The question is; To what extent do these influences become part of their work and how authors communicate their feelings/beliefs about the world around them.
For the research project choose one short story (poem, speeches, and plays are NOT short stories) that we have read this semester and think about how the characters, setting, and themes in the story/drama relate to the period in which it was written.
In an essay of 5 pages discuss how the short story is an analysis and representation of the social, economic, and cultural values of that time period? Note the first should include your name and the references on another page.
How is it a reflection and how is it a criticism?
Also discuss how the writer makes opinions about that world clear to the reader?
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
Analyzing Social, Economic, and Cultural Values Through Short Stories
By: [Your Name]
Introduction
Literature serves as a reflection of society, capturing the essence of the time in which it was written. In this essay, we will delve into a short story from this semester’s readings and explore how its characters, setting, and themes mirror the social, economic, and cultural values of the period in which it was crafted. We will analyze how the narrative acts as both a representation and a critique of the world it portrays, and examine how the author effectively communicates their opinions to the reader.
Selected Short Story: [Title of the Short Story]
Context
– Brief overview of the historical period in which the short story was written.
– Introduction to the author and their background.
Characters
– Analysis of the main characters and their roles in reflecting societal norms.
– Discussion on how character interactions reveal social hierarchies and values.
Setting
– Exploration of the story’s setting and its significance in portraying the era.
– How does the physical environment contribute to the narrative’s thematic elements?
Themes
– Identification of key themes in the short story.
– How do these themes shed light on societal issues and cultural norms of the time?
Representation of Social, Economic, and Cultural Values
Social Values
– Discussion on how societal norms and behaviors are depicted.
– Examples from the story that illustrate social structures and expectations.
Economic Values
– Examination of economic disparities and struggles presented in the narrative.
– How do economic factors influence character motivations and actions?
Cultural Values
– Analysis of cultural beliefs, traditions, and practices portrayed in the story.
– Significance of cultural values in shaping character identities.
Reflection and Critique
Reflection
– Explanation of how the short story acts as a reflection of the time period.
– Instances where the narrative mirrors real-world events and social dynamics.
Critique
– Evaluation of how the story criticizes certain aspects of society.
– Areas where the author challenges societal norms or practices through the narrative.
Communicating Opinions to the Reader
Author’s Voice
– Examination of the author’s narrative style and voice.
– How does the author use language and tone to convey their opinions?
Symbolism and Allegory
– Analysis of symbolic elements used in the story to communicate deeper meanings.
– Interpretation of allegorical references that reflect the author’s beliefs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, [Title of the Short Story] serves as a powerful lens through which we can analyze and understand the social, economic, and cultural values of its time. By delving into its characters, setting, themes, and underlying messages, we gain insight into the period in which it was written and the author’s perspectives on the world around them.
References
Include a list of all sources cited in APA format on a separate page.
Through this analysis, we not only appreciate the literary merit of the short story but also uncover layers of meaning that offer valuable insights into the historical context and societal critiques embedded within its narrative.
