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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. Instead of studying the literal meaning of a phrase what is important to study?

2. What does a Christian priest predict of Augustine?

3. How could Augustine's "journey" be categorized?

4. Who is Adeodatus?

5. How does Augustine later view the Manichean myths?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Augustine's parents want for him?

2. What kind of pressure does Augustine feel as a young person and what does he do about it?

3. As a young man how does Augustine feel about love and what doesn't he understand about it?

4. What type of job does Augustine do and where does he get his money?

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

6. What does Augustine foreshadow about philosophy and himself?

7. Who teaches Augustine about astrology and what does he say?

8. What are Augustine's reflections on life and death?

9. How does Monica feel about Augustine moving and how does he get around her?

10. What did Augustine write about that involved a theft of pears and how did he feel about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augustine compares the Trinity to these three things: existence, knowledge, and will. Augustine does this because he is a being that exists, and that both knows and wills.

1. What do you think Augustine means by existence, knowledge and will?

2. Do you agree with Augustine that he can know what the Trinity is because he has existence, knowledge, and will? Why or why not?

3. Do you think only humans have existence, knowledge, and will or do animals? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

The concept of evil is one that Augustine writes about throughout his Confessions. Discuss one of the following ideas:

1. What are the different ways Augustine defines evil as he changes? Give specific examples.

2. Do you view the actions of Augustine as a young man as evil? Why or why not? Use specific examples from the text and discuss the examples in depth in relation to the question.

3. Do you believe most people have a concept of evil, even those who might be considered truly evil by a general consensus across cultures? Briefly explain what might be a universal concept of evil.

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?

(see the answer keys)

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