1. Why is the stranger surprised to find a Methodist preacher in a village?
2. There are two groups attending the sermon: the local people and the Methodists. What is the difference between them?
3. Bible note: “Sehon King of the Amorites” – Mr Rann refers here to Psalm 136
1: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. ...
10: To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: ...(Leszek Kołakowski at this point asks the question: what does Egypt think about God’s mercy?)
...
17: To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18: And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20: And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 21: And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Why is this quote appropriate for the situation, at least in the eyes of Mr Rann?
4. What are the views of the villagers regarding preaching women?
5. Why do the villagers come to listen to Dinah?
6. Dinah is a biblical name. Who was the Old Testament Dinah and why did Eliot choose to give her name to her heroine?
7. What impression does Dinah make on her listeners? What features of her behaviour contribute to that impression?
8. What are the most salient points of Dinah’s sermon and why are they particularly appropriate for her audience?
9. “eat an egg, an apple, or a nut." – refers to an old proverb – “Apples, eggs and nuts you may eat, though dressed by sluts”. NOTE! “slut” here means a slovenly woman, not a promiscuous one.
10.What features of Dinah’s religion are emphasized? What aspects of Methodism are presented in this chapter?
11. Dinah as a female preacher is nothing exceptional; John Wesley as a young man demanded:
But may not women, as well as men, bear a part in this honourable service? Undoubtedly they may; nay, they ought; it is meet, right and their bounden duty. ... There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus. ... You, as well as men, are rational creatures. You, like them, were made in the image of God; you are equally candidates for immortality; you too are called of God, as you have time, to ‘do good unto all men’. Be ‘not disobedient to the heavenly calling’.
mazurekAP