English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 135 Essay – “What is one of Kipling’s copybook headings that applies to recent public opinion?”

In Kipling’s poem The Gods of the Copybook Headings, Kipling compares fleeting public opinions to long-standing truths.  In this poem the “Gods of the Market Place” represent short-lived public opinions.  The “Gods of the Copybook Headings” represent proverbs that will always remain true.

One of his copybook headings that is relevant to public opinion is “If you don’t work you die.”  In this section of the poem the “Gods of the Market Place”, which represent public opinion, believe that it is good to rob the individual in order to pay for the collective.  This is definitely public opinion in most countries, because governments force citizens into paying taxes that fund welfare programs.  This is definitely public opinion in Venezuela, the country I will use to demonstrate the truth behind the copybook heading, “If you don’t work you die.”  The “Gods of the Copybook Headings”, which represent a truth, believe that an individual must work to provide for himself and stay alive.  This truth is clearly demonstrated in Venezuela, because people aren’t allowed to accumulate personal wealth, which has lead to heaps of Venezuelans dying and mass starvation.  The public opinion is short-lived, but the copybook heading reveals itself to remain true.

English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 110 Assignment – Preliminary Outline for My Term Paper

How the Theme of Optimism Has Been Paramount in the Development of Western Literature Since 1493

I.  Introduction

1. Connecting theme of the books I will reference, “You (the characters) reap what you sow.”

          A.  The books referenced in this term paper have characters that get what they deserve according to

                the Bible’s principals of cause and effect.

          B. Cite Galatians 6:7

2. My thesis: The theme of optimism has been important in developing good literature that is realistic, motivational, and popular.
   
3. Explain how the connecting theme of optimism causes books to become realistic, applicable, motivational, and popular.

II.  The 95 Theses

1. Cite Luther’s explicit theme of optimism with regards to heaven and purgatory, then explain it.
2. Cite Luther’s implicit theme of historical optimism, then explain it.
3. Explain how Luther’s themes are compatible to the connecting theme.
4. Explain how important optimism was important in developing this realistic, motivational, and popular book.

III.  Acts and Monuments of the Christian Church

1. Cite Foxe’s theme of optimism, religious toleration, then explain it.
2. Explain how Foxe’s theme is compatible to the connecting theme.
3. Explain how important optimism was important in developing this realistic, motivational, and popular book.

IV.  Historia & Tale of Doctor Johannes Faustus

1. Cite the theme of optimism, evil Faustus’s destruction, then explain it.
2. Explain how the theme is compatible with the connecting theme.
3. Explain how important optimism was in developing this realistic, motivational, and popular book.

V.  Macbeth

1. Cite Shakespeare’s theme of optimism, traitorous Macbeth’s demise, then explain it.
2. Explain how Shakespeare’s theme is compatible with the connecting theme.
3. Explain how important optimism was in developing this realistic, motivational, and popular book.

VI.  Don Quixote

1. Cite Cervantes’s themes of optimism, then explain them.

          A.  Crazy people, like Don Quixote, get themselves into trouble.

          B.  If you genuinely confess of your sins and commit yourself to God, God will forgive you and let

               you enter heaven.

2. Explain how Cervantes’s themes are compatible with the connecting theme.
3. Explain how important optimism was in developing this realistic, motivational, and popular book.

VII.  King James Bible and Christian Reconstruction: What It Is, What It Isn’t

1. Cite Jesus’s themes of historical and eternal optimism, then explain them.
2. Explain how Jesus’s themes are compatible with the connecting theme.
3. Explain how important optimism was in developing this realistic, motivational, and popular book.
4. Explain how the King James Bible’s theme of optimism helped develop Christian Reconstruction: What It Is, What It Isn’t
5. Explain how Gary North’s and Gary DeMar’s optimism was realistic, motivational, and popular
6. Explain how North’s and DeMar’s optimism is compatible with the connecting theme.

VIII.  The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe

1. Cite Defoe’s theme of optimism, personal redemption, then explain it.
2. Explain how personal redemption is compatible with the connecting theme.
3. Explain the importance of optimism in developing this realistic, motivational, and popular book.

