CliffsNotes on

St. Augustine's Confessions

Search this CliffsNote

Book Summary

St. Augustine Biography

Personal Background
Major Works

About St. Augustine's Confessions

Introduction
Augustine's Influences: Neo-Platonism
Augustine's Influences: Manichaeism

Summary and Analysis by Chapter

Book 1: Chapters 1–5
Book 1: Chapters 6–7
Book 1: Chapters 8–11
Book 1: Chapters 12–20
Book 2: Chapters 1–3
Book 2: Chapters 4–10
Book 3: Chapters 1–5
Book 3: Chapters 6–12
Book 4: Chapters 1–3
Book 4: Chapters 4–13
Book 4: Chapters 13–16
Book 5: Chapters 1–7
Book 5: Chapters 8–14
Book 6: Chapters 1–10
Book 6: Chapters 7–16
Book 7: Chapters 1–21
Book 8: Chapters 1–4
Book 8: Chapters 5–12
Book 9: Chapters 1–7
Book 9: Chapters 8–13
Book 10: Chapters 1–25
Book 10: Chapters 26–34
Book 11: Chapters 1–31
Book 12: Chapters 1–31
Book 13: Chapters 1–38

Critical Essays

The Confessions and Autobiography
Augustine's View of Sexuality
Women in the Confessions

Study and Homework Help

Full Glossary for St. Augustine's Confessions
Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

CliffsNotes To Go Sweepstakes -- Enter Now to Win an iPod touch Loaded with Cliffs Study Apps

How hot is Levi Johnston?

Sizzlin'!
Not bad. I've seen better.
He's taking the quick fame thing way too far.

View Results

Study and Homework Help

Quiz

1:  Augustine belonged to which of the following religions before converting to Catholic Christianity?

a. Buddhism

b. Manichaeism

c. Hippo Zen

d. Neo-Platonism
2:  Augustine and his mother Monica experienced a vision of eternal life while they were in

a. Plato’s company

b. the halls of the University of Carthage

c. the port city of Ostia

d. a monastery in Milan
3:  Which of the following is not a type of sin, according to Augustine?

a. Lust of the lips

b. Lust of the eyes

c. Lust for domination (pride)

d. Lust of the senses (concupiscence)
4:  Augustine argued that only the grace of God could

a. move human beings toward salvation

b. erase the memory of original sin

c. save the Roman Empire

d. shed light on the Prince of Darkness
5:  According to Manichee myth, Light and Darkness originally existed

a. as a gray area

b. without knowledge of each other

c. as the Primal Man and the Living Spirit

d. only in evil souls
6:  Augustine’s proposition that all human impulses toward God have their origin in God places much emphasis on

a. human freedom of the will

b. God’s intent to overpower human beings

c. man’s creative nature

d. the weakness of mankind
7:  Why was Augustine’s baptism into Christianity postponed?

a. He had not completed the required acts of penance.

b. His medical condition improved.

c. He decided to accept the Manichee faith instead.

d. He balked at the thought of being dipped in water.
8:  Although God gave Augustine many fine qualities, Augustine believed he was sinful as a human because he

a. sought truth and beauty in the world

b. tried to seduce Danae

c. denounced the story of Adam and Eve

d. performed poorly in school
9:  Augustine and his gang of friends found joy in stealing

a. religious artifacts

b. pears from an orchard

c. Monica’s favorite locket

d. kisses from unsuspecting muses
10:  Based on a literal reading of the Bible, Manicheans accused Catholic Christianity of

a. needless slaughter

b. ignorance and affectation

c. perpetuating lack of intellectual curiosity

d. absurdity and immorality
11:  Who said the following: “Our heart is restless until it rests with you.”

a. Monica, in her vigilance to return her son to the faith

b. Ambrose, who repeats the word of God to Augustine

c. Augustine, in reflection of his spiritual wanderings

d. Augustine’s father, on his deathbed
12:  Who said the following: “Take and read.”

a. The bishop

b. The mysterious child’s voice

c. Monica

d. Symmachus
13:  Who said the following: “It cannot be that the son of these tears should perish.”

a. Augustine

b. the ex-Manichee bishop

c. Augustine’s concubine

d. Nebridius



Previous page
Next page
Resources

Tools & Resources

Ask Cliff

Read More About

CliffsNotes® To Go
Literature reviews for the iPhone™ & iPod touch® help you study anywhere, anytime.
Learn more now!
cover
Defining Twilight
Your key to acing the SAT, ACT, GED, and SSAT through Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga.
The Ultimate Learning Experience!
WATCH the film and READ the lit note for a fast way to study!
Learn more!