Humor and Faith

We read Francis Bacon's "Of Youth and Age" on page 552 of the NR. Yes, this is one of those essays that, though brief, elicits groans of "this is hard to read!" I suggest then, that you think of the words of Samuel Johnson as you read Bacon's essay: "What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure." That being said, we read Bacon as a precursor to the general philosophies, maxims and morals we will associate with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence. As we read Bacon's essay, I asked you to take notes on the differences between young and old. We discussed these differences and then read the preface to Prose Forms: Maxims and Morals on p. 737-8 of the NR. In class: Read Benji (OK, OK, Ben...) Franklin's excerpts from Poor Richard's Almanack. Select your five favorite maxims and explain what Franklin meant and how that meaning can translate to your life/our lives today.

Because of our testing schedule tomorrow and Wednesday, tonight's homework assignment is due Thursday when you come to class. Additionally, remember to bring Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence with you on Thursday! You will also need to bring a one-subject notebook for journaling. Remember, for this assignment, your journals cannot be typed. This writing is meant to be a free excercise that explores your stream of consciousness--and writing your thoughts on the computer often causes you to be too self aware of what you're writing. I don't want you to get caught up in the self editing process for this assignment.

Today's assignment:
Reinhold Niebuhr's "Humor and Faith," p. 1141 in the Norton Reader. Before you read the essay, answer this question: Do you associate religious faith with humor or laughter? Why or why not? (It is essential you answer this question before you read the essay, so your response will not be skewed after reading Niebuhr's essay. All you need to do is jot down your thoughts, so you can respond honestly to the assignment after you read).

1. TAP the essay and answer questions #1, #2.
2. For question #1, identify one appeal to ethos, one appeal to pathos, and one appeal to logos that Niebuhr makes in the essay. For each, give the example and explain how it fits into that category of appeal.
3. While answering question #2, incorporate the strategies of rhetoric Niebuhr uses to convey his views of man and God.

JOURNAL: In your journal, respond fully to the prompt in #3, p. 1150.