IX.  Add any more books from later in the course that use the theme of optimism

1. Cite their themes, then explain them.
2. Explain how their themes are compatible with the connecting theme.
3. Explain how optimism was important in developing these books into realistic, motivational, and popular books.

X.  Conclusions

1. The theme of optimism was important in developing all of these literary works.
2. The effect of this development was that the themes of the books were realistic, applicable, motivational, and popular.
3. All of these books individual themes of optimism all connect with the connecting theme: “You reap what you sow.”

          A.  Cause and effect in these books were related in similar ways to biblical cause and effect.

4. It is important to use the theme of optimism in developing a good book.

English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 85 Essay- “Why did he take the coins off the ship?”

    Crusoe did not explicitly explain why he took the coins off the ship.  Crusoe realized that the coins would be worthless on the deserted island.  Crusoe did not say this, but it is clear the coins would only be of use in other civilized parts of the world.  This means the only logical reason for Crusoe to take the coins off the ship, would be if he was rescued.  The coins would only be useful back in civilized society, so his only reason to take the coins off the ship would be to use them after he was rescued and returned to civilized society.  The book does not state the reason why he took the coins off the ship, so Crusoe may have done it purely out of the habit of seeing coins as valuable, but this is unlikely.

    I think Crusoe took the coins off the ship in case he was rescued, not out of habit.  Crusoe said, “What art thou good for?  Thou art not worth to me – no, not the taking off the ground; one of those knives is worth all this heap; I have no manner of use for thee – e’en remain where thou art, and go to the bottom as a creature whose life is not worth saying.”  The pile of coins he found on the ship was 36 pounds.  36 pounds was enough to live off of for almost a year in England at the time the book was written.  Crusoe realized that the knife would still be more valuable to him on the island, than the coins would be.  Since he announced the coins were useless, I don’t think he grabbed them simply out of habit.  Crusoe decided to take the coins off the ship “upon second thoughts.”  I think he realized the coins would be valuable if he was rescued.  Since Crusoe was just recently stranded on the island, thoughts of being rescued were likely on his mind.  In the book, it said he would scan the horizons for ships during his first few weeks on the island.  He grabbed the coins off the ship during his first or second week on the island.  This meant he had hopes of being rescued when he found the pile of coins.  If he had hopes of being rescued, then it makes sense that he would take the coins off the abandoned ship stuck on the reef back to shore, so that he could use the coins after being rescued.  

    In conclusion, I think that Crusoe took the coins off the ship and back to shore in case he was rescued.  It is unlikely that he took the coins off the ship out of habit, since he announced that the coins were worthless on the island right before he took them off the ship.  Crusoe realized the coins were valuable back in society, and he had thoughts of being rescued on his mind, so it would make sense for him to use that reason for taking the coins back to shore.  The book implies that his “second thoughts” were that he could use the coins back in England, Portugal, Spain, or Brazil, if he was rescued.  

English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 80 Essay- “How important for the narrative are the descriptions of the storms?”

At the beginning of the book on Crusoe’s first two trips out, the two storms represent the biblical idea of the double witness. To convict someone of a crime by the Mosaic law, there had to be two witnesses of the crime. The two storms represented two witnesses of Crusoe neglecting his father’s good advice. The two storms proved that Crusoe’s father had told him the truth. Crusoe’s father told Crusoe that it was too risky to live an adventurous life. Crusoe’s father said Crusoe would be more happy if he lived a middle class lifestyle at home than if he pursued great riches on overseas voyages. The two storms proved that Crusoe should apologize to his father for not listening and that Crusoe should obey his father. The descriptions of the two storms are important to the story because they relate the book to the Bible through the double witness. The storms are also important because they show that Crusoe is a prodigal son and that he should listen to his father.

The storms are important because they show Crusoe’s lack of respect to God. Crusoe perceived the first storm to be terrible, so he made a vow to a God that if God delivered him safely from this storm, then he would return home. Crusoe broke the vow early, because a few days after the ship returned to shore, he decided to go on the same ship’s next voyage. Since Crusoe broke his vow, it showed a lack of commitment to God. The storms are important because they show how weak Crusoe’s faith and honor are.

