The affordances and challenges faced by women and Indigenous Australians on Dating applications
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 Affordances and Challenges Faced by Women and Indigenous Australians on Dating Applications
Dating applications have become increasingly popular in modern society, providing individuals with a
convenient platform to meet potential partners. However, it is important to recognize that the
experiences of different groups on these apps can vary significantly. In this essay, we will explore the
specific affordances and challenges faced by women and Indigenous Australians on dating applications,
shedding light on the unique dynamics at play.
Affordances for Women
1. Increased Control and Agency
Dating applications offer women a sense of agency and control over their dating lives. They have the
power to initiate conversations, set preferences, and choose potential matches. This increased agency
allows women to assert their preferences and actively participate in the dating process.
2. Expanded Social Circles
Dating apps provide women with the opportunity to expand their social circles, connect with like-minded
individuals, and explore different dating options. This can be particularly beneficial for those who may
not have a wide network of potential partners in their immediate surroundings.
3. Enhanced Safety Features
Many dating apps have implemented safety features such as profile verification, reporting mechanisms,
and privacy settings. These features aim to create a safer environment for women, reducing the risk of
encountering harassment or unwanted advances.
Challenges for Women
1. Online Harassment and Unsolicited Messages
Unfortunately, women often face online harassment and receive unsolicited messages on dating
applications. This can create an uncomfortable and unsafe environment, leading to frustration and
disillusionment with the platform. The anonymity provided by online interactions sometimes emboldens
individuals to engage in inappropriate behavior.
2. Objectification and Superficiality
Dating apps can sometimes perpetuate a culture of objectification and superficial judgments based on
physical appearance. This can lead to women feeling reduced to their looks rather than being valued for
their personality or other qualities. Such objectification can undermine genuine connections and
contribute to a shallow dating experience.
Affordances for Indigenous Australians
1. Accessible Platform for Community Building
For Indigenous Australians, dating applications can provide a platform to connect with other Indigenous
individuals and build a sense of community. These platforms can help overcome geographical barriers,
enabling individuals from different regions to connect and share their experiences.
2. Opportunity for Cultural Expression
Dating apps allow Indigenous Australians to express and celebrate their cultural identity. They can
showcase their heritage, traditions, and values, fostering connections with individuals who appreciate
and respect Indigenous culture.
Challenges for Indigenous Australians
1. Cultural Misunderstandings and Stereotyping
Indigenous Australians may face challenges due to cultural misunderstandings or stereotypes
perpetuated by mainstream society. These biases can manifest in interactions on dating apps, potentially
leading to miscommunication or a lack of understanding.
2. Limited Representation and Exclusion
Dating applications may have limited representation of Indigenous Australians, leading to feelings of
exclusion or marginalization. This lack of representation can impact the overall experience of Indigenous
individuals on these platforms, making it more challenging to find compatible partners who understand
their unique cultural background.
In conclusion, while dating applications offer certain affordances for women and Indigenous Australians,
they also present specific challenges. Women benefit from increased agency and expanded social circles
but face issues such as online harassment and objectification. For Indigenous Australians, these
platforms provide opportunities for community building and cultural expression but can also perpetuate
stereotypes and lack representation. Recognizing these dynamics is crucial for creating inclusive and safe
spaces within dating applications that cater to the diverse needs and experiences of all users.
