Your literary analysis essay will be on the novel Sula by Toni Morrison. You can choose from any of the topics listed below (recommended) or explore further topics in the chapter on Sula, in the book How to Write about Toni Morrison (linked here for your convenience). Your literary analysis should be between 2 V2 and 3 pages (600 to 750 words), not including the Works Cited page, should be double spaced in Times New Roman 12-point font and must meet the following criteria: • A clearly articulated thesis that states, somewhere in your introduction, the assertion (position, interpretation) that your paper will prove • An introduction, a minimum of 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion
• At least two quotes from the novel itself that are integrated into your discussion
• At least two citations of outside sources (such as literary criticism on the novel). At least one source should come from the MDC databases. All sources must be academic.
• Topic sentences that focus the discussion of the body paragraphs
• Examples, details, explanations in the body paragraphs that clearly support your thesis
• Clear connections between ideas from paragraph to paragraph and within paragraphs

1. Analyze the ending of the novel. What are the “circles of sorrow” that Nel experiences? Is the ending pessimistic, optimistic, or something else altogether?

 

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 Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

Title: The Circles of Sorrow: Analyzing the Ending of Toni Morrison’s Sula

Introduction

Toni Morrison’s novel Sula explores the complexities of friendship, identity, and the consequences of societal expectations. The ending of the novel presents readers with a profound portrayal of the circles of sorrow experienced by Nel, one of the central characters. This essay will delve into the layers of sorrow that Nel encounters, analyzing whether the ending is pessimistic, optimistic, or perhaps something else entirely. By examining the various dimensions of sorrow in Nel’s life, we can gain a deeper understanding of Morrison’s powerful message.

Thesis Statement

Through an examination of Nel’s experiences, it becomes clear that the ending of Sula is not purely pessimistic or optimistic but rather a combination of both, highlighting the complexity and duality of human emotions.

Body Paragraph 1: The Loss of Friendship

Nel experiences profound sorrow at the loss of her childhood friend, Sula. Sula’s death signifies the end of their deep bond, leaving Nel feeling isolated and lonely. This loss is exemplified when Morrison writes, “Nel had sent him away because she was afraid of him. Afraid of his sexuality and his freedom… Afraid she might need him” (Morrison 174). absence Sula in Nel’s life creates a void that cannot be filled anyone else. This deep sorrow demonstrates theistic aspect of the ending.

Body Paragraph 2: Unfulfilled Expectations

Nel’s sorrow extends beyond the loss of friendship to unfulfilled expectations in her own life. As a young woman, Nel conforms to societal norms and expectations, marrying and having children. However, she realizes that these experiences do not bring her the fulfillment she desires. Morrison captures Nel’s realization when she writes, “She had been looking all along for a friend, and it took her longer than she cared to admit to see that her friend was dead” (Morrison 180). Nel’s sorrow arises from the realization that she has led a life that does not align with her true desires. This aspect of sorrow provides a nuanced perspective on the ending, showcasing the conflict between societal expectations and personal fulfillment.

Body Paragraph 3: Healing and Growth

While sorrow permeates Nel’s experiences, there are also moments of healing and growth. The ending of the novel presents a glimmer of optimism as Nel reflects on her past and finds solace in self-discovery. Through her sorrow, Nel gains a deeper understanding of herself and her relationship with Sula. This growth is evident when Morrison writes, “Without ever leaving the ground, she could fly” (Morrison 174). The metaphorical flight represents Nel’s ability to transcend her sorrow and find strength within herself. This optimistic element adds complexity to the ending, suggesting that sorrow can lead to personal growth and resilience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Toni Morrison’s Sula offers a powerful portrayal of sorrow through Nel’s experiences. By examining the various dimensions of sorrow in her life, we can understand that the ending of the novel is not purely pessimistic or optimistic but rather a combination of both. The loss of friendship, unfulfilled expectations, and moments of healing and growth all contribute to the complexity and duality of human emotions. Through this exploration, readers gain insight into Morrison’s profound message about the transformative power of sorrow in shaping individual identity.

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