Conversion Narrative Definition

1. Definition: Testimony of spiritual experience that Puritans offer to ministers and congregations in both old and New England in order to gain church membership. The conversion narrative was offered as evidence that the teller was predestined for salvation by God. Over time, conversion narratives began to assume a particular narrative shape that came to be known as the Morphology of Conversion. Conversion NarrativeDefinition

2. Contrition: individual begins to take stock of his life and begins to see the errors of his ways. (Man should look into the Law of God and make an examination of his life and state according to the Law.)‏ Humiliation: the individual begins to suffer from a sense of his own sinfulness. (Conviction of conscience by which seeker realizes that he is under sin.)‏ Vocation: The individual feels himself called by God to make amends, despite the seeming hopelessness of his situation. (Despair of salvation, in respect to strength of self and other creatures.)‏ Implantation: in response to his terror and grief at his spiritual condition, the individual makes a confession to God (True humiliation of heart, grief and fear because of sin. Confession)‏ Exaltation: the individual experiences saving Grace for the first time. (first entrance into the state of saving grace)$ Posession: The individual feels the assurance of saving Grace. (Awareness of presence of faith). Conversion Narrative6 Steps

3. How has a specific text altered, transformed, or challenged theconversion narrative? Thomas Shepard The Autobiography

4. T. Shepard‘s The Autobiography • different from genre of conversion narrative: - written instead of oral - much longer than the usual c. narrative - includes political & religious turmoil - doubt: God‘s will vs Man‘s will God‘s will does not seem to be the right plot - ending: resistance/ refusal to embrace plot

5. fiction interior authority private experience private judgement Conversions vs. Novels • non-fiction • exterior authority • public experience • public judgement

6. world of God, Devil and the supernatural holds influence & power over visible world Visibility vs. Invisibility in Conversion Narratives • physical world • experienced by the 5 senses • Everything happens for a reason • God behind everything

7. Wieland and the Invisible World • Gothic element invisible forces • Mysterious events  search for explanation, reasoning, discussion  rationalize events • Wieland’s belief in supernatural revelation  destruction • Consolation: human strength

8. Wieland and Conversion? • Wieland‘s father • seduction through a book, unmediated  dangerous • „he laboured to keep alive a sentiment of fear, and a belief of the awe-creating presence of the Deity“ (9)‏ • Wieland • “that mine were the supreme delight of knowing the will, and of performing it” (152)‏ • God’s call  destruction

9. Wieland and Conversion? • Clara, commenting on her father’s death: “Was this the penalty of disobedience? This the stroke of a vindictive and invisible hand? Is it a fresh proof that the Divine Ruler interferes in human affaires, mediates an end, selects and commissions his agents, and enforces, by unequivocal sanctions, submission to his will?”(18)‏ • Clara, writing from Montpellier: “It is true that I am now changed; but I have not the consolation to reflect that my change was owing to my fortitude or my capacity for instruction [. . .] perhaps it merely argues a fickleness of temper, and a defect of sensibility.” (215)‏

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