ENGL 200 D: Reading Literature: Literature in the Marketplace

1. Look up “sentiment” in the dictionary (even if you’re sure you know the answer). Look up “moral,” as well. Based on the definitions, and the excerpts that you read from Adam Smith, what are “moral sentiments?” And why would they be important in economic activity?

2. In the excerpt that you’re reading, Smith is not, for the most part, focused on traditional money, but on a different sort of quality. What would you call this quality? And how do you see it flowing?

2. Much of the Theory of Moral Sentiments is focused on what it takes to be successful. In your own words, what are three pieces of advice that Adam Smith might give people today? (Be prepared to cite evidence from the text to back up what you say!)

3. What are the risks that people who are considered “great” face?

4. Pay particular attention to paragraph I.III.20. What must the man of inferior rank do to distinguish himself, according to Smith? And according to your reading of other paragraphs in this section, why will Smith’s strategy succeed, or fail?

5. Based on what you have read from this section of the Theory of Moral Sentiments, how would you describe Smith’s world in terms of equality or inequality? (Is it very equal and fair for everyone? Highly discriminatory/non-equal? Equal in regards to somethings and not in others?) Be ready to give specific answers.