Outline the key eras of popular mobility, and how these were similar to or different from each other (who moved, where they moved, why they moved). What have been the implications (social, political, economic) for American history as a whole?
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.
Key Eras of Popular Mobility in American History
Introduction
Throughout American history, various eras of popular mobility have shaped the social, political, and economic landscape of the nation. Understanding who moved, where they moved, and why they moved during these key periods provides insights into the implications for American history as a whole.
1. Westward Expansion (1800s)
Who Moved
Pioneers, settlers, and immigrants from the eastern United States and Europe moved westward in search of land, opportunities for economic advancement, and a better life.
Where They Moved
Individuals and families migrated to regions such as the Louisiana Purchase territory, Oregon Trail, California Gold Rush, and the Great Plains, expanding the boundaries of the United States.
Why They Moved
Push factors such as overcrowding in the East, economic hardships, and lack of opportunities, as well as pull factors like the promise of free land, gold discoveries, and the allure of new beginnings, motivated people to move westward.
Implications
– Social: Westward expansion led to the displacement and marginalization of Native American tribes, as well as the establishment of new communities and social structures in the West.
– Political: The movement westward fueled debates over slavery expansion, statehood, and federal land policies, shaping the political landscape of the nation.
– Economic: The discovery of natural resources, development of transportation networks, and expansion of agriculture and industry fueled economic growth and transformed the American economy.
2. Great Migration (1916-1970)
Who Moved
African Americans from the rural South migrated to urban centers in the North and Midwest seeking job opportunities, escape from racial violence, and greater civil rights.
Where They Moved
Cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and Los Angeles experienced significant population increases as African Americans sought employment in industrial sectors.
Why They Moved
Escaping Jim Crow laws, seeking better economic prospects in northern industries, and participating in the cultural and political movements of the Harlem Renaissance were key reasons for the Great Migration.
Implications
– Social: The Great Migration fueled the growth of African American communities in urban areas, leading to cultural flourishing, increased political activism, and challenges to racial segregation.
– Political: Migration patterns influenced demographic shifts in urban areas, impacting voting blocs, civil rights movements, and political representation.
– Economic: African American migration contributed to the industrial workforce in northern cities, leading to economic changes and labor market dynamics.
3. Suburbanization (1950s-1960s)
Who Moved
White middle-class families moved from urban centers to suburban communities in response to post-World War II economic prosperity and government incentives for homeownership.
Where They Moved
Levittown and other planned suburban developments emerged around major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, creating a new suburban lifestyle.
Why They Moved
Factors such as affordable housing, access to better schools, perceived safety, and a desire for a more idyllic suburban lifestyle motivated families to leave urban areas.
Implications
– Social: Suburbanization led to demographic shifts in urban centers, changes in community structures, and disparities in access to resources between urban and suburban populations.
– Political: The growth of suburbs influenced voting patterns, public policy decisions related to infrastructure development, and debates over racial segregation and housing policies.
– Economic: Suburbanization stimulated the construction industry, consumer markets for household goods and automobiles, and patterns of employment and commuting.
Conclusion
The key eras of popular mobility in American history reflect a dynamic interplay between social, political, and economic forces that have shaped the nation’s development. From westward expansion to the Great Migration and suburbanization, patterns of movement have influenced demographics, cultural landscapes, political dynamics, and economic systems. Understanding who moved, where they moved, and why they moved during these eras provides valuable insights into the implications for American history as a whole, highlighting the interconnectedness of mobility with broader societal trends and transformations.
