Drew/American Lit
Analyzing Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Getting Into the Text
1. Edwards uses some wild imagery in his sermon. List examples of imagery below and
identify them as metaphors or similes.
2. Chose one particularly developed image from the sermon and illustrate it in the space
below. Write the quote and p.# next to your illustration.
3. Develop your own imagery imitating Edwards’ style and purpose. Be sure to fully
develop your image. Write and illustrate your imagery below.
Drew/American Lit
Analyzing the Text
1. What is Edwards’ purpose in writing this sermon?
2. What is his tone towards his audience?
3. Aside from vivid imagery designed to create an emotional experience in his audience,
Edwards makes use of several other techniques.
a. Find two examples of parallelism and list them below. How does this way of
structuring his sentences impact his audience?
b. What details in Edwards’ description help his listeners understand the concept
of eternity (49)?
c. What contrasts does Edwards set up at the end of his sermon to distinguish
between the saved and the damned?