Fantasy Theme Analysis in the Interplay of Charles M. Sheldon's In His Steps and his Jesus Newspaper

Abstract

This article applies fantasy theme analysis to explore the remarkable work of the Reverend Dr. Charles M. Sheldon, a Congregationalist minister. Fantasy theme analysis is used to examine the rhetorical vision that emerges from Sheldon's work. In 1897 Sheldon published In His Steps, a best-selling novel, and gained international recognition. This novel depicted ordinary people who were inspired to make decisions by asking themselves "What would Jesus do?" In the novel, a newspaper editor applied the question to his business and altered his advertising and editorial policies to conform to standards he believed Jesus would practice. In 1900 Sheldon was invited to become that fictional newspaper editor in person and lead a daily newspaper from March 13 to March 17, 1900. This research examines the way Sheldon's approach to journalism formed a web of meaning for his audience that led to a shared worldview. Using the "What would Jesus do?" question, Sheldon created a rhetorical vision for his readers. The fictional world described in the novel was reproduced in real life as Sheldon's rhetorical vision spread through his work in the daily newspaper. The rhetorical vision suggested in Sheldon's newspaper work is a middle-class haven where no one drinks alcohol, and wealth is not hoarded. According to the rhetorical vision, the "What would Jesus do?" question provides a wide variety of answers to life's complex questions.