Write a paper in which you engage in a thorough interpretation of a theme or idea listed in the topic ideas given below.
Pick the banned book—“Monster” by Walter Dean Myers. Once you’ve chosen the book, read it and analyze it for the following;
a. Theme
b. Imagery
c. Symbolism
d. Life lesson taught in the work.
e. Finally, I want to know why “experts” believed the book should be banned. Use research to support your findings.
The e key to this assignment is developing an original thesis statement regarding your
choice. Make sure to structure your paper with a series of topic sentences that directly connect back to this thesis statement. Then use your own textual analysis as well as
research (i.e. literary criticism) to investigate and ultimately “prove” your thesis.
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 Theme of Injustice and Stereotyping in “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers
Thesis Statement: “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers explores the theme of injustice and stereotyping through its use of imagery, symbolism, and powerful storytelling. Despite being banned in some educational institutions, the novel provides a valuable life lesson by highlighting the consequences of prejudice and the importance of empathy and understanding.
Introduction
“Monster” by Walter Dean Myers is a thought-provoking young adult novel that addresses important themes surrounding injustice and stereotyping. The story follows sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon, an aspiring filmmaker who finds himself on trial for his alleged involvement in a robbery-turned-murder. Through the use of imagery, symbolism, and a strong narrative, Myers effectively portrays the impact of prejudice and challenges readers to critically examine their own biases. While the book has faced criticism and has been banned in certain educational settings, it serves as a powerful tool for teaching valuable life lessons.
Theme: Injustice and Stereotyping
The central theme of “Monster” revolves around the presence of injustice and stereotyping within society. Throughout the novel, Steve Harmon faces prejudice from both the legal system and society due to his race and alleged involvement in a crime. The author uses vivid imagery to depict the courtroom as a place where individuals are judged based on preconceived notions rather than evidence. For instance, Myers describes the prosecutor’s tactics as manipulative and emphasizes how the jury’s perception of Steve is influenced by racial stereotypes.
Imagery: Depicting Injustice
Myers employs powerful imagery to illustrate the presence of injustice in “Monster.” One striking example is the use of a journal format interspersed with screenplay-like scenes. This format allows readers to experience Steve’s perspective and witness his struggle against racial bias firsthand. By juxtaposing Steve’s journal entries with the courtroom scenes, the author highlights the stark contrast between his internal thoughts and the external perception of him as a “monster.”
Symbolism: Challenging Stereotypes
The novel also employs symbolism to challenge stereotypes and confront readers with their own biases. The character of James King, a fellow defendant, serves as a symbol of society’s tendency to judge individuals based on their appearance or circumstances. Despite being involved in the crime, King is portrayed as a more sympathetic character due to his affluent background. This juxtaposition forces readers to question why certain individuals are automatically labeled as “monsters” while others are given more leniency.
Life Lesson: Consequences of Prejudice
“Monster” teaches an important life lesson about the consequences of prejudice. Through Steve’s experiences, readers come to understand that unfair judgment can have profound effects on a person’s identity and future. The novel emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding, challenging readers to question their own biases and preconceived notions.
Banning Controversy: Misunderstanding and Fear
Despite its powerful message, “Monster” has faced banning in some educational institutions. Experts who argue for its ban often claim that the book contains explicit language and addresses sensitive themes such as violence and drug use. However, these arguments fail to acknowledge the book’s educational value in promoting critical thinking and fostering discussions about prejudice and social justice. By banning “Monster,” critics miss an opportunity to address important issues that young readers may face in their own lives.
Conclusion
“Monster” by Walter Dean Myers explores the theme of injustice and stereotyping through its use of imagery, symbolism, and storytelling. The novel provides a valuable life lesson by highlighting the consequences of prejudice and emphasizing the importance of empathy. Despite facing banning in some educational settings, “Monster” offers an opportunity for young readers to critically engage with complex themes and encourages them to challenge their own biases. By reading and discussing this banned book, students can develop a deeper understanding of social justice issues and contribute to creating a more inclusive society.
