The Significance of Music

I thought it was especially interesting that during Augustine's explanation concerning his reception into the church, he mentioned the importance of music in the realm of a church service. Augustine writes, when he began attending church, "It was the time that the practice was instituted of singing hymns and psalms after the manner of the Eastern churches, to keep the people from being altogether worn out with anxiety and want of sleep" (173). Being a pretty regular churchgoer, I see where Augustine is coming from when he writes that hymns aid people in not falling asleep during the droll of a pastor in a one hour long service. My pastor in Urbanna posseses this droll to a great extent. In our services, we rely on the choir not only to keep us awake, but to give us motivation to pay attention and focus on the rest of the service. Although my upcoming statement may only be an assumption, it seems to me that the gift of music has aided immensely in the spirituality of many people of all religions as it triggers alertness and the ability to become involved in the contents of the service.

People love Lost Sheep

Even in Augustine's day, lost sheep were the recipients of much praise, or at least more so than those who are "normal". Augustine writes, "O loving God, what is it in men that makes them rejoice more for the salvation of a soul that was despaired of or one delivered from a major peril, than if there had always been hope or the peril had been less" (145). This concept of praising the lost sheep is still seen today. For example look at the NFL. When the Patriots beat San Diego to advance to the super bowl, they received less praise than did the Giants who struggled to pass Green Bay. Everyone knew the Patriots would be super bowl contenders, but there were a larger number of skeptics concerning the success of the Giants. Despite the Patriots record breaking season, the Giants received more praise for their win because it was an upset. Augustine writes, "Greater joy is heralded by greater pain". This statement still rings true today because man likes to watch others succeed after encountering significant opposition, not easily on their first try.

Temptation

In Augustine's confessions he speaks of many past temptations. He speaks of the temptations involved in stealing from the pear tree and well as the temptation of adultery. He makes pretty solid argument explaining that temptation cannot be wholly avoided. Concerning the issue of women, he writes, "He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God: but he that is with a wife is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife" (26). In economic terms, man's wants are insatiable. Man has to chose what he wants. Does he want a wife or does he want to be a model Christian. Whichever option he chooses, temptation will be present and cause him to want the other. He has no way no get all he desires and man is stuck in the trap of temptation. Life is about choices and the consequences that result according to the choices you make. Everyone has to deal with the consequences of this choices.

Our Time on Earth

As a Christian, I am taught to view my humanly existence as a vehicle for obtaining eternal salvation. The Bible teaches that Christians establish their faith during their time on Earth, and make known that they want their lives to be dominanted by the quest for salvation. In a Christian life, all actions reflect goodwill and the presence of God. Augustine causes me to closely examine my faith as he writes, "I know not where I came from, when I came into this life-in-death or should I call it death-in-life" (6). Most Christians would agree that the mortal existence is merely an obstacle to achieve an eternal life in death. Therefore are human existence is death in life, we are simply fulfilling an obligation. Despite the correctness of this statement, I also believe that most people try to make the most of their human existence whether that means having the most fun or making the most fun. It is hard to be completely true to the goal of eternal salvation, but is a necessary part of Christian ideology.

Foreshadowing of Lily's Death

From the moment at the pharmacy when Lily purchases her sleeping the pills, the reader is given a few signs suggesting that her prescription may be used to overdose and sleep eternally. The scene at the pharmacy on page 305 describes how the medicine is likely to be ultimately used. Here begins the excerpt: "The clerk had read the prescription without comment, but in the act of handing out the bottle he paused. 'You don't want to increase the dose, you know', he remarked. Lily's heart contracted. What did he mean by looking at her in this way? 'Of course not', she murmured, holding out her hand. 'That's all right; it's a queer-acting drug. A drop or two more, and off you go; the doctors don't know why." (305) In this scene it almost seems that the pharmacist is aware that Lily may abuse her prescription. It is possible that her heart rate increased because she was scared of what was going to come. She is also scared that the pharmacist may have noticed her final intentions for these drugs. The impulses and senses felt by Lily Bart and the pharmacist during this interaction foreshadow the coming of something unwanted.

Lily in the Workplace

Although Lily thinks that her special deftness of touch will make her an adept millener, her preconceptions are wrong. After two months of work, "she was still being rebuked for her inability to sew spangles on a hat-frame" (301). Not only was she an unproductive worker, she was humiliated when she discovered that "after two months of drugery she still betrayed her lack of early training. Lily's lack of ability to ever become a great millener is similar to my desire to be a great golfer. Although my grandfather taught me the basics of gold when I was an adolescent, Today my golf game is miserable. I am unsuitable to play on the actual course and am still confined to the driving range after years of practice. Like Lily, I am losing hope of ever being a competitive golfer. Although I will never quit trying to learn golf, I have shifted my priorities away from being a great golfer to keeping myseld in some sort of physical condition and not letting my body deteriorate completely.

You just can't get what you want

The true relationship between Lily Bart and Mrs. Peniston, as well as Mrs. Peniston's true character become evident as Lily asks Mrs. Peniston for help in order to repay her gambling debt. Lily, shamefully, confesses to Mrs. Peniston that she has incurred gambling debts. Mrs. Peniston considers Lily's acts "horrors" (181), and is further enraged that Lily played cards on a Sunday. Ultimately, Lily refuses to give Lily money because she does not want to "do anything to give the impression that I countenance your behaviour. If you really owe your dress-maker; I will settle with her." (182). Mrs. Peniston's refusal to pay Lily's debt is like your parents refusing to give you an allowance at college. While they won't give you money to go out during the weekend, they have no problem helping with books fees and meal plans, things that are necessary and that they feel like they will have to buy themselves despite your efforts to help out. The situation Lily faces with her parents is similar to the situation many college students face with they parents.