Watch “On The Streets” featuring documentary on homelessness in LA on youtube. https://youtu.be/WUsJcPc8g0A?si=6CdR_OxYSBFmmsfy.Express your opinion. Your criticism. Call out directors, cinematographers, writers. You might comment on the target audience
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: “On The Streets” Documentary: A Critical Analysis
Introduction:
I recently watched the documentary “On The Streets,” which explores the issue of homelessness in Los Angeles. While documentaries play a vital role in shedding light on societal issues, it is essential to critically evaluate their execution and effectiveness. In this analysis, I will provide my opinion, criticism, and call out the directors, cinematographers, and writers involved in the production. Additionally, I will address the intended target audience of the documentary.
Opinion:
“On The Streets” presents a harrowing depiction of the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, showcasing the struggles faced by individuals living on the streets. The documentary succeeds in capturing the raw emotions and human stories behind this issue. It serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for societal change and compassion towards those experiencing homelessness.
Criticism:
While “On The Streets” tackles an important subject matter, I found certain aspects of the documentary to be lacking. Firstly, the pacing and structure felt disjointed at times, making it challenging to follow the narrative thread. A more coherent and organized approach would have enhanced the viewing experience and facilitated a stronger connection with the subjects.
Furthermore, I noticed a tendency towards sensationalism in certain scenes. While it is important to create an emotional impact, it is equally crucial to maintain journalistic integrity and avoid exploiting the subjects for dramatic effect. Sensationalism can risk overshadowing the underlying issues and may potentially alienate viewers who are seeking a balanced perspective.
Call-Out:
The directors, cinematographers, and writers involved in “On The Streets” should be commended for their efforts to shed light on homelessness in Los Angeles. However, there are areas that require improvement. The directors should prioritize a more cohesive narrative structure to ensure that viewers can fully engage with the stories being presented. Additionally, cinematographers should strive for visual consistency throughout the documentary to enhance its aesthetic appeal while staying true to the subject matter.
Writers also play a crucial role in shaping the documentary’s narrative. It is essential for them to strike a balance between emotional impact and presenting a comprehensive understanding of the issue. By providing a more holistic perspective, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding homelessness and be motivated to take action.
Target Audience:
The target audience of “On The Streets” appears to be individuals who are unfamiliar with or seeking to learn more about homelessness in Los Angeles. The documentary aims to generate awareness and empathy among viewers, encouraging them to confront the issue and potentially become advocates for change. However, it is important to note that the documentary’s approach may be more effective in engaging audiences who are already sympathetic or open-minded towards homelessness-related matters.
Conclusion:
“On The Streets” is an impactful documentary that sheds light on the pressing issue of homelessness in Los Angeles. While it effectively portrays the struggles faced by individuals living on the streets, there are areas where improvement is needed, such as narrative structure, visual consistency, and avoiding sensationalism. As viewers, we should critically analyze documentaries and hold them accountable for their portrayal of important societal issues. By doing so, we can encourage more nuanced and impactful storytelling that drives positive change.
