What are some other turning points in American history that historians have emphasized or should emphasize? How might these other turning points influence where new American history surveys begin and end?
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
Reexamining Turning Points in American History: Broadening Perspectives
Thesis Statement
In addition to traditionally emphasized turning points in American history, such as the American Revolution and the Civil Rights Movement, historians should also highlight events like the Women’s Suffrage Movement, the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, and the Environmental Movement to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the nation’s development. These diverse turning points can reshape where new American history surveys begin and end by incorporating a broader range of perspectives and experiences.
Introduction
The study of American history is often framed around key turning points that have shaped the nation’s development and identity. While traditional narratives tend to focus on events like wars and political movements, there is a growing recognition among historians of the importance of broadening perspectives to encompass a more inclusive and diverse range of turning points in American history.
Broadening Perspectives on Turning Points
Women’s Suffrage Movement
The fight for women’s suffrage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a significant turning point in American history, leading to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. By emphasizing the Women’s Suffrage Movement, historians can highlight the struggle for gender equality and the contributions of women to American society and politics.
LGBTQ+ Rights Movement
The LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, encompassing events like the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and the push for marriage equality in the 21st century, represents a pivotal turning point in American history. By exploring this movement, historians can illuminate the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition, shaping the nation’s understanding of diversity and inclusion.
Environmental Movement
The Environmental Movement, emerging in the mid-20th century with events like the first Earth Day in 1970 and the creation of landmark environmental legislation, has had a profound impact on American society and policy. By highlighting this movement, historians can underscore the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability in shaping the nation’s future.
Influence on American History Surveys
Revisiting Where American History Surveys Begin
By incorporating a broader range of turning points, new American history surveys can redefine where the narrative begins. Rather than starting solely with colonial settlements or the Founding Fathers, surveys could include Indigenous histories, early resistance movements, and diverse cultural contributions to provide a more comprehensive foundation for understanding American history.
Redefining Where American History Surveys End
Similarly, by expanding the scope of turning points to include events like the Women’s Suffrage Movement, LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, and Environmental Movement, new surveys can reshape where the narrative concludes. Instead of focusing solely on political milestones or military conflicts, surveys could explore ongoing struggles for social justice, environmental sustainability, and human rights to offer a more nuanced view of America’s past and future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, by reexamining and broadening perspectives on turning points in American history, historians can create a more inclusive and dynamic narrative that reflects the diverse experiences and contributions of individuals across the nation. By emphasizing events like the Women’s Suffrage Movement, LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, and Environmental Movement alongside traditional turning points, new American history surveys can provide a richer understanding of the nation’s past and present. This holistic approach to studying American history can foster greater empathy, awareness, and engagement with the complexities of the nation’s development and influence where surveys begin and end to reflect a more comprehensive view of American history.
