Annie Dillard Extra Credit-2
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Barry University *
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Course
201
Subject
Religion
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
Pages
1
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Theology 201 Cizek Essays by Annie Dillard Read one of the posted pieces by Annie Dillard, “Teaching a Stone to Talk” or “God in the Doorway,” both from her 1982 collection, Teaching a Stone to Talk
. Then, respond to the questions below. Upload your response to Canvas. This assignment can earn you an extra 1% on your final course grade. NOTE: Annie Dillard is a Catholic who grew up in Philadelphia, PA. She has been actively publishing her essays and fiction since the 1970s. 1.
To what stories in the Christian Bible does Dillard refer, either extensively or just in passing? (Hint: There is at least one reference in each piece.) Psalm 121:8 is the story to which Dillard references in the Christian Bible. According to the Bible, "the LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." Dillard compares Santa to God in "God in the Doorway," and says, "Santa Claus was an old man whom you never saw, but who saw you; he knew you'd been bad or good" (Dillard 138). 2.
How is Dillard attempting to form the reader? Is she describing something in the world? If so, what? Is she prescribing action? If so, what? Is she identifying an exemplar? If so, who? Dillard is aiming to shape the reader by using metaphors as well as childhood feelings that she knows they would understand. The majority of what she says is about physical activities that the readers can visualize and relate to, such as Santa/Ms. White as God and the sun that burned her palm as knowledge. In the story, Dillard appears to be running away from a relationship because all Ms. White was trying to do was teach her and share her knowledge, but Dillard is more focused on her hand burning, and when Ms. White dresses up as Santa, she was just trying to strengthen their connection, but Dillard became afraid of her. 3.
Do you think Dillard’s essay
is a faithful theological improvisation within act 4 of the five-act Christian theo-drama? Why or why not? (Respond with at least 1 paragraph.) Dillard's article, in some ways, fits within act 4 of the five-act theo-drama. This is due to the fact that Acts 1: 3 states, After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God”.
This remark is related to what Dillard said since throughout the story she mentioned how other people, such as Santa and Ms. White, resembled God in some ways. (This probably still doesn’t make sense, but I still wanted to re-attempt the question)
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