In group therapy Rose rarely says much in her group. Other members have caringly confronted her about how they were affected by her silence. Rose eventually says, “Everyone in here wants more from me than I am willing to give. It’s not that I am not interested, but I have always been more of a listener than one to speak up. I figure that if I have something to say, I’ll say it, but I don’t want to talk just to hear my voice.”
What are some things you might say to Rose? In what ways can she control the group through her silence? Can you think of some strategies for exploring her silence with her that would not lead to her becoming even more silent?
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
To Rose,
It is evident that your silence in group therapy has been a topic of concern for the other members, and I appreciate your willingness to express your perspective. It is important to remember that every individual has their own communication style, and being more of a listener rather than a talker is valid. However, it is also essential to find a balance that allows you to engage and contribute to the group dynamics effectively.
Here are some things you might consider:
Acknowledge and validate your communication style: Let the group members know that your preference for listening does not reflect a lack of interest or engagement. Explain that you value the opportunity to absorb and process information before providing input. By acknowledging your communication style, you can help others understand that your silence is not a reflection of disinterest or indifference.
Set boundaries: Communicate your boundaries with the group members regarding the level of participation you feel comfortable with. Let them know that you will speak up when you have something meaningful to contribute, but it may not be as frequent as others. By setting these boundaries, you can alleviate any potential pressure to speak up unnecessarily.
Explore alternative ways to participate: While verbal communication is one form of participation, encourage yourself to explore other ways to engage with the group. For instance, you may consider sharing your thoughts through writing or jotting down ideas during the session and providing them to the group when it feels appropriate. This way, you can still contribute without feeling compelled to speak in the moment.
Engage in individual check-ins: Request individual check-ins with the group facilitator or therapist to discuss your experience and any concerns you may have. This private setting allows for a deeper exploration of your silence without the pressure of the group dynamic. Through these discussions, you can gain insights and strategies tailored to your needs, helping you feel more comfortable and involved in the group.
Encourage group discussion on different communication styles: Suggest a group discussion on communication styles, highlighting the importance of respecting and embracing diversity within the group. By having an open conversation about different ways of participating, the group can gain a better understanding of each member’s preferences and find ways to support one another without judgment or pressure.
Remember, the goal is not to force you into speaking more but to find a balance that allows you to feel heard and included while honoring your natural inclination towards listening. The therapeutic process should be a safe space where everyone’s unique needs and preferences are respected.
