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Passage Identification
1. The speaker of this passage is Cook Ding. The words are said in the writings of Chuang Tzu in his book Traditional China. The writings are in the chapter the secret of caring for life. Cook Ding utters the words whenhe was cutting an ox for Lord Wenhui. He slithered the knife in a perfect rhythm and made the lord to exclaim, “Imagine skill reaching such heights!” In response, cook Ding lays down his knife and explains why he cares about the way, which goes beyond the skill. The relevance of these words to the tradition of China is to signify the value of mastering an act. Its relevance is symbolized when someone like Ding has mastered the act of analyzing, posing alternatives and reasoning from first principles. The people learn that inappropriate action leads to conflict, friction, frustration or disease. Its use is that it allows human experience to blend out and fit in a particular situation with natural ease.
5. Augustine is the writer of this passage. He utters the words when faced with the desire of sexual sin that he preferred to satisfy than extinguish. Moreover, he explains how he led a sinful and immoral life. He prays to his father to deliver him from the desire of concupiscence. His works outline the life of a single person in the 4th and 5th centuries. He develops thoughts and features spiritual insights and mediations. His work is relevant to the Christian world. Augustine was converted into a Christian in spite of his sinful youth. His life holds an inspiration that religion holds the only truth. He becomes baptized and abstains from sex and turns into a devoted Christian. The theme that underlies his confession is the act of redemption. Augustine sees his life as an instance of a new entire creation to God. Christians learn that nothing is impossible with God in this creation. People sin but there is always a second chance to God. Redemption is guaranteed to all Christians. There is also the relevance of sexual abstinence among youths. Youths are taught to pray for chastity and contingency.
6. The speaker of this passage is Montaigne in his essay “That to Study Philosophy is to Learn to Die”. He writes this word when explaining the value of death. He tries to counter the work of other philosophers who discuss the philosophy of death. The time is characterized by philosophers trying to fight death. Montaigne writes his work to criticize them and discusses quality living. The relevance of this passage is to show a human that living by reason is the most important part of humane life. Montaigne says, “Live triumphing over as many ages as you will, death will still remain eternal.” He says that no man is important than another one and no one is stronger than the other is. Furthermore, no one can predict what will happen tomorrow. These signify that spiritual and physical factors do not make a person better off than another. Although people, are made in different shapes and sizes, death is certain for sure but it does not matter if someone lives his life fully. He teaches humans not to fear death as it is an indicator of measuring the value of someone life. He goes further ahead to say that the value of human life can be measured when one is dead. He sees each action as his last and encourages humans to stay encouraged and fortify themselves. The importance of this text is in the modern world and all young people who are growing up. It encourages people to live up to their expectations and living every minute fully because the next minute is not guaranteed.