Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons^™

Shameless Shame: St. Augustine's Confessions, Regina Eastman

Anthós Journal (1990-1996)

his paper suggests that the “Shameless Shame” of Augustine’s manipulatory language and rhetoric in the Confessions serves the distinct purpose of converting the reader to Catholicism. By tracing the way in which St. Augustine uses diverse literary forms to appeal to his readers and guide their path. This paper suggests that there is a particular reason for the rise of Catholicism, and it’s not just faith. Augustine’s use of language that could appeal to multiple strata of society allowed each to take their path to conversion, but ultimately conversion comes to be seen as a social act. One imbued with …