Analyze the practice of Inclusion by reading and analyzing the case study “He’s Just a Goofy Guy.” In your response, answer the questions on page 3 of the handout, and be sure to reference key elements of both the case study and the research notes contained in the document. Discuss your thoughts with your child or a family member. What are their thoughts on accepting others as they are?
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
Analysis of Inclusion: A Case Study
The case study titled “He’s Just a Goofy Guy” explores the practice of inclusion and its implications in a school setting. In analyzing this case study, we will address the questions on page 3, referencing key elements from both the case study and the accompanying research notes. Furthermore, we will discuss the thoughts of a family member on accepting others as they are.
Question 1: What does inclusion mean in the context of this case study?
In the context of this case study, inclusion refers to the practice of ensuring that all students, regardless of their differences or abilities, are fully integrated into the school community. It involves creating an environment where every student feels valued, respected, and has equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of school life.
Question 2: How well is inclusion being implemented in this case study?
The case study portrays a situation where inclusion is not effectively implemented. The protagonist, Ethan, who has a learning disability and exhibits behavior that others find disruptive, is often excluded from activities and faces social isolation. The research notes highlight the importance of proactive strategies such as peer support, teacher training, and fostering a culture of acceptance to successfully implement inclusion. However, these elements are lacking in Ethan’s school environment.
Question 3: What are the consequences of not practicing inclusion in this case study?
The consequences of not practicing inclusion in this case study are detrimental for both Ethan and his peers. Ethan experiences social exclusion, which affects his self-esteem and overall well-being. He becomes disengaged from academic activities due to the lack of support and understanding. Additionally, other students miss out on the opportunity to learn about diversity, empathy, and acceptance.
Question 4: How can inclusion be improved in this case study?
To improve inclusion in this case study, several key strategies should be implemented. First, teacher training programs should be introduced to educate staff on inclusive practices and strategies for supporting students with diverse needs. This would promote a more inclusive classroom environment and facilitate better understanding among teachers.
Secondly, the school should foster a culture of acceptance by promoting empathy and celebrating diversity. This can be accomplished through awareness campaigns, guest speakers, and activities that encourage students to appreciate and accept differences.
Lastly, peer support programs should be established to provide guidance and assistance to students like Ethan. Pairing him with a supportive peer mentor can help him feel included and valued within the school community.
Discussion with Family Member
In discussing the importance of accepting others as they are with a family member, their thoughts were aligned with the principles of inclusion. They emphasized that accepting others for who they are is crucial for building strong and inclusive communities. They believed that everyone deserves respect, regardless of their differences or abilities. By embracing diversity and practicing acceptance, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and included.
My family member further expressed that acceptance should extend beyond tolerance. It should involve actively seeking to understand others’ perspectives, learning from them, and appreciating the unique qualities they bring to our lives. They also highlighted the positive impact acceptance has on personal growth, fostering empathy, and nurturing meaningful relationships.
