The synopsis of “Greenwood, Bryn. 2017. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel.” should demonstrate an understanding of the main argument/contribution of the book and should connect the reading to the attached presentation slides. How does the book advance your sociological thinking? How does this book challenge our assumptions of what youth is/should be? How does it reinforce them?
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
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Youth and Societal Assumptions
Introduction
In her novel “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things,” Bryn Greenwood takes readers on a profound journey that challenges our assumptions about youth while pushing the boundaries of societal norms. This captivating story delves into complex themes of love, resilience, and the consequences of societal judgments. By exploring the unconventional relationship between two characters, Greenwood raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of youth and the impact of societal expectations.
Challenging Assumptions of Youth
Greenwood’s novel challenges our preconceived notions of what youth is or should be. Through the character of Wavy, a young girl growing up in a dysfunctional environment, readers are confronted with the harsh reality that not all children have the luxury of a conventional childhood. Wavy’s traumatic experiences prompt her to develop a maturity far beyond her years, challenging the traditional understanding of childhood innocence.
The author invites readers to question the rigid constructs society places on youth. Wavy’s unconventional relationship with Kellen, a much older man, forces us to confront our own biases and reevaluate what we deem acceptable in terms of age and relationships. By portraying Wavy as a multidimensional character with agency and complexity, Greenwood challenges the assumption that youth are incapable of making informed decisions about their own lives.
Reinforcing Societal Assumptions
While “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” challenges many assumptions about youth, it also reinforces certain societal expectations. The novel highlights the damaging effects of judgment and prejudice on individuals who do not conform to societal norms. Wavy and Kellen’s relationship is met with strong opposition and condemnation from their community, reflecting the narrow-mindedness that often prevails in society.
Greenwood also portrays the consequences of societal pressure on youth and their struggle to conform. Wavy’s mother, Val, embodies the societal expectation of being a responsible parent and maintaining a certain appearance. Her actions and choices reflect the pressure she feels to fit into society’s mold, despite the detrimental impact it has on her daughter’s well-being.
Advancing Sociological Thinking
Through its exploration of youth and societal assumptions, “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” advances sociological thinking by challenging our understanding of childhood, relationships, and societal norms.
The novel prompts us to examine how external judgments shape our perceptions and treatment of individuals who deviate from societal expectations. It forces us to confront our biases and reflect on how these biases can perpetuate injustice in our communities.
Moreover, “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” sheds light on the complexities of human relationships and the power dynamics that exist within them. By exploring the unconventional relationship between Wavy and Kellen, Greenwood encourages readers to critically analyze the boundaries of consent, agency, and power dynamics within relationships.
In conclusion, “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” is a thought-provoking novel that challenges our assumptions about youth while reinforcing the damaging effects of societal judgment. By examining the unconventional relationship between Wavy and Kellen, Greenwood prompts us to question our biases and reevaluate our understanding of age, consent, and societal expectations. This novel serves as a catalyst for advancing sociological thinking by shedding light on the complexities of human relationships and the impact of societal norms on individuals.
