The Dialectic of Orality and Literacy: The Case of Book 4 of Augustine's De doctrina christiana
John D. Schaeffer
Some critics cite book 4 of Augustine's De doctrina Christiana as a source the anti-rhetorical style Renaissance English prose. However, such do not recognize that offers instruction in extemporaneous oral performance. Nor contemporary note pervasive orality, though substantial critical literature addresses this fact. The relation orality to literacy was complex late antiquity, particularly illiterates converted Christianity, text-based religion. prescriptions can be seen illustrate development “innerness” among Christians. Book shows how Scripture reading, prayer, and marshaled produce performances provoke interior religious experiences. Modern criticism views oralily simple opposites privileges lead misreading. As document imbricated oralily, however, makes different kind sense.
Publications of the Modern Language Association of America