What does Emerson emphasize in his essay and Langston Hughes in his poem? How can you connect or relate these 2 assigned readings to today’s society? Has anything changed since the time these essays and poems were written? Based on what you have read, why is it important to share these character traits in Emerson’s essay or address Hughes’s concerns? Include the things you have learned from a Guide to Rhetoric and from the assigned readings. Also, make sure to give your point of view as well. Please be sure to use examples to illustrate your point of view and/or make connections to what you have read.
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
Connecting Emerson’s Essay and Langston Hughes’s Poem to Today’s Society
Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay “Self-Reliance,” emphasizes the importance of individualism, self-trust, and nonconformity. He encourages readers to trust their instincts, embrace their unique qualities, and resist societal pressures to conform. On the other hand, Langston Hughes, in his poem “Harlem,” explores the deferred dreams and aspirations of African Americans in the face of systemic racism and oppression.
In today’s society, Emerson’s emphasis on self-reliance and nonconformity remains relevant as individuals navigate a world shaped by social media, consumerism, and conformity. The pressure to fit in, meet societal expectations, and seek external validation can hinder personal growth and authenticity. By embracing Emerson’s principles of self-reliance and individualism, individuals can cultivate a sense of empowerment and confidence in expressing their true selves.
Similarly, Hughes’s concerns about deferred dreams and the impact of systemic racism resonate in contemporary society. Despite progress in civil rights and equality, racial disparities persist in areas such as education, employment, healthcare, and criminal justice. The legacy of historical injustices continues to shape the experiences of marginalized communities, highlighting the ongoing need for social justice reform and anti-racist initiatives.
Since the time these essays and poems were written, some progress has been made in addressing issues of individualism, self-reliance, racial inequality, and social justice. However, systemic barriers and prejudices still exist, underscoring the importance of sharing Emerson’s character traits of self-reliance and addressing Hughes’s concerns about racial injustice.
Emerson’s call for self-reliance encourages individuals to trust their inner wisdom, pursue their passions, and assert their independence in a society that often values conformity over individuality. By embodying self-reliance, individuals can resist external influences that may compromise their values and authenticity.
Addressing Hughes’s concerns about racial inequality requires acknowledging and dismantling systems of oppression that perpetuate discrimination and marginalization. It is essential to amplify marginalized voices, advocate for equity and justice, and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
In conclusion, the themes of self-reliance and social justice explored by Emerson and Hughes offer valuable insights into navigating today’s complex societal landscape. By embracing individualism, advocating for equity, and challenging systemic injustices, individuals can contribute to a more compassionate, inclusive, and just society. Sharing these character traits from Emerson’s essay and addressing Hughes’s concerns are essential steps towards fostering personal growth, social change, and collective well-being in contemporary society.
