Your essay on The Kingdom of Matthias will be 1200 words, double spaced with 12-point font. Follow the usual 5 section essay style with an introduction that includes a clear, well-organized thesis statement, 3 body sections that prove your thesis statement is true, and a concluding section that sums up the argument in your thesis statement and your main points.
You must cite the book when you reference specific events, points, or information. You should use a few direct quotes, but quote only the most important phrases and paraphrase the rest. Quotes should be less than 10% of any paragraph. Quotes should never be longer than two lines, anything else can be rephrased in your own words.
Citations can be MLA, ASA in text parenthetical (Kingdom of Matthias, pg#), or Chicago/Turabian style footnotes.[1]You do not need a works cited list unless you are citing sources outside the book The Kingdom of Matthias.
Choose any of the following prompts to begin writing your paper. You may address any single question or organize your paper around all the points and questions in any of the prompts. You do not need to state which prompt you are responding to, that should be obvious in your thesis statement. The main issues of the book are about the intersections of economic & religious concerns centered on gender, race, and class and each of these prompts is designed to steer your thinking toward these topics. Your paper must use specific events, ideas, and points from the book to discuss these issues.
1 How did economic issues shape Matthias’ religious views? How are economic motivations and religious faith used to justify criminal activity? How does Matthias represent a fairly typical set of religious views and motivations during the Second Great Awakening?
2 Discuss the roles of Elijah and Sarah in The Kingdom of Matthias. How do conceptions of wealth and liberty influence their thoughts and actions?
3 Discuss issues of race and gender in The Kingdom of Matthias? What role did Isabella Van Wagenen play?
4 How were sexuality and patriarchy entangled in the story of Matthias’ cult? Were wealth and gender driving forces in this story?
the one source used should be the book The Kingdom of Matthias by Paul E. Johnson, Sean Wilentz (in text citations preffered)
