Describe your reaction to Alexies short story. What did you learn from his experience and commitment to social change in his community?
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
Sherman Alexie’s short stories often provide profound insights into the experiences of Native Americans, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and social justice. His narrative style combines humor with painful truths, allowing readers to engage deeply with the complexities of life on a reservation and the struggles faced by Indigenous communities.
Personal Reaction
Reading Alexie’s work evokes a mix of admiration and introspection. His characters often navigate the dualities of their existence—struggling with their cultural heritage while facing the harsh realities of contemporary society. The way he portrays their experiences resonates with me, highlighting the importance of storytelling as a means of expressing identity and advocating for change.
One of the standout aspects of Alexie’s storytelling is his ability to infuse humor into serious situations. This technique not only makes the narratives accessible but also reflects the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It reminds me that laughter can coexist with pain and that finding joy in difficult circumstances is a powerful form of resistance.
Lessons Learned from Alexie’s Commitment to Social Change
1. Advocacy for Representation: Alexie’s commitment to highlighting Native American experiences underscores the importance of representation in literature and media. His work challenges stereotypes and offers authentic voices from a community often marginalized in mainstream narratives. This emphasizes the need for diverse perspectives and the power of storytelling in shaping societal understanding.
2. Community Engagement: Through his narratives, it becomes clear that social change requires active engagement with one’s community. Alexie’s characters often work through their struggles collectively, demonstrating that solidarity and support within communities can lead to meaningful change. This reinforces the idea that individual actions can have a broader impact when rooted in communal efforts.
3. Courage to Address Difficult Topics: Alexie does not shy away from difficult subjects such as poverty, addiction, and violence—issues that plague many Indigenous communities. His willingness to confront these challenges head-on serves as a reminder that social change often begins with acknowledging uncomfortable truths. This teaches us that addressing systemic issues requires courage and honesty.
4. Empowerment through Storytelling: Alexie’s narratives emphasize the transformative power of storytelling as a tool for empowerment. By sharing their stories, individuals can reclaim their identities, challenge injustices, and inspire others to take action. This highlights the significance of personal narratives in the broader struggle for social justice.
5. Hope and Resilience: Despite tackling heavy themes, Alexie’s stories often convey a sense of hope and resilience. His characters may face daunting challenges, yet they continue to strive for better futures. This commitment to hope is essential; it inspires readers to believe in the possibility of change and motivates them to contribute to creating a more just society.
In conclusion, Sherman Alexie’s short stories offer not only a window into the lived experiences of Native Americans but also serve as a call to action for social change. His commitment to authenticity, community engagement, and the power of storytelling provides valuable lessons on resilience, advocacy, and the importance of bearing witness to one another’s experiences. Through his work, I am reminded of the necessity for continued dialogue around social justice and the role we all play in fostering understanding and change within our communities.
