Jonathan Edwards Figurative Language

Jonathan Edwards uses analogies and imagery to persuade people into becoming a puritan back then in the 1800's. In the sermon "sinners in the hands of an angry God" there are many examples of analogies and imagery in the brimstone to describe sinners that give in to temptation and followeres that stay on the righteous path.

Edwards instills fear in his congregation by threatening the wrath of God and what will happen if one does not omit their lives to Him. “So that thus it is, that natural men’ are held in the hand god over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it;” (102). Here Edwards uses sharp descriptions to show his congregation that any wrong move can put one in Hell, promoting the practice of religion, more specifically; his church. Edwards also writes and speaks very poetically in such a way that his sermons are delivered with an intense amount of imagery that it seems as if those in attendance are watching a movie. Comparing the earth to God’s hand and the mention of God’s wrath being a loaded bow that is ready to rain down on sinners at any moment, helps add the the fear and the image. Another way Edwards creates his atmosphere is by referring to the mass in front of him as ‘you’. When spoken to in such a personal manner one is more likely to be afraid or concerned about the subject as opposed to the sermon being delivered with a more general

During the Great Awakening, a time of religious recovery, Jonathan Edwards' sermons were lectured. In his sermons, Edwards utilized an assortment of rhetorical devices, including imagery and basic metaphors to make the "sinner" regret and fear.

Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan minister, preached a sermon in 1741 titled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” His sermon is about the punishments the evil people will receive after death. Edwards uses the emotion of fear through the power of his words along with many syntactic techniques to influence his listeners to turn to God and save their long term souls.

Jonathan Edwards, a famous preacher in pre-colonial times, composed a sermon that was driven to alert and inject neo Puritanical fear into an eighteenth century congregation. This Bible based and serious audience sought after religious instruction and enlightenment. Through the sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Edwards offers a very harsh interpretation to humankind. Edwards utilizes various rhetorical techniques to evoke an emotional response in his audience and to persuade the members of his congregation that their wicked actions will awaken a very ruthless and merciless God.

The persuasive techniques that Edwards used were very effective in the way he presented them to the Puritans. When the Puritans listened to Edwards’ sermon they were either screaming or crying because of the effect the techniques that he used. Furthermore, Edwards’ speaking tone was monotone, but he used impactful words to successfully get his point across without raising or lowering his tone of voice. This represented how effective his speaking techniques were. For instance, “there is Hell’s wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon,” (Edwards 87) which was all

Often in Sermans writers persuade their audience to behave in a spiritual or more fashion. Such is the case in Jonathan Edward’s “Sinner’s in the Hand of an Angry God” where he believes that sinners should change their ways and follow the Lord if they want happiness. Edwards wanted to impact his audience by appealing to their fears and pity. Edwards had a great impact on his Puritan audience because of his cautionary tone, dreadful imagery, and symbolic figurative language.

Jonathan Edwards’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is the epitome of a fire and brimstone sermon. Edwards was able to deliver this speech with force, power, and charisma. However this sermon effectively portrays Edwards’s own interpretation of man’s sinful nature and God’s wrathful nature even when read silently. Jonathan Edwards is capable of effectively communicating that his position as a reverend is a means of legitimizing his ability to interpret the bible and all of its scriptures. Edwards finds success in his speech by his use of vivid and violent imagery. By doing this Edwards is able to do two things, one convince his parishioners that as a man of God he has the authority to be an interpreter of the bible. He forces his

How did Jonathan Edwards use of Rhetorical techniques might have influenced society ? Jonathan Edwards use of rhetorical techniques influenced society emotionally with fear and guilt. By telling the audience of their sinful ways and how the micnificent power of God increases as everyday passes as your guilt constantly increases, and you are every day treasuring up more wrath . Jonathan also puts a large number of details pertaining to the the wrath of God. An example would be “The Wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present they increase more and more , and rise higher and higher , til an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped , and the more rapid and mighty is its course..”. He uses these details to scare

Often in sermons, minister pastors persuade their audience to behave in a spiritual or moral fashion. Such in the case in Jonathan Edwards, sinners in the hands of an angry god where he feels sinners should repent for the sins they committed. Edwards wanted to impact his audience by appealing to their fears, pity, and vanity. Edwards had an influential impact on his puritan because of his use of cautionary tone, complex imagery, and constructive figurative language.

Throughout Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, he strategically utilizes an immense variety of different rhetorical and literary devices to not only bring his sermon to life, but also increase the persuasiveness of his message. For instance, in the fifth paragraph, he creates a simile illustrating that,“the wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given” (Edwards 2). The simile along with his use of descriptive language intensifies his message as well as emphasizes God’s omnipotence. By emphasizing the omnipotence of God, he instills fear within the audience hoping that they realize the importance of having a connection

Revivalist preacher, Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, raves about the punishments that are in an unconverted sinners’ near future. Edwards purpose is to spark a religious revival in Puritan communities using fear as a motivator. He adopts a zealous tone in order to provoke emotional distress in his audience members that are “out of Christ”. In his sermon, Edwards uses numerous persuasive styles, including terrifying imagery and metaphors.

The methods Edwards uses leads to the overall effect of the sermon. The use of direct addressing and fear force caused the audience to convert and become fully devoted to Puritanism. Hundreds of citizens converted to the religion after Edwards’ sermon showing how he is very influential to the citizens in his time.

Persuasion, “The act of causing people to do or believe something: the act or activity of persuading people”. While looking at each speech, both Edwards and Henry used three powerful literary devices in presenting their speeches: Persuasion, Reason, and Emotion. In Edwards’s message “Sinners in the hand of an angry God” his main tactic was the use of persuasion and emotion. For example, on P.39 Edwards says, “The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked”.

In Johnathan Edward's, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Edwards has a particular style of writing that conveys an underlying purpose when delivering the sermon. Throughout the sermon, he uses multiple writing techniques and tools to engage the listener more, and to assure the listeners believe and trust him. Edwards purpose of writing and delivering the sermon, is to warn his people and to whomever else wants to agree, that they all must show their remorse of their sins to God before it is too late. Every sentence in the sermon, is based around scarring the people even more and more. Edwards accomplishes this by using certain diction and structure, a certain tone, and persuasive figurative language.