurative language is an effective way to communicate divers emotions, and ideas, making the text unique, interesting, and personal for the reader. Though similar in the use of figurative speech, each text uses images to promote very different emotions and ideas.
Jonathan Edwards creates a more effective argument for the intended audience in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” than “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” written by Patrick Henry, by utilizing various techniques. Patrick Henry makes a strong argument however in the end, Edwards’ sermon grows to be more effective. Edwards creates the argument by strengthening the writing through tone, structure, fallacies and knowledge of the congregation that became his audience. Henry’s piece uses methods of oratory persuasion but the actual topic of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” has an advantage from the start by appealing to fear, a fallacy of logic. Even with the strong basis “The Speech in the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry, Edwards’ “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God” proves the more effective piece in the end.
In his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, by Jonathan Edwards he displays the Puritan belief that men are saved by grace. Edward, however, use rhetorical devices to make his sermon persuasive by using vibrant images and figure of speech to make these men repent.
When an author romanticizes a piece of literature, he or she has the power to convey any message he or she wishes to send to the reader. Authors can make even the most horrible actions, such as Dustan murdering ten savages in their sleep and justify it; somehow, from both the type of mood/tone set in this piece of literature, along with the powerful word choice he used, Whittier had the ability to actually turn the tables on to the victim (i.e. the ten “savages” who were murdered in their sleep). “A Mother’s Revenge” by John Greenleaf Whittier, is a prime example of how authors can romanticize any situation into how they want to convey their message.
In the passages “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards and “Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne are both powerful text. Edwards used more of an effective style to get his point through. He used a harsh and blunt tone to prove the God is a powerful man and can strike at any time but does not. This is why his text is better that Hawthornes.
1) Jonathan Edwards delivered this sermon during the first Great Awakening, a time of religious revival in Europe and America. During the Great Awakening, christianity shifted its focus from ceremonies and rituals, and began to realign itself with introspection to encourage fostering a deep sense of morality and redemption. Edwards was a key preacher and minister that delivered many sermons preaching about revival and reformed theology.
In these text, “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “The Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” the preachers are teaching their congregations a lesson.
Figurative language is used in a lot of writings to pull you more into the words. Figurative language uses the five senses to place a deep picture in your mind of what is actually happening. Metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, etc. are all figurative devices used in writing. Without using any of these things writing would be straight forward and not so complicated to understand. When figurative language is used it makes the reader really think about what is being said by the author and what point the author is trying to make. Both "The Iroquois Constitution” and "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” use figurative language but for different reasons.
Many of the symbols that represent Hell are things that are feared, such as spiders and snakes. Edwards declares the terror of the sinners: “That God holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider…over the fire” (26). The unnerving symbol of a spider relates to the religious idea that God is so powerful while the person is so insignificant, such as the spider. By making these connections, the audience can easily understand his point, making his sermon effective. It also provokes the audience, by relating the sinner to a spider and how angry God is, which causes the audience to think about their actions. Edwards speaks with credibility and poise when delivering his sermon, which makes him more effective. He uses logic that says, “If you are a sinner, then you are going to hell”, which makes a strong point. Whether the logic is true or false does not affect the effectiveness of his sermon, because he is able to shock the audience so much that they listen to him without question. This logic that sinners are condemned to hell is referenced in the imagery seen in the sermon. Through his logic and imagery, Edwards creates a very serious tone that makes the sermon very effective in persuading people to convert and become closer with
In 1741, Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan preacher of that time, had one thing on his mind: to convert sinners, on the road to hell, to salvation. It just so happened to be, that his way of doing that was to preach the reality to them and scare them to the point of conversion. Sermons of this time were preached to persuade people to be converted and to me it seemed that Edwards just had a special way of doing it. Just as people are being influenced by rhetoric appeals today Edwards used the same method on his congregation. In “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Jonathan Edwards positively affected his readers using pathos, logos, and ethos, while trying to convince the unconverted members of his sermon to be born again.
In the first chapter of God Behaving Badly, David Lamb argues that God is unfairly given a bad reputation. He claims these negative perceptions are fueled by pop culture and lead many to believe the lie that the God of the Old Testament is angry, sexist, racist, violent, legalistic, rigid, and distant. These negative perceptions, in turn, affect our faith. Ultimately, Lamb seeks to demonstrate that historical context disproves the presumptuous aforementioned. In addition, he defends his position by citing patterns of descriptions that characterize God throughout the Old Testament. “Our image of God will directly affect how we either pursue or avoid God. If we believe that the God of the Old Testament is really harsh, unfair and cruel, we won’t want anything to do with him” (Lamb 22). Clearly, they way Christians choose to see God will shape their relationship with Him.
Authors use figurative language to express nuanced ideas, those that beggar literal description. Such language provides the author an opportunity to play with his reader’s imagination and sense. A piece of literature that uses figurative language is more intriguing and engaging than a writing that aims only to explain. Ralph Ellison’s use of figurative language in “The Battle Royal” paints a powerful and unique story of oppression and the struggle for self-discovery. His juxtaposition of literal and figural language gave the story a dream like quality, all while creating a profound and vivid image.
In the book “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin, there are many instances in which he uses figurative language to get his point across. This book was Baldwin's reaction to the social and racial shamefulness he saw in America. The use of figurative language allows for a more vivid picture for the audience to visualize in their minds and grasp. Many times Baldwin uses figurative language to create a picture of a concept or opinion of his and instill what he believes it looks or feels like into it. Throughout the writing the author superbly distinguishes that love, not fear, converges a society.
That is when he adopted his “fire and brimstone” emotional style of sermon. Although people often ran out of the church in hysterics, most stayed in the church captivated by his speeches. He had always purposely chosen to address his congregation with a sermon, using all of the elements of an oratory. In Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards displays all elements of an oratory by appealing to emotions, including expressive and rhythmic language, addressing the needs and concerns of his audience, and inspiring others to take action. Jonathan Edwards used three key emotions to appeal to his audience: fear, pity, and guilt.
Both Douglass and Rowlandson express great contempt for the Non Christian that surround them. Rowlandson uses these words to describe the Indians, “Barbarous creatures,” “murderous wretches,” “heathens,” “ravenous beasts,” and even “hell-hounds,” This fear and revulsion she expressed during captivity, the punishments and retributions, darkness and light, good and evil. The usage of scripture throughout the narrative is a source of strength and solace for Rowlandson (Colley).
...hy, disgusting insects. If the villagers knew what the small, disaster-riddled pests were capable of doing, then they would fear the swarm’s return instead of praising and rejoicing it.