Is the notion of salvation used by Jacques Roumain in Governor of the Dew different from the notion of salvation used by Christ on the cross?
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
Exploring the Notions of Salvation in “Governor of the Dew” by Jacques Roumain and Christ’s Crucifixion
Salvation is a central theme in many literary works and religious beliefs, often embodying hope, redemption, and liberation. In Jacques Roumain’s novel “Governor of the Dew,” the concept of salvation is intricately woven into the narrative, prompting a comparison with the notion of salvation depicted in Christ’s crucifixion. While both concepts share elements of redemption and transformation, they diverge in their contexts and implications.
Thesis Statement
The notion of salvation as portrayed by Jacques Roumain in “Governor of the Dew” differs from the traditional Christian understanding of salvation through Christ’s crucifixion, as it emphasizes collective liberation, social justice, and empowerment rather than individual redemption and atonement.
Jacques Roumain’s Concept of Salvation in “Governor of the Dew”
In “Governor of the Dew,” Jacques Roumain presents salvation as a collective endeavor rather than an individual journey. The character Ti Malice embodies this idea as he leads his community towards liberation from oppressive forces, symbolizing a form of salvation that transcends personal salvation. Roumain’s depiction suggests that salvation is achieved through unity, resistance against injustice, and communal action. This concept aligns with liberation theology, emphasizing the importance of social transformation and empowerment in attaining salvation.
Christ’s Crucifixion and Traditional Notions of Salvation
In contrast, the notion of salvation through Christ’s crucifixion in Christianity focuses on individual redemption and reconciliation with God. The sacrificial act of Christ is believed to have atoned for the sins of humanity, offering salvation to those who believe in his sacrifice. This traditional understanding highlights the personal relationship between the individual and God, emphasizing faith, repentance, and grace as essential components of salvation.
Divergence in Context and Implications
The difference between Roumain’s concept of salvation in “Governor of the Dew” and Christ’s crucifixion lies in their contexts and implications. While Roumain emphasizes social justice, empowerment, and liberation on a communal level, Christ’s crucifixion underscores personal redemption and spiritual reconciliation. Roumain’s vision of salvation challenges societal norms and structures, advocating for systemic change and collective liberation, whereas Christ’s sacrifice is seen as a means of individual salvation through faith in his divinity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the notion of salvation as depicted by Jacques Roumain in “Governor of the Dew” differs from the traditional Christian understanding of salvation through Christ’s crucifixion. While both concepts share elements of redemption and transformation, Roumain’s portrayal emphasizes collective liberation, social justice, and empowerment over individual atonement and reconciliation. By exploring these divergent perspectives on salvation, we gain a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted nature of this universal theme and its varied interpretations in literature and religion.