Crusoe went on the second voyage of the same ship, and another vicious storm hit the ship. The ship ended up sinking, but Crusoe and most of the crew survived by entering a smaller boat. Crusoe’s father did not know if Crusoe survived the sinking of the ship, because Crusoe never wrote to his father or reestablished communication with his father. The storms serve as a double witness to prove Crusoe was a prodigal son. One of Crusoe’s shipmates understood that Crusoe would come under further negative sanctions from God if Crusoe continued to disobey his father. The shipmate called Crusoe a Jonah, because he believed God would inflict negative sanctions on the whole ship, as long as one person on the ship was under God’s negative sanctions. The shipmate understood that Crusoe was a prodigal son. The shipmate didn’t want to sail with Crusoe anymore, because the shipmate believed more storms would hit Crusoe on ships if Crusoe continued to neglect his father’s advice.

Crusoe had continued to go on voyages, which broke his vow to God. Eventually, he went on a slave-buying voyage from Brazil to Africa. The ship Crusoe was on was hit by another terrible storm. The crew abandoned ship into a smaller boat with Crusoe. The smaller boat sank and Crusoe was the only surviver, he washed up on a deserted island. The significance of this storm was to show that Crusoe was still under negative sanctions from God. Crusoe was in trouble, because he broke his vow to God, he disobeyed his father, and he would not return to his father, like the prodigal son.

In conclusion, the descriptions of the storms are central to the narrative. They provide character development for Robinson Crusoe. The storms are used to describe the central theme of the book,  which is that Crusoe is a prodigal son. The storms also show how Crusoe only depends on God when he is in extremely bad situations. The two storms from the first chapter represent a double witness from God that Crusoe is guilty of disobeying his father’s good advice. The storms are necessary to tell the story of Crusoe being a prodigal son.

English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 75 Essay- “In what way did Mandeville lay the foundation for Darwinism?”

Mandeville said that society did not need morality or God to prosper. Darwin believed the same thing, with respect to biology and nature. Darwin said there was no purpose to life, but that life had formed through natural orderly processes. Darwin said there was no place for God in the universe. Mandeville said that there was no place for God or morality in society. Both Darwin and Mandeville wanted to explain the world around them without invoking purpose, morality, or God. Darwin wanted to explain the biological world without God. Mandeville wanted to explain interactions in the free market without God.

Mandeville definitely laid the foundation for Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection. Mandeville wanted to explain people’s interactions in the market place in terms of supply and demand, which he believed was not connected to morality or God. Darwin wanted to explain the biological world in terms of natural processes that had no connection to God. Mandeville and Darwin wanted to explain the world around them without using Christian doctrine. Before Darwin wrote his theory of evolution, Mandeville wrote that society functions autonomously without God or morality. Mandeville’s refutation of Christian ideas paved the way for Darwin in the future.

Both Mandeville and Darwin believed that there was no divine purpose in the world around them. Mandeville believed that trying to implement morals that God recommended was bad, because morality causes people to become less ambitious and more content. Mandeville thought that contentment was bad for society, because people won’t buy as much in the “market”, if they are content with what they already have. Mandeville believed that consumer demand was necessary for a society to prosper. Darwin simply believed there was no moral purpose behind nature, biology, and creation. Darwin believed nature evolved from itself through natural processes. Darwin and Mandeville opposed the idea of moral purposes in the world around them.

Mandeville believed that individuals pursuing their own self-interests created prosperous societies, by cooperating with other individuals and buying from good products instead of bad products, which led to the survival of what proved successful. Mandeville believed in social evolutionism. Darwin took Mandeville’s idea of social evolution and applied it to biology. Darwin said that living things evolve to use good skills they have and get rid of useless skills they naturally possessed. Darwin said evolution takes place over long periods of time and that biotic things evolve slowly, so that they can survive longer. Mandeville and Darwin both believed in naturally occurring evolution without God.

In conclusion, Darwin based his theory of evolution through natural selection on Mandeville’s idea of social evolution through the natural selection of a free market. Mandeville’s explanation of society evolving without morality and God, paved the way for Darwin in the future. Darwin wanted to explain how the biological world came to be without God, so he applied Mandeville’s idea of natural selection to biology and the natural world. Both Mandeville and Darwin sought to refute Christian ideas of how the world works.

