Write a paper with narration on your approved topic chosen in week 3 of the course.
Topic: Sexualization of women in music
The paper needs to be 5 – 7 pages in length. Page count does not include a cover page or bibliography.
The paper should be double-spaced with size 12 font.
This does not include the cover page or bibliography.
Use caution when paraphrasing and be sure to use parenthetic citations showing where the information was gathered.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Check the course calendar for the due date.
Your project should include the following:
Cover Page – which should contain a paper title, your name, date, and course information
Thesis statement – found in your opening paragraph
Closing paragraph – giving a summation of the information presented and your own conclusions.
Parenthetic citations (author, pg) within your paper and a full list of resources at its conclusion. A good rule of thumb to follow is one resource per page. So, if you have a 7-page paper, you should have a minimum of 7 resources on your “Works Cited” page.
Information from your texts must be included in your paper and properly cited.
Wikipedia is not an acceptable website and should not be referenced in this paper. Information on this site is not always accurate as anyone may post there.
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
Sexualization of Women in Music
Introduction
The sexualization of women in music has been a prevalent issue for decades. The music industry has often used female artists as objects of desire, focusing on their physical appearance rather than their talent or message. This paper will examine the causes and effects of the sexualization of women in music, as well as the implications it has on society. By exploring the history of this issue and analyzing specific case studies, it becomes clear that the sexualization of women in music perpetuates harmful stereotypes, reinforces gender inequality, and has a negative impact on young girls and women.
Historical Background
The sexualization of women in music can be traced back to the early 20th century with the emergence of genres such as jazz and blues. Female artists like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey were often portrayed as seductive and provocative, using their sexuality as a means to gain attention and popularity. This trend continued with the rise of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s, where artists like Elvis Presley and Little Richard were celebrated for their sexual charisma. However, it was predominantly female artists who faced objectification and exploitation.
Causes of Sexualization
There are several factors that contribute to the sexualization of women in music. Firstly, the male-dominated music industry perpetuates the idea that female artists need to conform to specific beauty standards in order to succeed. Record labels and producers often prioritize looks over talent, leading to a focus on provocative imagery and sexualized performances. Additionally, the influence of media and popular culture plays a significant role. Music videos, magazine covers, and social media platforms often showcase hyper-sexualized images of women, creating unrealistic ideals and setting harmful standards for young girls.
Effects on Women
The sexualization of women in music has profound effects on both the artists themselves and society as a whole. Female artists are often pressured to conform to these standards in order to gain success and maintain relevance in the industry. This can lead to feelings of insecurity, body dysmorphia, and mental health issues. Furthermore, the objectification of women in music perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces gender inequality. It sends the message that a woman’s value lies solely in her physical appearance, rather than her talent or intellect.
Impact on Society
The sexualization of women in music has a significant impact on society, particularly on young girls and women. Exposure to hyper-sexualized images and lyrics can contribute to the normalization of objectification and unhealthy relationships. It also perpetuates the notion that women exist solely for male pleasure, reinforcing harmful gender dynamics. Studies have shown that exposure to sexualized media can negatively affect body image, self-esteem, and overall well-being among young girls. It is crucial to recognize and challenge these damaging representations in order to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Conclusion
The sexualization of women in music is a complex issue that has deep-rooted historical origins and wide-ranging consequences. It perpetuates harmful stereotypes, reinforces gender inequality, and has a negative impact on young girls and women. It is essential for both the music industry and society as a whole to challenge these norms and promote a more inclusive and empowering environment for female artists. By prioritizing talent over appearance and promoting diverse representations, we can move towards a future where women are valued for their abilities rather than objectified for their bodies.
Works Cited
Dines, Gail. “Pornland: How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality.” Beacon Press, 2010.
Kilbourne, Jean. “Can’t Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel.” Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Presser, Lois. “Sexual Harassment in the Music Industry: A Call to Action.” Music Educators Journal, vol. 103, no. 1, 2016, pp. 39-46.
Tasker, Yvonne. “Spectacular Bodies: Gender, Genre and the Action Heroine.” Routledge, 2014.
Tolman, Deborah L., and Lisa M. Diamond. “Desire in Context: The Social Construction of Female Adolescent Sexual Desire.” New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, vol. 2016, no. 154, 2016, pp. 39-51.
Weitzer, Ronald, and Charis E. Kubrin. “Misogyny in Rap Music: A Content Analysis of Prevalence and Meanings.” Men and Masculinities, vol. 12, no. 1, 2009, pp. 3-29.
