For this assignment, you’ll write a paper (500-750 words (more if you like))that explores how an enduring question in a single work of literature from the course relates to Christian traditions. It will accomplish two things: (1) to demonstrate through close reading how the enduring question works in the text, making a claim and supporting the claim with analysis of literary features and relevant contextual information (Goals 1 and 2); and (2) it will explore how the text’s engagement with the question relates to traditions of Christian faith. Choose a question that bears some relationship to your Christian faith in one of the works, one about which you have not yet written a paper. Determine how your chosen text presents/develops/treats the enduring question through literary devices and means (motifs, allusions, symbols, conflicts, points of view, lineation, image, etc.). What themes emerge out of the text’s treatment of the question? (Examples of questions (see our course-generated document for more!): “What are our responsibilities to others? How shall we handle differences, even fundamental differences, say religious ones, between people? What values should guide missionary/service work? Why do plagues happen? What is our responsibility in times of great community suffering? Where is God in great suffering? How should we handle impacts of war and poverty on ordinary people? Why did Jesus have to die?) Write an essay that: (1) presents and analyzes how your chosen texts present and thematize (that is, answer) the enduring question through literary devices (such as motif, allusion, metaphor, symbol, etc.), (2) shows how the texts’ thematic explorations of the enduring question relate to your Christian understanding of the concept. BE SURE TO QUOTE AND REFER TO SPECIFIC PASSAGES AS YOU WORK TO CONVEY HOW YOUR TEXT presents/answers the question THROUGH LITERARY DEVICES OF VARIOUS KINDS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO EVALUATE SOME ASPECT OF THE TEXT, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO ITS TRUTH VALUE, REMEMBER THAT YOU NEED TO CAREFULLY SHOW US THAT THE TEXT INDEED SAYS WHAT YOU THINK IT SAYS. In other words, analyze and explain what’s going on with the theme you’re addressing before evaluating. When you describe Christian traditions and theology’s handling of a particular question, please be aware of a few things: (1) there’s a LOT of variation in “the Christian view” on any given question, so consider referring to theological texts or specific sub-traditions if that would help you be precise. You AREN’T expected to present THE Christian view on any question for this paper; (2) avoid “proof-texting”–the selective use of one single scripture taken out of context to “prove” the Christian view on some topic. That’s just bad interpretation/analysis of scripture. My question is: How would we respond to and interact with those who come and destroy our homes and way of life? And what is our responsibility after such actions in rebuilding and growing the community back to what it was before.
