Topic 1: Far from existing solely as a means of escaping reality, it is without question that the horror film may also operate as both a reflection, and commentary upon, very real social and political conditions or tensions. In a well-developed essay, being sure to focus on key scenes and to discuss elements of filmmaking, explore a specific horror film, horror film franchise, or sub-genre of horror film and its relationship to a specific category of identity, philosophical problem, or social/political issue. Some possible areas of discussion for this topic might include:
• Nineties “Race Horror” and the Failures/Successes of Multiculturalism or Affirmative Action
• Gender/Sexuality in the Slasher Film- scream franchise
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
Title: Unmasking Gender and Sexuality in the “Scream” Franchise
The horror genre has long served as a platform for exploring and reflecting real-world social and cultural issues. The “Scream” franchise, created by Wes Craven, offers a compelling lens through which to examine the portrayal of gender and sexuality in the context of the slasher film sub-genre. By delving into key scenes and analyzing elements of filmmaking, this essay will explore how the “Scream” series confronts and subverts traditional gender roles, while also addressing societal attitudes towards sexuality and empowerment.
The “Scream” franchise, known for its self-aware and meta-commentary approach to horror conventions, presents a unique portrayal of gender and sexuality. In the first film, the character of Sidney Prescott emerges as a central figure who defies the passive female victim trope commonly seen in traditional slasher films. Through her resourcefulness, resilience, and agency, Sidney challenges gender stereotypes and embodies a more empowered and proactive female protagonist.
Moreover, the films explore the complexities of female friendships and rivalries, highlighting the ways in which societal expectations and pressures can affect women’s relationships. The character dynamics between Sidney, her best friend Tatum, and the enigmatic antagonist reveal underlying tensions related to jealousy, betrayal, and the struggle for agency within a male-dominated narrative.
The “Scream” franchise also engages with issues of sexuality and sexual agency, particularly through the character of Randy Meeks, a film enthusiast who provides meta-commentary on genre conventions. In one memorable scene, Randy discusses the “rules” of surviving a horror film, which includes avoiding sexual activity as it often leads to imminent demise. This self-aware critique of the genre reflects societal attitudes towards sexuality and morality, as well as the dichotomy between sexual liberation and punishment in horror narratives.
Furthermore, the character of Billy Loomis serves as a manifestation of toxic masculinity, challenging traditional notions of male heroism and romantic pursuit. His manipulation and gaslighting tactics towards Sidney highlight the darker side of male entitlement and the dangers of unchecked male privilege within romantic relationships.
In terms of filmmaking, the “Scream” franchise employs clever subversions of horror tropes and conventions to deconstruct gender and sexuality dynamics. The use of suspenseful build-ups, unexpected plot twists, and subversive character developments allows the films to engage with issues of identity, power dynamics, and social expectations in a thought-provoking manner.
In conclusion, the “Scream” franchise stands as an example of how the horror genre can serve as a vehicle for critiquing and challenging societal norms related to gender and sexuality. Through its portrayal of complex female characters, examination of sexual agency, and deconstruction of traditional gender roles, the series offers a nuanced exploration of these themes within the framework of the slasher film sub-genre. By engaging with real-world social and cultural issues, “Scream” transcends its genre trappings to deliver meaningful commentary on identity, empowerment, and the complexities of human relationships.
