Assess the role of foreign intervention in the making of modern Haiti
Evaluate the role of creolization/hybridity in the making of Haitian society and culture
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 Role of Foreign Intervention in the Making of Modern Haiti
Foreign intervention has played a significant role in shaping the history, politics, and socio-economic conditions of modern Haiti. From its early colonial period to the present day, Haiti has experienced interference and influence from various foreign powers. These interventions have had both positive and negative impacts on the country’s development. Let’s assess the role of foreign intervention in the making of modern Haiti.
Colonial Era: Haiti was colonized by the French in the 17th century and was known as Saint-Domingue. The French colonial rule was characterized by brutal slavery and exploitation of African slaves. The plantation economy, based on sugar and coffee production, led to immense wealth for the French empire but at the cost of human suffering. This period of colonization laid the foundation for Haiti’s complex social and racial dynamics.
Haitian Revolution: The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was a turning point in Haiti’s history and the only successful slave revolt in history. This revolution was fueled by the desire for freedom and equality among the enslaved population. While it was primarily a grassroots movement led by enslaved Africans, foreign intervention played a crucial role. The revolutionaries received support from Britain, Spain, and later, France’s rival, Napoleon’s France. This support helped the Haitian revolutionaries gain an upper hand against the French colonial forces.
U.S. Occupation: In 1915, the United States intervened militarily in Haiti and occupied the country for nearly two decades until 1934. The U.S. occupation aimed to maintain political stability, protect American economic interests, and establish control over Haiti’s finances. While there were some positive aspects such as infrastructure development and improvements in public health, the occupation also led to political repression and economic exploitation.
Economic Influence: Foreign powers, particularly the United States, have exerted economic influence over Haiti throughout its history. This influence has often perpetuated a cycle of economic dependency and hindered Haiti’s development. International loans, trade agreements, and foreign aid have sometimes come with conditions that benefit external interests more than the Haitian people.
Political Interference: Foreign powers have often interfered in Haiti’s political affairs, supporting certain leaders or factions to serve their own interests. This interference has contributed to political instability, corruption, and challenges in building a strong democratic system.
Humanitarian Interventions: In times of crisis, such as natural disasters or political turmoil, foreign countries and international organizations have provided aid and assistance to Haiti. While this assistance has been crucial in providing relief and support, it has also raised concerns about dependency and long-term sustainability.
In summary, foreign intervention has played a complex role in the making of modern Haiti. While some interventions have provided support during critical times and contributed to positive changes, others have perpetuated inequality, political instability, and economic dependency. It is essential for future interventions to prioritize Haitian agency and long-term sustainable development, respecting Haiti’s sovereignty and supporting initiatives that empower its people.
The Role of Creolization/Hybridity in the Making of Haitian Society and Culture
Creolization, or the process of cultural blending and hybridity, has played a fundamental role in shaping Haitian society and culture. Haiti’s unique history as the first independent black republic in the Americas has contributed to a rich tapestry of cultural influences from African, European, and indigenous sources. Let’s evaluate the role of creolization/hybridity in the making of Haitian society and culture.
African Heritage: The majority of Haitians are descendants of African slaves brought to the island during the colonial era. African cultural elements have profoundly influenced Haitian society and culture, including religious practices such as Vodou (Voodoo), music (such as drumming), dance (like Yanvalou and Banda), oral traditions, folklore, and cuisine. African languages and linguistic patterns have also influenced Haitian Creole, which is widely spoken.
European Influence: European colonial powers, particularly France, left their imprint on Haitian society through language (French as an official language), religion (Catholicism), legal systems, architectural styles, culinary practices (French cuisine), and social hierarchies. The blending of African and European cultural elements gave rise to a unique Haitian identity.
Indigenous Roots: Before European colonization, indigenous Taíno people inhabited the island of Hispaniola (shared by present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Although their population drastically declined during colonization, traces of indigenous culture can still be found in Haitian society through language (place names), folklore, agricultural practices, and spiritual beliefs.
Religious Syncretism: Vodou (Voodoo), a syncretic religion blending African spirituality with Catholicism, is deeply ingrained in Haitian culture. Vodou rituals and ceremonies incorporate elements from both African traditions (ancestor veneration, spirit possession) and Catholic practices (saints as loa). This religious syncretism reflects the blending of different cultural influences in Haitian society.
Artistic Expression: Creolization has greatly influenced Haitian art forms such as painting, sculpture, music, literature, and dance. Artists often draw inspiration from diverse cultural sources, combining traditional African motifs with European techniques or expressing their unique experiences of being part of a creole culture.
Culinary Traditions: Haitian cuisine is a fusion of African, European, and indigenous ingredients and cooking methods. Dishes like griot (marinated pork), diri ak djon djon (rice with black mushrooms), and soup joumou (pumpkin soup) reflect this creolized culinary heritage.
Creolization/hybridity has created a vibrant and dynamic Haitian society that celebrates diversity while forging a shared national identity. It has allowed for the preservation of African cultural elements while incorporating new influences from European and indigenous sources. This cultural fusion has been instrumental in shaping Haitian art, music, religion, language, cuisine, and overall societal fabric.
In conclusion, creolization/hybridity has played a vital role in the making of Haitian society and culture. It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Haitian people who have embraced diverse influences while maintaining a distinct identity rooted in their African heritage. Understanding and appreciating this creolized culture is essential for appreciating Haiti’s rich history and contributing to its ongoing development.