History Western Civilization 2: Lesson 65 Essay- (1) “What happened (involving the Third Estate) during the meeting of the Estates General that set the French Revolution in motion?” (2) “What was the situation of the Church in France after Napoleon came to power?”

The Third Estate demanded that voting in the Estates General took place by head. In the past, the voting was done through delegates. The Third Estate wanted the total of all of the individuals’ votes not the total of the Estates’ votes. The Third Estate also demanded for their votes per head to be doubled, since the other two Estates almost always voted against them. The Third Estate left the Estates General and formed the National Assembly, so that they could make their own laws for France. The Third Estate or National Assembly eventually merged with the other Estates and set out to draft a constitution.

Napoleon wanted to establish a normal relationship with the Church. Napoleon believed that his plans inside and outside of France would not be successful if the Church was his enemy. Napoleon realized that most French people were Catholic, so the people would be upset if Napoleon made the Church his enemy. Napoleon got rid of the newer calendar and brought back the traditional Christian calendar. Napoleon made a deal with Pope Pius VII to bring back Catholicism, but Napoleon wanted to control the Catholic Church officials in France. After the deal, the Catholic Churches in France were re-opened.

English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 65 Essay- “After Satan’s rebellion, Satan was motivated by his envy of God more than his jealousy of God; true or false?”

I think it is true, that after Satan’s rebellion, Satan was motivated by his envy of God more than his jealousy of God. In “Paradise Lost”, the demons were coming up with a plan on how they should attack God next. Beezlebub came up with a strategy based on envy. The council of demons decided to follow through with Beezlebub’s plan of envy. Also, envy is what motivated Satan in the biblical account of Satan’s temptation of Adam and Eve. The plan worked in “Paradise Lost”, because Satan led mankind into sin.

In “Paradise Lost”, Beezlebub’s plan was definitely based on envy. Beezlebub recognized that an attack on heaven would be futile, because God had previously overpowered them in Satan’s rebellion. Beezlebub also realized that there was nothing they could do to replace God or gain some of God’s power. Beezlebub was not jealous, because he knew they couldn’t gain any of God’s power. Beezlebub recommended a smarter and easier plan than trying to attack heaven. Beezlebub recommended that they should attack or deceive God’s new creation, mankind. Beezlebub realized it would be impossible to break through heaven’s defenses, but that Earth and mankind were exposed. Beezlebub realized that the demons could bring God down and cause him distress by attacking or deceiving his creation. Beezlebub knew that turning mankind against God would make God upset, and Beezlebub also knew it would not benefit them in any physical way. The demons would not gain any of God’s power by turning mankind against God. They only wanted to do it because it would displease God. Beezlebub’s plan was based purely upon envy. Beezlebub’s plan was not based on jealousy, because they gained nothing by hurting God’s feelings, except pleasure. Beezlebub couldn’t take God’s throne, but Beezlebub realized the demons could make God’s kingdom worse. The demons wanted to tear down what God had. The council of demons selected Beezlebub’s plan over the other plans. The council chose envy.

Envy motivated Satan in the biblical account of Satan’s deception, as well as in “Paradise Lost.” In both accounts, Satan gained nothing from God by deceiving man, but Satan tore down God’s plans. Satan pursued the mission alone, because he was the leader of the demons. Satan was motivated by envy, not jealousy. In both accounts, Satan’s envious plan succeeded, because he led mankind into sin and away from God.

In conclusion, Satan, Beezlebub, and the other demons in “Paradise Lost” were motivated by envy, not jealousy. The demons realized they couldn’t successfully attack heaven. The demons realized they could not gain God’s position or any of God’s power by attacking heaven or Earth. The demons did recognize that they could turn God’s creation against Him. Satan’s deception of mankind was envious, because Satan did it to tear down God’s creation and displease God. The demons thought that leading mankind into sin, would be the best way to get even with God. The demons were not motivated by jealousy, because they understood that they couldn’t break into heaven, steal from God, or defeat God and take His position. The demons understood they couldn’t beat God, so they decided to tear down God’s creation. “Paradise Lost” and the biblical account of Satan’s deception portray Satan as envious.

