Use BOTH articles below and apply the theory of double-consciousness to the trans experience; where a trans person has to deal with transphobia and discrimination in a society that looks upon them with “amused contempt and pity” –where her “dogged strength alone keeps her from being torn asunder”.Make the association between DuBois’ theory of Double Consciousness and the Trans Stories you read below. https://www.gq.com/story/ceyenne-doroshow-glits-founder-profile https://www.teenvogue.com/story/black-trans-lives-matter-march-ceyenne-doroshow
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: Double Consciousness in the Trans Experience: An Analysis of Ceyenne Doroshow’s Story
Introduction
In society, individuals who identify as transgender often navigate a landscape fraught with discrimination, marginalization, and prejudice. W.E.B. Du Bois’ concept of double consciousness, which describes the internal conflict experienced by African Americans as they navigate their identity in a society that views them through a lens of contempt and pity, can also be applied to the trans experience. Through an analysis of Ceyenne Doroshow’s story as portrayed in articles from GQ and Teen Vogue, we can see how the theory of double consciousness illuminates the challenges faced by transgender individuals as they strive to assert their identities in the face of societal prejudices.
Double Consciousness and the Trans Experience
Du Bois’ theory of double consciousness posits that individuals from marginalized groups develop a dual awareness of themselves as seen through their own eyes and through the eyes of society. This duality often leads to feelings of conflict, alienation, and self-doubt. For transgender individuals like Ceyenne Doroshow, this dual awareness is magnified as they grapple not only with their own sense of identity but also with the external judgments and prejudices of a society that often views them with contempt and pity.
In the article from GQ, we learn about Doroshow’s experiences as a Black transgender woman and the challenges she has faced in asserting her identity while also advocating for the rights and visibility of trans individuals. The article highlights how Doroshow’s resilience and determination serve as a source of strength in the face of societal discrimination and transphobia. This narrative mirrors Du Bois’ description of individuals whose “dogged strength alone keeps [them] from being torn asunder” in a society that seeks to diminish their humanity.
Similarly, the article from Teen Vogue discusses the Black Trans Lives Matter march organized by Doroshow, shedding light on her activism and advocacy work on behalf of the transgender community. Through her efforts to bring attention to the intersecting issues faced by Black trans individuals, Doroshow exemplifies the struggle for recognition and acceptance that is intrinsic to the trans experience. Her commitment to amplifying the voices of those who are marginalized and overlooked underscores the ongoing battle for equality and dignity in a society that often fails to acknowledge the full humanity of transgender individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the theory of double consciousness as articulated by W.E.B. Du Bois provides a compelling framework for understanding the challenges faced by transgender individuals like Ceyenne Doroshow. By examining Doroshow’s story through the lens of double consciousness, we can appreciate the complexity of the trans experience and the resilience required to navigate a world that too often seeks to diminish, erase, or pity those who do not conform to traditional gender norms. Through her activism, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to justice, Doroshow embodies the spirit of resistance and self-affirmation that is essential for all individuals who dare to assert their identities in the face of adversity.
