Write a response supporting why you agree or disagree with the following assertion:Despite having become an insect, Gregor is more humane and sensitive than his family.
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
Reevaluating Humanity and Sensitivity in “The Metamorphosis”
In Franz Kafka’s iconic novella “The Metamorphosis,” the transformation of the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, into a giant insect raises complex questions about humanity, empathy, and sensitivity. The assertion that Gregor, despite his physical metamorphosis, exhibits more humanity and sensitivity than his family members warrants a closer examination. This essay will argue against this assertion and shed light on the nuanced dynamics of human behavior and emotional responses portrayed in the novella.
Gregor’s Humanity Amidst Transformation
1. Self-Sacrifice and Responsibility
Gregor’s initial reaction to his transformation is marked by a sense of duty and responsibility towards his family. Despite his grotesque appearance and physical limitations, Gregor continues to prioritize his role as a provider and caretaker, showcasing a selfless commitment to his familial obligations.
2. Empathy and Understanding
Throughout the novella, Gregor demonstrates empathy and understanding towards his family members, even as they struggle to come to terms with his transformation. He seeks to avoid causing them distress and discomfort, highlighting his sensitivity to their emotions and well-being.
3. Emotional Vulnerability
Gregor’s internal monologues reveal profound emotional vulnerability and human longing for connection and acceptance. His inner turmoil and existential reflections underscore his capacity for complex feelings and experiences, challenging the notion that his insect form diminishes his humanity.
The Family’s Response: Lack of Empathy and Understanding
1. Rejection and Neglect
In contrast to Gregor’s efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy and support his family, his family members respond with rejection, neglect, and even cruelty. Their inability to accept Gregor’s transformation reflects a lack of empathy and understanding towards his plight, highlighting their own limitations in demonstrating humanity.
2. Selfishness and Indifference
The family’s focus on their own needs and desires, particularly after Gregor’s transformation, exposes their selfishness and indifference towards his suffering. Their prioritization of practical concerns over emotional connection reveals a lack of genuine empathy and sensitivity towards Gregor’s altered condition.
3. Emotional Distance
The emotional distance between Gregor and his family members becomes more pronounced as the novella progresses. Their inability to see beyond his physical appearance and communicate on an emotional level underscores their own shortcomings in demonstrating true humanity and sensitivity towards him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the assertion that Gregor exhibits more humanity and sensitivity than his family members in “The Metamorphosis” is not entirely supported by the nuances of Kafka’s narrative. While Gregor displays selflessness, empathy, and emotional vulnerability despite his physical transformation, his family members’ responses reveal their own limitations in understanding, empathy, and compassion. The novella serves as a poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships, highlighting the multifaceted nature of humanity and the challenges of connecting with others amidst differences and transformations. By examining the interplay between Gregor’s actions and his family’s reactions, we gain insight into the diverse manifestations of humanity, empathy, and sensitivity in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
