Literary Analysis of Saint Augustine "The Confession"

Growing up, we were taught that the goal of living is to be happy. However, we thought that happiness can be found as intangible things. That is why we try so hard to save money to buy the things that we think can make us happy but a week or two after we got what we wanted, the happiness fade so we will be demanding another thing. We rely on our happiness to what we can have but not on God. That is why we will never be contented. The same way happened to Saint Augustine on his confessions.

“The confessions of Saint Augustine” is the translated autobiography from the original Latin work of Saint Augustine is entitled “Confessions by Saint Augustine of Hippo”. With modern English, the style of writing is Archaism which is a representation of the age of the literary work. It outlines Saint Augustine’s sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity as the theme of this literary work. He communicates with God through the use of rhetorical questions and he used highfalutin jargons in telling what happened to him and in describing his feelings.

The First-person is the point of view of these confessions since this is an autobiography of Saint Augustine. “The Confessions” is using the theological literacy in the presence of Saint Augustine to God’s admonition in which he articulates a Christian principle from the Scriptures. The principles were revealed through the Gospel- to be generous to the people who are in need, to not participate in riots, drunkenness, chambering, and wantonness, avoid strife, and a feeling of envy. Such gospel is found in Roman 13: 12-14 

“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh”.

The narrative conflict of these confessions is person vs. fate/God. Fate is the internal struggle of Saint Augustine. The fate of losing the track but then found peace in God’s hands. By that, the subject of Saint Augustine’s confessions is “True happiness can be found in God’s presence”. It presents an insight to the reader that only those who believe in God can hear his words and those who follow his words will be granted the blessing of peace, serenity, and contentment.

Saint Augustine was bothered by his restless soul due to his wrongdoings. He tried to use love and friendship to make him feel good but still, he was not satisfied, it was not enough, only then he realized that only God can give him the peace that he seeks for a long time. Through these confessions, the reader would be encouraged to reflect on whatever wrongdoings they have done, and repent. This is somehow a reminder of all Christian- who lose their interest, in pain, carry so much burden, and slowly giving up to call God’s name- to worship him, to talk to him, to follow his commands and we will have the happiness and peacefulness that we are aiming for.