Discussion Board

Each of the readings this week make their literary form explicit. Jesus’ writings as well as the Zen writings are parables. MLK, on the other hand, writes in the form of a letter.

1. What effects do the form of the parable and the form of the letter have on an author’s message? Provide examples from the texts.

2. Compare and contrast Jesus’ arguments, the Zen authors’ arguments, and MLK’s argument. Why do you think Jesus and the Zen authors choose to communicate in parables? Why does MLK communicate through a letter?