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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is one of Augustine's future struggles in life?

2. Upon what does Augustine reflect as to the nature of life and death?

3. How is Augustine a paradox within himself?

4. For what is the stealing of the pear a metaphor?

5. In what is Augustine particularly interested?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Augustine's primary thoughts of when he arrives in Carthage and what does he do with them?

2. What type of religion ensnares Augustine's interest?

3. Basically, what is Confessions about?

4. What intensifies as Augustine grows into a young man and of what type of behavior does he indulge?

5. What does Augustine foreshadow about philosophy and himself?

6. How does Augustine's initial conversion to Christianity come about?

7. What does Augustine say about his "sins" as a schoolboy and his teachers reaction to them?

8. How does Augustine feel about the Christianity he comes in contact with and what does he observe about the morals of Christians?

9. What do the Manicheans believe about food?

10. What does Augustine say is the difference between how the simple-minded and intellectuals read and understand the Scriptures?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augustine recalls that he was under a lot of peer pressure to seek sexual pleasure and to applaud those who seek it from his peers that he knew from his town and from school. Augustine remembers even inventing sexual exploits to tell his peers, just to impress them.

1. Do you think Augustine's feelings of pressure from his peers was valid? Why or why not?

2. Do you think young men today feel the same peer pressure Augustine felt? Why or why not?

3. Discuss your beliefs about how young people are subjected to peer pressure and what a young person can do about it.

Essay Topic 2

Augustine believes that the most of the men who play prominent roles in the Bible were not totally righteous. Discuss the following ideas:

1. What do you think the word "righteous" means within the context of this book?

2. Can an imperfect "messenger" deliver a "perfect" message?

3. Is it realistic to expect any human to be perfectly righteous?

Essay Topic 3

In Book IX, Augustine is still angry with the Manicheans, because for so long he used their excuse of a man's soul being divided between a soul of darkness and a soul of light. Now, Augustine sees that all of his actions are his soul's responsibility. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Augustine is finally "growing up" when he realizes he is responsible for the choices he makes? Why or why not?

2. Do you think that the people who are influenced by others to commit immoral or evil acts are ultimately responsible for their own actions?

3. What about evil actions that a person commits in order to save his/her own life? Is there any justification for those choices a person might make?

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