Classic English Literature

Pick one completed order and revise it. Make 10 changes, and explain those 10 changes in full sentences- why did you make the change? What skill is it connected to?

ANSWER

Faith versus Reason to Question Belief in The Exorcist

In a modern world where most occurrences are explained either by science or logic, many people, including The Exorcist characters, are unwilling to consider a supernatural force responsible for Regan’s wellness. Chris Macneil, Regan’s mother, is immediately introduced as a critical thinker. Still, later in the story, after observing what the negative health outcomes the ‘illness’ had on her daughter, she is willing to compromise her atheism and trust the church to find a solution. The development is a great paradox, considering how she initially thinks of possession is irrational. Supernatural forces shapes people’s lives at the community level.

Not only does Chris brings about the question of faith versus religion but also Father Karras. On the first approach Chris explains that “most educated people in the Church do not believe in the Devil, and conditions thought to be possessions are simply medical and psychological problems” (Blatty). The father himself doubts his faith, saying that “he does not want to have to find Jesus in the ugliness of the world, and cannot see God’s love amidst suffering” (Blatty). Within the first approach to Regan’s condition, most people choose to abandon their faith, the presence of demons in the world, perhaps to hide their fear or lack of faith. Perhaps the most significant contribution to the faith vs. reason debate is when Father Karras says, “Regan’s psychokinesis moves the furniture, which is not that uncommon, not because of demonic power” (Blatty 211).

The story begins on a level where no one believes in the supernatural. However, as the story progresses, many people people start to believe that Regan was indeed possessed, and the only remedy is an exorcist. Perhaps Blatty’s idea for the novel was so that his readers, nonbelievers, would eventually realize that indeed the supernatural exists, and the only way through is faith.

Changes Made

Wrong Action  and Verb Statement

“The furniture could be moving because of Regan’s psychokinesis” statement utilizes in inappropriate action verb structure. It should be, “Regan’s psychokinesis moves the furniture.”

Wordy Statement

The text states that “Perhaps Blatty’s ideas are for the novel was so that his readers would realize supernatural exists appears wordy. Instead, it should be “Perhaps Blatty’s idea for readers to understand supernatural exists through his novel.”

Dangling statement

The statement, “after observing what the illness was doing to her daughter,” integrates a descriptive phrase that does not appropriately define the noun. It has changed to “after observing the negative health outcomes the illness had on her daughter.”

Wrong use of Tenses

The statement “many people start to believe that Regan was indeed possessed, and the only remedy is an exorcist” should be replaced with “many people start to believe that Regan was indeed possed, and the only remedy was an exorcist.”

Absence of a Thesis Statement

The paper lacks a thesis statement that enables the readers to assess the paper’s overview. It becomes complicated to understand the information communicated by the writer in the paper.

Repetition

The writer states that “more and more people,” which is a repetitive statement. As opposed to repeating the word ‘more,’ it would be appropriate to say “many people.”

Long Sentences

Some of the sentences are long and might lead to a loss of meaning. It is important to make a sentence as minimal as possible to enhance the paper’s flow.

Unclear Statement

The statement “considering how she initially thinks of possession is irrational” is unclear to the readers and fails to derive the meaning. Instead, it should be “considering how she initially thinks of possession as being irrational.”

Inappropriate connections

The writer states that “Not only Chris brings about the question of faith versus religion, but Father Karras” instead of “Not only does Christ bring about the question of faith of faith versus religion but also Father Karras.”

Wrong In-text Citations

The in-text (Blatty 1971) should be (Blatty, page number).

Works Cited:

Blatty, William Peter. 1971. The Exorcist. New York: HarperCollins, 2011. Kindle.