Genre
Philosophy
Setting and Context
The novel analyses the landscape of theological thought in the 1800s.
Narrator and Point of View
Feuerbach is the narrator of this text, illustrating his many criticisms of organized religion.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the text is informative and insightful.
Protagonist and Antagonist
There is no clear protagonist or antagonist, but Feuerbach argues that organized religion is an antagonistic societal force.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of this text is whether or not religion is based on truth.
Climax
The climax of the text is when Feuerbach states his argument about the negative impact of religion on society.
Foreshadowing
Feuerbach's claim in this text that the Christian conception of God is a response to human needs foreshadows Nietzsche's later argument "God is dead."
Understatement
Feuerbach understates the extent to which his arguments rely on a Christian framework.
Allusions
Feuerbach alludes to the Christian conception of God, along with traditional traits such as benevolence and omnipotence.
Imagery
Imagery is used to describe the personality of God, which he analyses throughout the book. For example, God is associated with morality and light.
Paradox
Paradoxically, in religion "truth is considered profane, and only illusion is sacred," according to Feuerbach.
Parallelism
The conceptions of God and Jesus are parallel in this text, with Feuerbach emphasizing how they each represent different qualities.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
