Question

According to Augustine, how does fiction corrupt us? What does it prevent us from seeing? What does too much focus on grammar prevent us from seeing?

a) Fiction can lead us to believe in false gods and prevents us from seeing the truth of God's word. Too much focus on grammar can distract us from the deeper meaning of the text.
b) Fiction can lead us to become too attached to the material world and prevents us from seeing the spiritual realm. Too much focus on grammar can lead to a superficial understanding of the text.
c) Fiction can lead us to indulge in our own imaginations and prevents us from seeing the reality of the world around us. Too much focus on grammar can blind us to the beauty and creativity of language.
d) All of the above

Answer 1

Augustine believes that fiction may bind us to the material world, concealing the spiritual realm, and that overemphasis on grammar might result in a shallow interpretation of texts.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Augustine, one of the ways that fiction can corrupt us is by leading us to become too attached to the material world and prevents us from seeing the spiritual realm. Additionally, too much focus on grammar can lead to a superficial understanding of the text. Therefore, the closest answer to the student's question would be option b) Fiction can lead us to become too attached to the material world and prevents us from seeing the spiritual realm. Too much focus on grammar can lead to a superficial understanding of the text.

Augustine's perspective on fiction highlights concerns that engaging with fictional narratives may sidetrack us from spiritual truths and ultimate realities. This viewpoint underscores the idea that excessive focus on the material aspects of storytelling, like prioritizing grammar over content, may diminish our understanding of the text's deeper meaning. It is crucial to balance our attention between the technical elements of language and the profound ideas they convey to truly appreciate the power of literature.