English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 60 Essay- “Would any of Bacon’s essays have been more persuasive if he had talked about his own experiences? Which ones? Why?”

Bacon’s essays on debt, bribery, and ambition would have been more persuasive if he had referenced his own experiences. The essay on debt could have been much more influential if he had referenced his own life. The essays on debt, bribery, and ambition could have been improved, because Bacon was disgraced at the end of his life. His essay on debt would have been much more powerful if he had used situations from the end of his life to portray the dangers of debt. He knew how tough it is to deal with debt, and his essay on debt could have been better if he had used details from his own life in that essay.

Bacon’s essays on debt, bribery, and ambition lacked some power, because he didn’t reference his own struggles in the essays. He was kicked out of politics for getting too deeply involved with debt, bribery, and ambition. He could have demonstrated through his experiences how destructive ambition and debt can be. Bacon’s essay on debt, bribery, and ambition weren’t bad, but they would have been much better if he explained his personal experiences. His essays lacked authority, because he didn’t reference his own experiences. Bacon didn’t say, “Trust me about this. I’ve been through this before.” His essays would have been more powerful if he used his personal authority on the subjects of debt, bribery, and ambition. He could have been more persuasive of the dangers of debt if he said, “I’ve been in debt, and I know from experience just how destructive it is.”

Why didn’t Bacon reference his own troubles with debt, bribery, and ambition? If he had referenced his personal plights, his essay would have been much more powerful. His essays would have been more influential if he had spoke on his personal authority. I would have been more interested in his essays if he had illustrated some of the problems he faced in his life. I think readers would have paid better attention to his general warnings against debt, bribery, and ambition, if he had supported his warnings with examples from his own life. I would have taken his warnings more seriously if he had reinforced his essays with personal authority.

In conclusion, Bacon could have added power to his essays on debt, bribery, and ambition by describing his personal struggles. I think Bacon’s audience would have taken him more seriously if he had set himself as a bad example. Bacon was a negative role model, because his ambition and attempts to cheat the political system led to his debt and downfall. He could have persuaded people to commit themselves against debt, bribery, and ambition by saying, “I got involved in debt, bribery, and ambition. Look how I ended up! Don’t be like me.” By using personal authority Bacon could have been more influential with respect to his essays about debt, bribery, and ambition. By using himself as an example Bacon could have given his ideas a better setting. People would have seen Bacon’s ideas as easier to implement if Bacon had illustrated his personal problems.

English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 55 Essay- “Is it easier to read Shakespeare or the King James Bible?”

I found the sections from the King James Bible much easier to read than the sections from Shakespeare. The language used in the King James Bible sections was much easier to understand compared to the language used by Shakespeare in the sections I read by him. The King James Bible sections were easier for me to read than Shakespeare’s sections because the Bible is much more significant in my life than Shakespeare is. I find the Bible more interesting than Shakespeare. Since the King James Bible is more significant in my day to day life than Shakespeare, it was easier for me to pay attention to the King James Bible sections. The phrases in the King James Bible sections were much more powerful than the phrases in Shakespeare’s sections I read.

Both the King James Bible and Shakespeare use old English. I speed read both sets of selections. The King James Bible sections were fairly easy to speed read. It was easy to speed read because most of the older words that aren’t used today resembled words that we do use today. For example, hath and have. Most of the adjectives in the King James Bible sections are still used today, which was helpful when I read it. Shakespeare’s sections were difficult to speed read. Although I could understand most of the filler words and adjectives, I didn’t understand a few of the more advanced adjectives. Some of the adjectives and descriptive phrases he used are never used in modern English. This made it much more difficult to read the Shakespeare sections than the King James Bible sections.

