Spring 2008

E 358K • Bible in British and American Literature

Course Description

The titles, "Paradise Lost" or "East of Eden" or even "Wealth of Nations," tell us right off that the subject matter so titled has some relationship to the Bible: Adam and Eve lost Paradise, one brother killed another, the wealth of the world makes a pilgrimage to England. Our textbook sets passages from the Bible right next to extracts from these works of English and American literature.

In this class, we will explicate the extract in terms of the Biblical passage to develop some interpretive skills. We will learn about the author's use of Biblical allegory, typology and the such which give his/her work sobriety; but we will also learn about the author's use of irony, bathos and the such which make his/her work more lively.

Grading Policy

Writing assignments 50%, class attendance 50% (do not miss more than two classes unless you want to have your grade reduced one full letter).

Texts

The Bible and Literature: a Reader, D. Jasper and S. Prickett

back