Example and Rule in Donne

Several twentieth-century critics have argued that John Donne appeals to memory instead of trying to teach the "perverse reason." These critics, citing an Augustinian influence, have emphasized Donne's role as a reminder--prompting his listeners to recall what the inner teacher (Christ) has revealed directly to their understanding. I suggest that Donne works primarily in a more Aristotelian tradition (particularly as represented in the works of Thomas Aquinas), appealing to memory not instead of reason, but rather because memory is a necessary prerequisite for the operation of reason. Working from a sense-oriented epistemology, Donne attempts to bring his listeners to an understanding of "absent and remote" universal truths (Rule) by means of concrete, visual images (Examples) chosen for their appeal to memory.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Masselink, Noralyn Jean

Contributors dc:contributor

• Stein, Arnold,

• Literature, English

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8803129

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/69468