Each year at University Convocation, our incoming class engages in reflective dialogue with the author of a common text. What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read and why would this be an important shared text?
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: The Power of Empathy: Recommending “Educated” by Tara Westover as a Common Text for Incoming University Students
Introduction:
Selecting a common text for incoming university students is an opportunity to foster a sense of community, critical thinking, and empathy. In this regard, I would highly recommend “Educated” by Tara Westover as a shared text. This memoir not only captivates readers with its powerful narrative but also encourages reflection on the themes of education, personal growth, and the power of one’s own story.
Thesis Statement:
“Educated” by Tara Westover would be an important shared text for incoming university students, as it invites readers to contemplate the transformative power of education, challenges preconceived notions, and highlights the importance of resilience and self-discovery in one’s journey towards personal growth.
Body:
The Transformative Power of Education:
“Educated” chronicles Westover’s journey from a childhood marked by isolation and abuse in rural Idaho to her pursuit of education at prestigious universities. This memoir serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of education and how it can empower individuals to break free from societal constraints and shape their own destinies.
Challenging Preconceived Notions:
Westover’s memoir challenges readers to question preconceived notions about identity, family, and the world. Through her experiences, readers are confronted with the idea that our beliefs and understandings can be heavily influenced by our upbringing and the environments in which we grow up. This encourages critical thinking and the exploration of perspectives beyond one’s own.
The Importance of Resilience and Self-Discovery:
The journey depicted in “Educated” highlights the significance of resilience and self-discovery in overcoming adversity. Westover’s determination to seek knowledge and forge her own path serves as an inspiring example for students embarking on their university journey. It encourages them to navigate challenges, embrace personal growth, and find their true passions and values.
Empathy and Understanding:
Reading “Educated” cultivates empathy and understanding among incoming university students. Westover’s memoir invites readers into her world, allowing them to witness her struggles, triumphs, and moments of vulnerability. Through this shared experience, students can develop a deeper sense of empathy towards others who have faced adversity or come from different backgrounds.
Relevance to University Life:
“Educated” resonates with the experiences of university students, who are often in the process of discovering their own identities and passions while navigating new academic and social environments. Westover’s narrative serves as a reminder that education is not solely confined to the classroom but encompasses personal growth, self-reflection, and the quest for knowledge.
Conclusion:
“Educated” by Tara Westover is an ideal choice for a common text for incoming university students. This memoir not only captivates readers with its compelling storytelling but also prompts critical thinking, empathy, and self-reflection. By exploring themes of education, personal growth, and resilience, “Educated” serves as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue among students as they embark on their own transformative journeys at university. It fosters a sense of community, encourages empathy, and reminds students of the power they hold in shaping their own futures.
