We have covered many forms of popular culture ranging from broadsides in the revolutionary era to today’s internet. The main objective of this course was to explore how popular culture has affected social values and created an American self-identity. For your final projects YOU will be choosing the topic. You MUST answer the following: How has your topic influenced American popular culture in the past and carried down to today?
The topic I chose is Wizard of Oz’s influence on American Literature.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Wizard of Oz: Shaping American Literature and Popular Culture
Introduction
The Wizard of Oz, a timeless classic in American literature, has had a profound impact on shaping not only the literary landscape but also popular culture in the United States. Written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, this iconic tale continues to resonate with audiences of all ages and has left an indelible mark on American society. This essay delves into how the Wizard of Oz has influenced American popular culture in the past and how its legacy lives on today.
Thesis Statement
The Wizard of Oz has played a pivotal role in shaping American literature and popular culture through its timeless themes, memorable characters, and enduring legacy that continues to captivate audiences across generations.
Historical Influence
The Wizard of Oz was first published in 1900 during a time of great social and cultural change in the United States. The story’s themes of courage, friendship, and self-discovery resonated with readers, offering a sense of hope and escapism during tumultuous times. As the book gained popularity, it was adapted into a successful stage play and later a beloved film in 1939, solidifying its place in American popular culture.
Cultural Impact
The Wizard of Oz’s influence on American literature can be seen in its enduring popularity and widespread adaptations in various forms of media. From sequels and spin-offs to modern reimaginings, the story’s characters and motifs have been reinterpreted and reinvented time and again. The iconic ruby slippers, yellow brick road, and Emerald City have become symbols ingrained in popular culture, recognized by audiences worldwide.
Contemporary Relevance
Even decades after its initial publication, the Wizard of Oz continues to inspire writers, filmmakers, and artists. Its themes of resilience, empowerment, and the journey towards self-discovery remain relevant in today’s society. The story’s messages of courage in the face of adversity and the power of believing in oneself continue to resonate with audiences, making it a timeless classic that transcends generations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Wizard of Oz’s influence on American literature and popular culture is undeniable. Through its timeless themes, memorable characters, and enduring legacy, it has shaped the way we perceive storytelling and self-identity in the United States. From its humble beginnings as a children’s book to its status as a cultural phenomenon, the Wizard of Oz continues to enchant audiences and inspire creativity, solidifying its place as a beloved classic in American literary history.
