The Parable of the Prodigal Son PDF

Preview

Summary

One of the Blackboard Graded Assignments. ...

Description

Professor Taylor English 2030 20 October 2016 1. This story has traditionally been called “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” What does prodigal mean? Which of the two brothers is prodigal? Prodigal is defined as being wastefully extravagant. The younger brother is prodigal, spending his inheritance with “riotous living”, making him prodigal compared to his older brother. 2. What position does the younger son expect when he returns to his father’s house? What does the father give him? The younger son expects the position of a servant when he returned home, but instead is given praise as well as material possessions such as the best rope, a ring, and shoes. The fattest calf was killed in his honor and a feast would be held for his return. 3. When the older brother sees the celebration for his younger brother’s return, he grows angry. He makes a very reasonable set of complaints to his father. He has indeed been a loyal and moral son, but what virtue does the older brother lack? While the older son is indeed loyal and moral, he lacks the virtue of family. He was selfish, perhaps rightfully so, to desire a festival for his own determination and hardwork. Through outward actions he was always there for his father, but his inward desires for recognition were seen as unholy. 4. Is the father fair to the elder son? Explain your answer. It is hard to say if the father is fair to the son. While humanity lives on praise and recognition for their actions, it is right to say that the father should show a bit of appreciation, but it is not right for the elder son to disregard his family simply because of his younger brother’s return. He too deserved recognition for realizing that his own selfish actions led him to destitution. With this in mind, the father is fair to the elder son, but the son does not realize this. 5. Theologians have discussed this parable’s religious significance for two thousand years. What, in your own words, is the human theme of this story? The human theme of the story is that regardless of error, all deserve a second chance. The younger sibling was indeed selfish for asking for his inheritance before his father’s death, and did indeed waste it all, but upon learning his lesson he was welcomed back with open arms as he gained the knowledge of how and why he ended up poor and malnourished....