9.9.09 Doc Augustine 3b

In Confessions Augustine uses his sinful youth as a way to explain his virtuosity and righteousness which he acquires later in life. There is no right or wrong answer in the question of whether Augustine's admission of sins helps or hurts his autobiographical cause, simply because it depends on who is reading. However, I believe his use of sin is indeed effective.

The most important reason is because he tells the truth (at least as far as any of us can tell). To write such a religious book and have it filled with biblical references while actually lying about the past seems a bit blasphemous to me. Though he could have easily altered his past for Confessions, he does not. He wears his sins on his sleeve for all of us to see and consider when he easily did not have to, which grants his work more validity.

Also, another reason he discusses his sinning is because it is a way to offer hope to those who have sinned. Augustine realizes that at some point in our lives, we have all done something perhaps regrettable, perhaps immoral, perhaps illegal. He knows we all can relate to "stealing a pear." In opening up his past, he offers salvation to those who have sinned and need guidance. Through his work we learn he is a changed man that anyone else can aspire too.