Write a 7 pages essay on “Women solidarity in Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child”
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
Women Solidarity in Toni Morrison’s “God Help the Child”
Introduction:
Toni Morrison’s novel, “God Help the Child,” delves into the complexities of race, identity, and mother-daughter relationships. Within the narrative, Morrison highlights the theme of women solidarity, exploring how women support and empower each other in a society that often marginalizes and oppresses them. Through the characters of Sweetness, Lula Ann/Bride, Sofia, and Queen, Morrison portrays the strength and resilience of women who navigate the challenges of racism, colorism, and societal expectations. This essay will examine the theme of women solidarity in “God Help the Child” and analyze how Morrison portrays the power of female bonds.
The Burden of Colorism and Mother-Daughter Relationships:
Morrison introduces the character of Sweetness, Bride’s mother, who embodies the internalized racism and colorism prevalent in society. As a light-skinned Black woman, Sweetness disowns her daughter because of her dark skin. However, as the narrative unfolds, we witness a shift in Sweetness’ perspective. In her interactions with Sofia and Queen, Sweetness begins to recognize the importance of unity among women. This transformation signifies the first step towards women solidarity.
The Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing:
Bride, the novel’s protagonist, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Through her encounters with other women, she learns to embrace her identity and find strength in her vulnerability. Sofia, a confident and resilient woman, becomes Bride’s mentor and source of empowerment. Sofia challenges societal norms and encourages Bride to reclaim her agency and self-worth. Their bond demonstrates the transformative power of women supporting each other in overcoming trauma and reclaiming their identities.
Challenging Patriarchal Structures through Female Solidarity:
Morrison also explores how women solidarity challenges patriarchal structures that perpetuate oppression and subjugation. Queen, a strong-willed and independent woman, becomes a symbol of resistance against male dominance. Through her friendship with Bride, Queen encourages her to reject societal expectations and assert her autonomy. Their relationship highlights the importance of female mentorship in dismantling patriarchal norms and fostering empowerment.
Collective Healing through Intergenerational Bonds:
Intergenerational bonds between women play a significant role in promoting healing and resilience. Morrison portrays this through various characters like Queen and Sweetness, who offer guidance and support to Bride. The interplay between different generations of women serves as a source of strength and wisdom, enabling each character to confront their past traumas and move towards healing.
The Power of Women’s Voices:
Throughout the novel, Morrison emphasizes the power of women’s voices in challenging injustice and fostering change. Bride’s journey towards self-acceptance is intertwined with her ability to speak her truth and confront her past. The solidarity between women amplifies their voices, creating a sense of community that challenges societal
