Parables In Religion

Purpose of both texts

Parable 1

Parable of the Prodigal Son

• Biblical
• Lesson: Forgiveness and Family

Unique qualities

• Double meaning (a literal meaning and a deeper meaning)
• Have surprises

basic christian beliefs

• God created the universe + people
• Deities - God and Jesus
• God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Parable 2

The Thief Who Became A Disciple

• Zen
• Lesson: Compassion can change people for the better

Unique qualities

• Very wide interpretation of what it means
• Meant to help people understand life better

basic zen/buddhist beliefs

• Four noble truths
• Three universal truths
• Noble eightfold path
• Cause, end, and truth of suffering

Literary devices

Parable 1 - irony

• The older, hardworking son becomes jealous of his younger brother, becoming evil.

Parable 1 - Irony, continue

• Shows that accepting your sins is more important than just hard work.

parable 2 - Symbolism

• The money the thief is "gifted" can symbolize Kojun's compassion

parable 2 - Symbolism, continue

• By taking the money, or kindness, the thief transforms into a better person

parable 2 - Symbolism, continue

• The thief thanking him can be seen as the thief becoming better

TYPES OF WRITING

• Third person
• Narratives
• Fiction

TYPES OF WRITING, parable 1

• No quotation marks for dialogue
• Words that usually are not capitalized are capitalized Ex. "Thy" in the middle of a sentence

TYPES OF WRITING, parable 1

• Lots of colons and semicolons used
• Most lines are short, with one or two sentences

TYPES OF WRITING, parable 2

• Lots of colons used
• More modern sounding than the 1st parable (does not use "thy")