Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God Analysis

Imagine being told how to make a moral and not an immoral life decision. In recent discussions regarding learning forms, a controversial issue has been whether it is better for people to learn through fear or through positive example. On the one hand, some argue that learning through fear teaches discipline. On the other hand, however, others argue that learning by positive example teaches nothing and is shortly forgotten. It appears that it is better to frighten the learner into making the right choice than to show them how it is done. Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and Benjamin Franklin’s, “Autobiography,” portray how to succeed in the world in two completely different ways. Edwards speaks through
Jonathan Edwards’ delivers his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” to the congregation at Enfield, Connecticut, in 1741. He speaks to them in a way that shocks them into following he correct path of life. Edwards declares, “You probably are not sensible of this; you find you are kept out of hell, but don't see the hand of God in it, but look at other things, as the good state of your bodily constitution, your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation.” This is an Example of how Edwards’ uses an angry tone to portray his topic. This is the best possible way to get someone to do something they would ordinarily refuse to do. On the other hand, Benjamin Franklin speaks about his own personal experiences as a grandfather tells his grandson all of the things he did in his life. He speaks in a voice that may inspire others but mostly puts them to sleep, unlike Edwards. Franklin expresses, “My inclinations for the sea were by this time worn out, or I might now have gratified them.” This is an example of how Franklin speaks in a tone to tell the story of his travels. The writers explain tone through