📚 Topic Summary
Jonathan Edwards's sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," is a cornerstone of American Puritan literature and a prime example of persuasive rhetoric. Analyzing this text for the AP Literature exam involves understanding Edwards's use of vivid imagery, emotional appeals (pathos), logical arguments (logos), and his own credibility (ethos) to convey the urgency of seeking salvation. Practice questions often focus on identifying these rhetorical devices, analyzing their impact on the audience, and evaluating the effectiveness of Edwards's overall argument.
Puritan rhetoric, characterized by its straightforward style, religious focus, and emphasis on divine authority, aimed to stir the conscience of its listeners. Understanding the historical and religious context is essential for interpreting the sermon's message and appreciating its literary significance. AP Lit questions may also explore the sermon's legacy and its reflection of Puritan beliefs about sin, grace, and redemption.
🧠 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the following terms with their correct definitions:
- Term: Affliction
- Term: Appease
- Term: Inconceivable
- Term: Mediator
- Term: Providence
- Definition: To satisfy or pacify
- Definition: Unimaginable or unbelievable
- Definition: A cause of pain or distress
- Definition: Divine care or guidance; foresight
- Definition: One who intervenes between two parties to reconcile them
(Match the terms above. For example: 1-C, 2-A, etc.)
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the missing words from the following passage:
"Your wickedness makes you as it were ________ to the great wrath of God, as the ________ is to the fire, and that there is nothing but the mere ________ of God, that holds you back."
Possible Words: subjected, spider, pleasure
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
How does Edwards's use of imagery contribute to the overall effectiveness of "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" as a persuasive sermon? Provide specific examples from the text to support your argument.
