We are picking up where we left off in our study of Crane's "A Mystery of Heroism." All stories and poems make some kind of argument. The Realists of the late nineteenth century are no different. Crane has a particular agenda; he is positing a very deep question in this story, one that reaches to the foundations of knowledge, or the branch of philosophy we call "epistemology" (i.e. - How you know what you know?). For the Realist, any Transcendent assumption is called into question, since we can't falsify or prove it. So much is implied even in the title of the story, and a Christian must be critical of Crane's argument and purpose.
Agenda:
- Our Father
- Reading Journal (1/17): "A Mystery of Heroism"
- Read 2 Samuel 23:8-17 (click the audio button to hear it narrated).Compare and contrast the two narratives. Based on the reading, what might Crane be arguing against or attacking?
- Review and discuss the rhetorical argument Crane makes.
- Review HW:
- Be perfect.
