In his prologue, the Friar is called a "beggar" with a "scowling face at the Summoner." In the "General Prologue" the Friar is characterized as a "wantowne" and "merye" man who dwells within an assigned region. He has a white neck like a 'lily flower,' and he knows great dalliance and fair speech. He is … Continue reading Intentionality in The Friar’s Tale
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Eight Visions in Zechariah
Zechariah prophesies during the reign of Darius, emperor of Persia (after the Babylon was conquered by Persia). God's word comes unto Zechariah, and God blames the people of Israel's fathers for moral transgressions, and He commands the people of Israel to turn back to Him. Zechariah experiences a series of apocalyptic visions from God, with … Continue reading Eight Visions in Zechariah
Haggai: A Plea To Rebuild the Temple
There are four prophecies contained within the two chapters of the book of Haggai (whose named means something akin to "my holiday" though the root word in Hebrew means something like "to make a pilgrimage"). The text is believed to have been written after the Babylonian exile, during the reign of Darius, the Persian emperor, as … Continue reading Haggai: A Plea To Rebuild the Temple
“The Day of the Lord” in Zephaniah
The Book of Zephaniah clearly states its context: during the reign of Josiah, the son of Amon, King of Judah. It is a short book, containing three chapters, and it expounds upon the "word of the Lord" which comes to Zephaniah (his name means something like "YHWH is hidden"). As with other minor prophets, our knowledge … Continue reading “The Day of the Lord” in Zephaniah
Thoughts on His Family
Published in 1917, Ernest Poole's, His Family, winner of the first Pulitzer Prize for the Novel in 1918, is a surprisingly delightful read. The book has been largely out of print in recent years, much like other early winners of the Pulitzer Prize, including Booth Tarkington's The Magnificent Ambersons. It tells the story of the … Continue reading Thoughts on His Family
The Age of Innocence on Trial
The title of Edith Wharton's most famous, Pulitzer Prize winning novel is most likely derived from a popular painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The painting was created sometime between 1785-1788 (see below). Sir Reynolds did not actually title the painting, as the name was given to the work after his death. The painting was first … Continue reading The Age of Innocence on Trial