The King James Bible is much more relevant in my life than Shakespeare’s plays. I am a Christian that believes the Bible to be the absolute truth. I also believe the Bible is very important. It gives me guidelines on how I should live as a good Christian. Since the King James Bible is important to me I didn’t have a problem paying attention to what I was reading. It was easy to read because I was focused. I enjoyed reading the parables in the King James Bible sections. They were well written, and they exemplify morals that I should implement in my life. The King James Bible sections were interesting to me because they focused on ethics. Shakespeare’s sections were dryer and did not relate to my life. I could only use a few morals from Shakespeare’s sections to help me in life. Ethics were not as central in Shakespeare’s sections as they were in the King James Bible sections. Shakespeare’s sections were mostly pieces of plays that had the purpose of entertainment. Also, I do not enjoy plays. Shakespeare’s sections were mostly boring, a waste of time, and a waste of my effort. In addition the language used in Shakespeare’s sections was weak. To be honest, I don’t remember any phrases from the selections of Shakespeare I read. I do remember a few of the phrases from the King James Bible sections. This is because the King James Bible sections had powerful phrases. Some examples are, “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”, and, “Cast not thy pearls before swine.”. All in all, the King James Bible sections are just way more interesting than the Shakespeare sections, which made the King James Bible easier to read.

Ultimately, the King James Bible sections were much easier to read than the dull Shakespeare sections. The phrases and words used in the King James Bible sections were simpler and had more impact than the Shakespeare sections’ long and confusing phrases. The King James Bible is more interesting and important to me which made it easier to read than the Shakespeare sections. The King James Bible sections were easier to read and way more powerful than any of Shakespeare’s sections I read.

English 3 Western Literature 2: Lesson 50 Essay- “How important is the idea of covenant sanctions in this week’s reading?”

The idea of covenant of sanctions was central in this week’s reading. In Deuteronomy 28-34, Moses called on God to enforce sanctions. The story in Ruth 1-3 was about Ruth’s covenant with God. Ruth 1-3 was also about Boaz’s covenant with Ruth. Jeremiah used God’s sanctions to explain the capture of Israel. In Jesus’s sermon on the mount, he called on God’s positive sanctions. Jesus thought that obedience to God’s law would bring rewards from God. All of the sections in this week’s reading focused on covenant sanctions.

Deuteronomy 28 focused on national sanctions. The first 14 verses were about positive sanctions from God. Then verses 15-68 described negative sanctions from God. The majority of Deuteronomy 28 was about negative sanctions, because the commandments normally tell us what not to do. These negative sanctions formed a system of law. The Mosaic law allowed people to live freely, because there were only a small amount of things you couldn’t do, compared to things you could do. Innovation was possible because of the freedom of the Mosaic people. The new generation was the children of the people who escaped Egypt. It was the reaponsibility of the new generation to recommit themselves to God. Deuteronomy 29 also focused on negative sanctions. The negative sanctions would be imposed on Israel, if the people broke the covenant with God. Deuteronomy 31 focused on covenantal succession. Moses wanted the next generation to conquer new lands, so he was seeking the next generations agreement. Deuteronomy 31 focused on covenantal law. Moses told the people of the new generation that they must publicly read the Mosaic law once every seven years. This would remind the people of their commitment to God. There was also a warning not to rebel against God. Rebelling against God would break the covenant and God would punish Israel.

In the next section of the reading, two sons married Moabite women. Both sons died, which broke the covenants they had with their wives. Ruth, one of the wives, went to Israel. This was covenantal replacement. She replaced her covenant to the gods of Moab with a covenant to the God of Israel. The proof of her commitment was seen by her determination to return with her mother in law to Israel. Naomi, the mother in law, sent Ruth to propose to Boaz. Boaz accepted her request. A covenant formed between them. A closer kinsman rejected Ruth. After that, Boaz officially married Ruth.

Lamentations was about the negative sanctions imposed on Israel due to the people breaking their covenant with God. Moses had warned them that this would happen, Isaiah and Jeremiah also warned the Israelites of God’s negative sanctions. Jeremiah said that Israel’s sins broke the covenant with God and negative sanctions came as a result. God gave the nation opposing Israel the victory. Jeremiah believed that God would show mercy on future.

In Jesus’s sermon on the mountain He said that people who are suffering will not face negative sanctions. He said that righteous people will not face punishments. Jesus said it is good to ask God for positive sanctions. The example used was daily bread in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus said we should use God’s standards when making judgments. Jesus said we should always keep a strong covenant with God.

In conclusion, covenant sanctions are fundamental to what I read this week. All the selections I read focused on people making covenants with a God and what sanctions would be enforced if the covenants were broken.