What is the “preference” John Ruskin refers to at the beginning of the second paragraph? According to Ruskin, who is responsible for it? The merchant himself? The public? Explain.
Chapter 7 - from The Roots of Honor - Exploring the Text: What is the “preference” John Ruskin refers to at the beginning of the second paragraph? According to Ruskin, who is responsible for it? The merchant himself? The public? Explain.
How does Ruskin characterize commerce in paragraphs 3 and 4? What has changed since 1862? What has not?
Chapter 7 - from The Roots of Honor - Exploring the Text: How does Ruskin characterize commerce in paragraphs 3 and 4? What has changed since 1862? What has not?
How reasonable are Ruskin’s statements about the five great professions (para. 6)? Do you agree that the merchant’s profession is not, as many would say, to make money, but to provide for the country?
Chapter 7 - from The Roots of Honor - Exploring the Text: How reasonable are Ruskin’s statements about the five great professions (para. 6)? Do you agree that the merchant’s profession is not, as many would say, to make money, but to provide for the country?
Ruskin writes, “For, truly, the man who does not know when to die, does not know how to live” (para. 8). What does Ruskin mean to suggest with this epigrammatic statement? How might it apply to your life?
Chapter 7 - from The Roots of Honor - Exploring the Text: Ruskin writes, “For, truly, the man who does not know when to die, does not know how to live” (para. 8). What does Ruskin mean to suggest with this epigrammatic statement? How might it apply to your life?
Explain the nature of the comparison Ruskin makes between the merchant and the clergyman (para. 9).
Chapter 7 - from The Roots of Honor - Exploring the Text: Explain the nature of the comparison Ruskin makes between the merchant and the clergyman (para. 9).
In paragraph 9, Ruskin writes of the pastor, the physician, and the merchant, “All three, if true men. . . .” What are the purpose and effect of the qualifier “if true men”?
Chapter 7 - from The Roots of Honor - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 9, Ruskin writes of the pastor, the physician, and the merchant, “All three, if true men. . . .” What are the purpose and effect of the qualifier “if true men”?
What, according to Ruskin, is the duty of the merchant as described in paragraphs 10 and 11?
Chapter 7 - from The Roots of Honor - Exploring the Text: What is the nature of the analogy developed in paragraphs 12–14? Do you find it reasonable and persuasive? Explain.
Ruskin concludes, “All which sounds very strange: the only real strangeness in the matter being, nevertheless, that it should so sound” (para. 15). Does it “sound strange” to you? Do you agree that the sounding strange is the only strange thing about it? Why does he conclude this way?
Chapter 7 - from The Roots of Honor - Exploring the Text: Ruskin concludes, “All which sounds very strange: the only real strangeness in the matter being, nevertheless, that it should so sound” (para. 15). Does it “sound strange” to you? Do you agree that the sounding strange is the only strange thing about it? Why does he conclude this way?