Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Religion

The Worm: Symbolism of Repression and Fallenness in William Blake's Poetry

Metaphorical Meanings of 'Worm'

• Death and decay
• Snake or serpent (alluding to the Fall of humankind)
• Christian teaching of the devil's unseen presence
• Phallic associations, representing the impact of the Fall on sexual ecstasy

'Flies in the Night' and 'Howling Storm'

* Night symbolizes the time when fears and fantasies are most active. * 'Howling storm' suggests ungovernable turmoil and passion.

'Has Found Out'

* May echo Psalms 90:8, referring to the exposure of 'secret sins.'

'Crimson'

* Denotes passion, blood, shame, and sin in the Old Testament. * Suggests that ideas of shame, sin, and secrecy have reached the innermost part of the person, infecting their capacity for joy.

Effects

Poetic Symbolism in the Restoration

Cannons and fireworks are described appearing in the sky and on earth, evoking thunder and lightning (verse 14). The final verses reference the biblical episode of God parting the waters for the Israelites: “So Israel passed through the divided flood...” (verse 15). This imagery mirrors how the King “divided the flood,” calming and renovating the storm surrounding the solemn moment of the Coronation.

The poem utilizes prosody, the specialized language of poetry, featuring rhyming couplets where every verse has a counterpart—such as verses 3 and 4 (“... dim / ... him”) or verses 7 and 8 (“... fear’d / ... appear’d”). This organization expresses balance and proportion, symbolizing the perfection... Continue reading "Charles II and the Restoration: Poetry, Politics, and Power" »

The Conversion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

After becoming injured in battle, Saint Ignatius had a lot of time on his hands as he recovered. He asked for some readings to pass the time, but all they had was “A Life of Christ” and “The Saints of Castilian.” Following these readings, he began to reflect on his life and what God meant in it; this is when he decided to live the rest of his life for God and began to think about his Spiritual Exercises and what shaped the current Jesuit traditions.

The Purpose of Human Existence

Human beings are created to praise, reverence, and serve God Our Lord. To do this, I must make myself indifferent.

A Journey Fired with God

One thing he wanted to do was travel to Jerusalem as soon as he had recovered,... Continue reading "Saint Ignatius: From Soldier to Servant of God" »

Conradin Personality Essay

Conradin was a ten-year-old with a very particular and mental personality. He is 'protected' by Mrs. De Ropp. Conradin has been given less than five more years to live. He hates Mrs. De Ropp, and all he is left with is his imagination, which lets him live. Without his imagination, Conradin would have died long ago.

Introduction: A Summary of the Body

Conradin had a very particular personality; he felt hate, sadness, and the only thing he could live with was his imagination. He hated his cousin and imagined her dead when angry. His cousin was supposed to support and love him, but she only made him suffer, leading to his intense hatred.

He followed a religion and performed ceremonies far from the house to avoid his cousin.... Continue reading "Conradin's Unique Personality and Desires" »

The Four Passing Sights

These four observations profoundly influenced Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) and led him to renounce his princely life:

1. An Old Man: Weak and frail, symbolizing the inevitability of aging.
2. A Sick Man: Representing disease and suffering.
3. A Corpse on a Funeral Pyre: This sight was a shock, awakening him to the realization that life is not a continuous event and death is certain.
4. A Holy Man (Ascetic): This fourth sight first awakened him to other possibilities and the potential for an escape from suffering.

Li

A key concept in Confucianism, often translated as propriety, ritual, or correct conduct.

Ch’i (Qi)

Vital energy flowing through matter and movement. This energy is intrinsically linked to the universe.

Skanda (Hindu God

Bourgeoisie Defined

A non-privileged social group residing in cities, primarily engaged in trade, banking, or industry.

The Role of Parliament

A political institution that historically represented the nobility, clergy, and cities.

Understanding Humanism

A political, social, and cultural ideology originating at the beginning of the Early Modern Period. It is based on reason, progress, and the **value** of the human being.

Protestantism and the Reformation

A Christian religious confession that separated from the Catholic Church, based on the ideas of Martin Luther in the 16th century.

The Modern State (Authoritarian Monarchies)

Also known as authoritarian monarchies, the Modern State represents the transition from decentralized monarchies (characterized... Continue reading "Early Modern History Key Concepts: Reformation & Humanism" »

Understanding Core Islamic Vocabulary

Adhan

The call to prayer performed from the minarets of mosques by the *muezzin*.

Allah

Arabic for God.

Amir

Commander or prince, frequently used with reference to the person who leads the community.

Aya

A verse of the Quran; also used in a general meaning of “sign” from God.

Ayatollah

In Shia Islam, a high-ranking title given to clerics recognized as experts in Islamic studies.

Basmala

The statement at the beginning of each sura of the Quran (except sura 9), “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate”; also used by Muslims as an invocation.

Buraq

The winged horse which carried Muhammad on his “Night Journey” from Mecca to Jerusalem.

Dhimmi

A member of a protected community, especially referring to... Continue reading "Essential Islamic Terms and Definitions" »

A baby speaks of its entry into the world, which brought pain to its parents. The world it came into seemed dangerous. It was helpless, vulnerable, noisy, encased in its body like a devil hidden in a cloud.

The baby struggled against the confinement of its father's hands and the swaddling in which it was wrapped. Unsuccessful, it resigned itself to sulking on its mother's breast.

Commentary

For Blake, a fiend was not to be regarded as evil – it was an embodiment of energy and instinct. So here, the baby comes into the world not as a peaceful, meek being, but as one filled with positive energy and instinctual life. However, the response of the parents is ambiguous. Do they groan and weep because:

• Of the physical anguish of childbirth?
• The baby

African Indigenous Religions

African indigenous religions have not all died out.

The Atlantic slave trade

Humanity and life in the present world

High God is both a and b

High God

Many supernatural beings are recognized, and one is elevated to a higher status.

Mali and Burkina Faso

Yoruba religion

An Orisa in the Yoruba tradition

Spirits are all of the above

Improving life in this world

Spirit world: all of the above

A divination system among the Yoruba

Medium

Kenya and Tanzania

Christianity did not completely eradicate indigenous African religions.

The continuing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

Supreme, unitary reality

Dualistic

330 million

Hebrew

It cannot be translated and is only legitimately scripture when read in Hebrew.

John

The Way

Greek

The Shema

Merneptah... Continue reading "Major World Religions: Key Beliefs and Practices" »

Key Characters in 1984

Winston Smith

Winston Smith is a quiet, intellectual, and rebellious individual. He secretly despises the Party and its totalitarian rule. Despite his job at the Ministry of Truth, he has a strong desire for truth, freedom, and self-expression. He begins to write a diary, which is an act of rebellion against the Party.

Julia

Julia is Winston's lover and fellow rebel. She is bold, sensual, and openly defiant of the Party's rules. She shares his hatred for the Party.

O'Brien

O'Brien is a mysterious and intelligent character whom Winston believes is a member of the secret Brotherhood, a resistance movement against the Party. However, it is later revealed that O'Brien is a high-ranking Party member and a loyal servant of Big Brother.... Continue reading "Key Characters in George Orwell's 1984" »