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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. In the middle of Chapter One, why does Chesterton say this book is a joke on him?
2. What does Chesterton name as the second principle of democracy?
3. According to Chesterton, why is Bernard Shaw hampered in his thinking?
4. What does Chesterton assert as a necessity for the human mind?
5. Why does Chesterton admire Joan of Arc?
Short Essay Questions
1. "But it is a much more massive and important fact that he [the materialist] is not free to raise, to curse, the thank, to justify, to urge, the punish, to resist temptation, to incite mobs, to make New Year resolutions, to pardon sinners, to rebuke tyrants, or even to say 'thank you' for the mustard" (Chesterton 2000, pg 185). What is the context for this statement? Does it logically follow from Chesterton's argument?
2. Humility is chiefly understood chiefly as a restraint on a man's arrogance and boasting. What is Chesterton's argument concerning humility? What example does he give to illustrate a humble view of the world?
3. In Chapter IV, The Ethics of Elfland, what does Chesterton give as the first two principles of democracy? How does he convey a sense of wonder even in these principles?
4. Why does Chesterton claim that fairyland is more rational than the scientific world? Does the sense of wonder remain?
5. Chesterton ends Chapter II, The Maniac, with a look at the true skeptic. What picture does this man present? How does he relate to the man at the beginning of the chapter, the man who believed in himself?
6. Chapter II, The Maniac, begins with the idea that man believing in himself is a weakness. Chesterton asserts this in the face of modern thinking, which says believing in oneself is the strongest way to live. What reasons does Chesterton give for asserting this statement?
7. Why does Chesterton say that the act of willing is a limiting act? Could it be freeing instead? What happens if you attempt to free something from the laws of its nature?
8. Considering the fact that elf land is more rational than the scientific world is, why does Chesterton say that magic flourishes in elf land?
9. Materialistic fatalism has been credited with being merciful, though Chesterton says this is far from the truth. Why can fatalism not be merciful?
10. Poetry is the only thing that keeps a man sane, while reason drives him insane. How does Chesterton support this argument, and is it plausible?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
In Chesterton's estimation, men gained their sense of morality by protecting their religion. How is this true? How has it been played out in history?
Essay Topic 2
What reasons does Chesterton give for saying that fairy land is the land of common sense? What are his comparisons to rationalism and religion? How far can this argument go? In other words, do common sense and fairy land do have a meaningful interaction?
Essay Topic 3
Why is the worship of the god within the worst religion, according to Chesterton? How does a worshiper of the god within regard the rest of the world? What is the endpoint of this religion?
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This section contains 1,697 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
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