Contrasts between Douglass and Chopin
Douglass and Chopin, both well respected figures of literature, have different styles of diction and detail. Edna often felt dragged down by religion, and as time goes by she learns to express her disregard of the traditional duty of the clergy. The traditional set-up of the church in those times, was only for show, and there was a lack of depth in a person's service. Edna fell into this trap but she learned, as time went by, that there was something else to yearn for, and after this did she proceed. In the beginning Edna was quick to defend her status in the church with defenses such as "I was a little unthinking child in those days, just following a misleading impulse without question" (VII). Madame Ratignolle had asked her if she was still running from prayer and Edna quickly responded and defended her service to make sure her service in the church was well respected. Edna needed that security and that blanket of protection in order to feel wanted and cared for by something of importance. As time goes by, however, Edna loses this resolve, this passion for religion and it soon becomes a nuisance for her. "A feeling of oppression and drowsiness overcame Edna during the service. Her head began to ache, and the lights o
Edna has come to realize that life is not about keeping the social role of church but freeing oneself spiritually to really understand nature and those supernatural powers she does not understand. The established church of Christianity brings about such mockery of the Bible. They practice in a church and gather money, and pay the prophets, did they not listen to their Savior's teaching about not having church in the home but that the temple was in your heart. Perhaps they skipped over the part about freely thou hast received freely thou shalt give, this pure hypocrisy is mocking their Creator, and they say that they respect their God? If the clergy truly respected Their Creator they would listen to his commandments and not overlook them and pretend that their Creator's words don't "fit" their lifestyle in the new age. The Awakening only highlights these points, without going into much detail, but it does not show religion worthy of much respect or praise. It passes it off with little importance or care, and shows Edna better off without the established church in her life. The church is constantly failing those in need, and it does not teach it's members to look to God even when times are good, and they only run and pray to God when they are in trouble. If a Christian were on a plane that was crashing, would they need to pray if they had already prayed that morning and felt forgiven? No, they wouldn't, they would be prepared, but so many people have lost the true essence of religion and it is no longer in their hearts, but on their outer garments and fitting for their convenience and social status. n the alter
Some common words found in the essay are:
Questions Edna, Madame Ratignolle, Giddings Sumner, Douglass Chopin, Frederick Douglass, Gerritt Smith, established church, freely thou, prayer edna,
Approximate Word count = 1103
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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