Question 1

What does McFague mean when she says that Kafka's parable does not have a message, but rather is the message? Do you agree?

Accepted Answer

good essay will:
Describe McFague's understanding and definition of a parable.
Explain how Kafka's story fits her understanding and definition.
Respond with your own view: would you agree with/refute/modify any of McFague's points?

Question 2

How does a parable intensify, or draw you deeper into, everyday reality, according to McFague?

Accepted Answer

According to McFague, a parable intensifies or draws us deeper into everyday reality by using familiar, everyday situations and experiences to convey deeper spiritual truths. By grounding the message in the familiar, the parable becomes more relatable and accessible to the audience, allowing them to see the divine within their own lives. This can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the interconnectedness of all things and the presence of the sacred in the ordinary. In this way, the parable serves to bridge the gap between the mundane and the divine, inviting us to see the world with new eyes and to recognize the presence of the sacred in our everyday experiences.

Question 3

What does McFague mean by the "incomprehensibility of the incomprehensible" and how does this fit in with her understanding of the role of parables?

Accepted Answer

Sallie McFague, a theologian and eco-feminist, uses the term "incomprehensibility of the incomprehensible" to refer to the idea that God, as the ultimate reality, is beyond human understanding. This concept aligns with her understanding of the role of parables in that parables are stories or metaphors that point to deeper truths about God and the world, but they do not fully capture or explain the entirety of God's nature. Instead, they invite contemplation and reflection on the mystery of God and the divine presence in the world. In this way, parables serve as a means of approaching the incomprehensible nature of God while acknowledging that full comprehension is ultimately beyond human capacity. They provide a way for humans to engage with the divine in a meaningful and transformative way, even if they cannot fully grasp the entirety of God's mystery.

Question 4

According to McFague, Kafka's parable is an extended metaphor.

Accepted Answer

McFague uses Kafka's parable as an example of an extended metaphor to illustrate how traditional concepts of God may be reimagined in contemporary theology, showing how metaphors can offer deep insights into complex ideas.

Question 5

A parable, to McFague is not the message; rather it has a message.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A parable, to McFague is not the...

Question 6

Kafka's parable can be reduced to aesthetic terms, according to McFague.

Accepted Answer

Sallie McFague critiques the reduction of Kafka's parable to merely aesthetic terms, arguing instead for a theological or existential interpretation that addresses deeper, more profound aspects of human existence and understanding.

Question 7

When we read a parable such as Kafka's, we are drawn deeper into reality.

Accepted Answer

Kafka's parables, like many literary works, use metaphorical or allegorical storytelling to explore complex truths about human nature and society, thereby drawing readers into a deeper understanding of reality.

Question 8

According to McFague, Kafka's parable can be interpreted autobiographically, psychologically, or theologically.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to McFague, Kafka's parable can be...

Question 9

McFague considers Kafka's parable to be
A) Translatable.
B) Interpretable.
C) Not translatable or interpretable.
D) Reducible to aesthetic concepts.

Accepted Answer

The answer of McFague considers Kafka's parable to be
A) Translatable.
B)...

Question 10

According to McFague, Kafka creates a heightened sense of haste through his use of
A) Adverbs.
B) Run-on phrases.
C) Adjectives.
D) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

Kafka often uses run-on phrases to create a sense of urgency and haste in his writing.

Question 11

Metaphorical language
A) Takes us into a surreal world.
B) Takes us deeper into reality.
C) Causes a shift in our perspective.
D) Both b and c

Accepted Answer

Metaphorical language often takes us deeper into reality by providing new insights or ways of understanding something, and it can cause a shift in our perspective by presenting ideas or concepts in novel or unexpected ways.

Question 12

In his parable, Kafka demonstrates
A) The incomprehensibility of the incomprehensible.
B) The comprehensibility of the comprehensibility.
C) What lies beyond everyday reality.
D) What the story "stands for."

Accepted Answer

Kafka's parables often explore themes of absurdity and the limits of understanding, highlighting the incomprehensibility of certain aspects of life and existence.

Question 13

According to McFague, Kafka's parable
A) Interprets us.
B) Is interpreted by us.
C) Can be understood by means of aesthetic concepts.
D) Has an objective meaning.

Accepted Answer

McFague suggests that Kafka's parable interprets us, rather than being something we interpret, emphasizing a more interactive and reflective relationship between the text and the reader.

Question 14

According to McFague, Kafka's parable can be interpreted
A) Autobiographically
B) Psychologically.
C) Theologically.
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to McFague, Kafka's parable can be...

Question 15

Think of a story or experience that caused a sudden shift in your perspective. Describe what you thought and how you felt before and after this experience.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Think of a story or experience that...

Question 16

Describe a parable that was told to you in your youth. Did this story guide your behavior in any way? Did it suggest to you a meaning within everyday life or beyond this life?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe a parable that was told to...

Question 17

Imagine you are attending an installation of art that encompasses sound, motion, light, and color. You are unsure what meaning the artists wanted to convey to the audience. How do you react, and why?
Fearing Fictions
Kendall Walton

Accepted Answer

The answer of Imagine you are attending an installation of...

Question 18

What is the value, according to Walton, of fiction (e.g., movies, plays, novels, games)? Do you agree? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the value, according to Walton,...

Question 19

How does Walton explain Charles's response to the slime? Do you find it persuasive? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Walton explain Charles's response to...

Question 20

Consider whether Walton's view could explain your own experience of watching a scary movie. Explain how well (or poorly) it does so.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider whether Walton's view could explain your...

Quiz 12: Art

What does McFague mean when she says that Kafka's parable does not have a message, but rather is the message? Do you agree?

How does a parable intensify, or draw you deeper into, everyday reality, according to McFague?

What does McFague mean by the "incomprehensibility of the incomprehensible" and how does this fit in with her understanding of the role of parables?

According to McFague, Kafka's parable is an extended metaphor.

A parable, to McFague is not the message; rather it has a message.

Kafka's parable can be reduced to aesthetic terms, according to McFague.

When we read a parable such as Kafka's, we are drawn deeper into reality.

According to McFague, Kafka's parable can be interpreted autobiographically, psychologically, or theologically.

McFague considers Kafka's parable to be

According to McFague, Kafka creates a heightened sense of haste through his use of

Metaphorical language

In his parable, Kafka demonstrates

According to McFague, Kafka's parable

According to McFague, Kafka's parable can be interpreted

Think of a story or experience that caused a sudden shift in your perspective. Describe what you thought and how you felt before and after this experience.

Describe a parable that was told to you in your youth. Did this story guide your behavior in any way? Did it suggest to you a meaning within everyday life or beyond this life?

Imagine you are attending an installation of art that encompasses sound, motion, light, and color. You are unsure what meaning the artists wanted to convey to the audience. How do you react, and why? Fearing Fictions Kendall Walton

What is the value, according to Walton, of fiction (e.g., movies, plays, novels, games)? Do you agree? Explain.

How does Walton explain Charles's response to the slime? Do you find it persuasive? Explain.

Consider whether Walton's view could explain your own experience of watching a scary movie. Explain how well (or poorly) it does so.