On The Last Day Of Judgment
Imagine as though you’re analyzing this text for someone who’s not in our class and who doesn’t have much background in the study of religion. Begin your analysis with a sentence about the title of the text, where it’s from (both books will say what book it’s from), when it was composed, who the author is, if known. Other introductory information is useful too.
All analyses must answer this question: How does this text help advance your knowledge of this specific religion it’s from? What is your interpretation of the text? Show this by taking direct quotes from the passage (not full sentences of quotes; just a couple words or phrases). Besides this question, the following are some guiding questions as well. I’m less interested in which questions you answer (from below) or how many; I’m more interested in the depth of your analysis, in your interpretation of it, in what you make of it.
Then you begin your analysis. An analysis of a general text looks for things like language (what kind of language, such as words, symbolism, metaphors, etc.), the writing style (is it a narrative/story, a poem, a hymn, a prayer, etc.), maybe some hidden meaning in some of the phrases or words? Are there any dialogues, rhetorical questions, question-answers? Does it contribute to shaping a worldview? Does it explain why things happen? What exactly is the purpose of this text, do you think? Do you know / can you tell what context it was written in? (E.g., maybe it was written in the context of social turmoil, after a significant natural disaster, etc.) Is it possible for it to mean one thing to practitioner of this religion and something different to a non-practitioner?
Think also about the impact/consequences of the passage you’re analyzing. How might this passage affect its intended audience? What about other people?
You personal opinions of the text are acceptable, but they are secondary to the analysis – they cannot be the analysis.
As you do your analysis, please keep in mind that these passages are valuable to living people out there, and you don’t want to intentionally come off as disrespectful in your reading.
The analysis must be between 300 and 325 words. Note in your submission how many words you have.
Below is the Guideline
Here is what you should do. For the 1st paragraph: write the title, author and context behind the scripture. 2nd paragraph: first answer the question of how this scripture helps me understand the religion better. support that with 1 or 2 lines from the scripture. Then write about the meaning of 1 or 2 of the lines with supporting evidence from the scripture. Then I add the symbolism behind a couple words (I.e repeated words or words used with different meanings). Then add a conclusion sentence.
