Questions tagged [religion]

For questions about the literary significance of religious works or the effects of religion on literature.

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17 votes
4 answers
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Which flood story was first: Genesis or The Epic of Gilgamesh?

I have heard that The Epic of Gilgamesh may predate the stories of Noah told in Abrahamic works. Is there any evidence to support which story came first?
James Jenkins's user avatar
36 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is Judaism represented in the Narnia books?

In C.S. Lewis's Narnia books, it's very clear that the Narnians are meant to represent Christianity, with Aslan symbolising Jesus (in fact, Aslan is literally Jesus in-universe), while the Calormenes ...
Rand al'Thor's user avatar
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28 votes
2 answers
5k views

Is Sherlock Holmes religious?

In this question, it is established that Sherlock Holmes, from the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was asexual and in explaining that it is stated that he showed very little emotion in general. This ...
Benjamin's user avatar
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20 votes
1 answer
996 views

Was Paradise Lost the first major work of literature to give "sympathy for the devil"?

John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost was first published in England in 1667. While this is long after the Protestant Reformation where alternative ideas about Christianity became slightly more ...
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14 votes
1 answer
3k views

What is the foundation of the religion in Watership Down?

In Watership Down, El-ahrairah is essentially the father of all rabbits. He interacts with Prince Rainbow who seems to be a god. From where do the religious history and/or deities in the story come?
James Jenkins's user avatar
13 votes
5 answers
6k views

Did the Lord of the Flies have any kind of religious reference more specific than just the Devil?

Lord of the Flies contains an absurd amount of biblical references, one of which being the titular character. The creature is obviously supposed to be some kind of demon or devil, but is this a ...
Matrim Cauthon's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
101 views

Who or what is 'our God' in Swinburne's 'Ave atque Vale'?

The following is a bonus question to "Who is the 'pale Titan-woman' in Swinburne's 'Ave atque Vale'?", which I was advised to separate into its own question. The twelfth verse of 'Ave atque ...
Tom Hosker's user avatar
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