Sinners in the angry hands of God and Go down death

             Have you ever wondered what death actually felt like? Ever stopped to think and ask yourself: Is death a calm and welcoming experience? Or is death a painful and sorrowful experience? Many people perceive death in different ways. Although people believe what they want to believe, does that make what they believe right? Jonathan Edwards writes about death in one of his works called "Sinners in the Angry Hands of God" or "Sinners". But he is not the only writer who writes about death, James Weldon Johnson writes about death as well in his poem entitled "Go Down, Death" or "Death". Both authors show both similarities and differences in their works through the use of literary devices.
             First off, both authors use imagery in their works. In Jonathan Edwards's "Sinners" he writes that, "...there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of..." (Pg. 80) here he writes that once you are chosen to go to hell, you do not have a second chance to get our of the pit hole you are in. There is nothing below you that will stop you from falling into the fiery pit of hell. Edwards shows a negative image on life after death. In contrast, James Weldon Johnson's "Death" shows a more positive image. He writes, "...she saw Old Death...he looked at her like a welcome friend..." (Pg. 737) Here death is not described to be evil or unforgiving. He welcomes Sister Caroline into her "new" life. Thus giving it a more positive image.
             Although they may have different images on life after death, they both have positive images. In Edward's "Sinners", he shows that the Lord can spare you your life. He writes, "...The wrath of God is like the great waters increase more and more...there is nothing but the mere pleasure of God that holds the waters back..." (Pg. 80) Here...

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Sinners in the angry hands of God and Go down death. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 04:50, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/5752.html