The Savage John and the Civilized Jesus
The Savage John and the Civilized Jesus is a book by George Bernard Shaw that explores the contrast between two different ways of life - one based on instinct and emotion, represented by the character of John, and the other based on reason and civilization, represented by the character of Jesus. The book examines how these two approaches to life interact with each other and how they shape our understanding of morality and ethics.
By George Bernard Shaw · First published 1903 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Religious Commentary, Satire · 690 words
First lines
Jesus went beyond it very rapidly, according to Matthew. Though, like John, he became an itinerant preacher, he departed widely from John's manner of life. John went into the wilderness, not into the synagogues; and his baptismal font was the river Jordan. He was an ascetic, clothed in skins and living on locusts and wild honey, practising a savage austerity. He courted martyrdom, and met it at the hands of Herod. Jesus saw no merit either in asceticism or martyrdom. In contrast to John he was essentially a highly-civilized, cultivated person. According to Luke, he pointed out the contrast himself, chaffing the Jews for complaining that John must be possessed by the devil because he was a teetotaller and vegetarian, whilst, because Jesus was neither one nor the other, they reviled him as a gluttonous man and a winebibber, the friend of the officials and their mistresses.
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The Savage John and the Civilized Jesus is listed on Textopian as an essay by George Bernard Shaw, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: George Bernard Shaw
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Religious Commentary, Satire, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 690 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — Explores deep philosophical themes through the contrasting lives and teachings of John and Jesus.
- Religious Commentary — Analyzes and critiques religious figures and their differing approaches to spirituality and morality.
- Satire — Uses humor and irony to critique religious and societal norms.
- Historical Fiction — Incorporates historical figures and settings to explore thematic contrasts.
Tags
philosophy · religion · civilization · savagery · morality · human nature · critique · sociology · theology · sacrifice · suffering · redemption