From “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” By Jonathan Edwards

Literary Focus: Figures of Speech Writers use figures of speech to help us see the world in new, imaginative ways. Jonathan Edwards uses figures of speech to help his readers experience the horrors he is describing. In one memorable example, he describes “wickedness” as being “heavy as lead.” By using this simile, Edwards compares the ideas of wickedness to an everyday material his audience is familiar with. The figure of speech helps them feel the dead weight of wickedness.

Simile, Metaphor, Personification A simile compares two unlike things, using a word such as like, as, than, or resembles: Her heart is as cold as a dungeon. A metaphor compares two different things without using such words as like or as: Life is a carnival. Personification gives human characteristics to objects, animals, or abstractions: The flowers nodded their heads in agreement.

Reading Skills: Identifying Author’s Purpose Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was written with a clear purpose To make the experience of hell so real and frightening that people in his audience would change their lives. As you read the selection, circle the details that reveal the author’s purpose.

Finding the Main Idea The main idea is the most important idea in a piece of writing. Main ideas are sometimes, but not always, stated directly. When a writer does not state a main idea, it is up to you to figure it out. You need to use details in the text to infer, or guess, what larger idea the writer is getting at. Listing key words and details as you read can help you to find the main idea.

Into the Sermon This is Edward’s most famous sermon which he delivered to a church in Enfield, Connecticut, in 1741. The “natural men” he was trying to reach with his sermon were those in the congregation who had not been “born again.” They had not accepted Jesus as their savior. Edward’s sermon had a powerful effect Several times he had to ask his shrieking and fainting audience for quiet.

Vocabulary provoked: v. used as an adj.: angered appease: v. calm; satisfy abate: v. Reduce in amount or intensity fain: adv. Archaic word meaning “happily” or “gladly.” Mediator: Jesus Christ. In general, one who intervenes between two parties in conflict. forbearance: n. Tolerance, restraint incensed: v. Used as adj.: angered; enraged constitution: n. physical condition contrivance: n.: scheme; plan affections: n. pl.: feelings closets n. pl.: rooms for prayer and meditation. inconceivable: adj., unimaginable; beyond understanding omnipotent: adj.: all-powerful

Vocabulary abhors: v.: scorns; hates abominable: adj.: hateful; disgusting ascribed: v.: regarded as coming from a certain cause. induce: v.: persuade; force, cause assunder: adv.: into pieces

Common Prefixes and Suffixes Con: means “with” or “together” Omni: means “all” Able: means “capable of” Ance: means “state of being”