38 pages • 1 hour read
Augustine of HippoOn Christian Doctrine
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Literary Devices
Authorial Voice
Augustine’s authorial voice is a prominent feature of On Christian Doctrine. Augustine wishes to speak with authority, and in doing so he does not shy away from offering firm opinions and rebuttals to those he believes may disagree with, or criticize, his views: as he writes in his Preface, “It is out of my power to open men’s eyes that they may see either the fact that I am pointing, or the object at which I point” (22). Augustine is content to make himself a real presence in his work and sometimes offers insights into his own background and experiences to elaborate on his themes. For example, by mentioning his own background as a former teacher of rhetoric in Book 4, Augustine establishes his authority in these matters when offering advice on public speaking; he also uses an example of one of his own successful public speeches to illustrate how an orator can move his audience through touching their emotions (399-400). In writing in such a personable yet authoritative style, Augustine seeks to establish a connection with his reader and reinforce his credentials in addressing various issues.
Metaphor
Augustine occasionally uses metaphor to help illustrate some of his ideas for his readers. The most important metaphors in On Christian Doctrine are the metaphors of the journey and of Israel.
In writing about the state of the believer in the temporal world in Book 1, Augustine repeatedly likens the believer’s life to that of an exile who is seeking to return to his native land. He calls the kingdom of heaven “our Father’s home,” from which “we have wandered” (38), and later urges his readers to “look upon this [spiritual] purification as a kind of journey or voyage to our native land” (47). In using the metaphor of an exile’s journey, Augustine helps his reader to visualize their spiritual struggles in more readily accessible terms.
The metaphor of Israel is used to draw a distinction between the Jewish and Christian faith. While Israel exists as the geographical and historical homeland of the Jewish people, Augustine likens the Christian Church to a “spiritual Israel” that is “made up, not of one nation, but of all nations” (279), and describes it as “the land of the blessed, the land of the living” (280). This embodies the essence of Augustine’s ecclesiastical ideal: a church that is strong, unified, authoritative, and above all, universal in its impact and reach.
Rhetorical Questions
Augustine writes at length about rhetorical techniques in Book 4, and one of his own techniques is the use of rhetorical questions. For example, Augustine writes in one passage in Book 4, “For is there anything greater than God Himself? Is nothing, then, to be learned about Him? […] Are we in this case to seek out ornaments instead of proofs?” (364). These are all a series of rhetorical questions, meaning that such questions do not actually anticipate or invite an answer; rather, the speaker or writer is using these questions as a stylistic effect to engage his audience. By using rhetorical questions, Augustine marries the form and content of his work. His subject matter is rhetoric, and so his own use of a rhetorical technique both showcases his own skills while helping to illustrate effective techniques for his readers to emulate.
Related Titles
By Augustine of Hippo
