Provide 3 examples of “gendered” language from society. How do these examples affect individuals and our understanding of gender? What are some ways we can empower language and use it to combat sexism?
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
Gendered Language: Its Impact and Empowering Solutions
Gendered language, which assigns specific words and expressions to a particular gender, permeates our society and affects individuals in numerous ways. Not only does it reinforce traditional gender roles and stereotypes, but it also hampers our understanding of gender as a social construct rather than a biological determinant. To combat sexism and promote more inclusive language, we must empower language itself. Below are three examples of gendered language and some strategies to foster a more equitable linguistic landscape.
1. Job Titles:
Example: “Fireman,” “policeman,” “chairman”
Impact: These job titles imply that certain professions are inherently masculine, excluding women and perpetuating the belief that men are better suited for these roles. This exclusion denies women opportunities for career advancement and reinforces gender biases in our society.
Empowering Language: Replace gendered job titles with neutral terms that emphasize the role without reference to gender. For instance, “firefighter,” “police officer,” and “chairperson.”
2. Pronouns and Salutations:
Example: “Hey guys,” “he or she,” “mankind”
Impact: The use of male pronouns as the default or generic term erases the experiences and existence of non-binary individuals and reinforces the binary understanding of gender. It also alienates those who do not identify with the traditional gender binary.
Empowering Language: Instead of using “guys,” opt for gender-neutral alternatives like “folks,” “everyone,” or “friends.” Use inclusive pronouns such as “they” or “them” when referring to individuals whose gender identity is unknown or non-binary. Additionally, replace gendered terms like “mankind” with more inclusive phrases such as “humankind” or “humanity.”
3. Insults and Derogatory Terms:
Example: “Man up,” “sissy,” “tomboy”
Impact: These insults perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes, suggesting that men should be strong and emotionless while women should be delicate and conform to societal expectations. Such language restricts individuals’ self-expression and reinforces harmful gender norms.
Empowering Language: Encourage positive and inclusive language that allows individuals to express themselves authentically. Instead of using derogatory terms, promote acceptance and respect for different expressions of gender identity. Encourage people to be themselves, regardless of societal expectations.
In order to empower language and combat sexism, it is essential to raise awareness about the impact of gendered language on individuals and society as a whole. Education plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and encouraging the use of empowering language. Schools, workplaces, and media outlets can take steps to promote gender-neutral language and challenge traditional gender norms. Additionally, actively listening to marginalized communities and incorporating their perspectives can help foster more inclusive language.
In conclusion, recognizing and challenging gendered language is pivotal in creating a more equitable society. By replacing gendered terms with neutral alternatives, using inclusive pronouns, and promoting positive expressions of gender, we can empower language and contribute to a more inclusive understanding of gender. Language has immense power, and by harnessing it to combat sexism, we can build a more inclusive future for all.
