Integrate information from 3 sources — Corr Ch 14 (young-middle adults), Harvey et al (on constructing accounts of loss and hope), and Lenette (2 refugee widows) in order to describe and discuss the following: Identify and discuss how the grief and loss experiences of the 2 refugee widows in Lenette’s article are similar to and different from grief and loss in similar age bereaved adults in the US. In your answer be sure to incorporate and apply information on 4 areas: developmental tasks (that is, either identity or generativity); death related attitudes; coping with loss; and accounts of loss and/or hope.
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
In order to discuss the similarities and differences between the grief and loss experiences of the two refugee widows in Lenette’s article and bereaved adults in the US, we will integrate information from Corr Ch 14, Harvey et al., and Lenette’s study. By examining developmental tasks, death-related attitudes, coping strategies, and accounts of loss and hope, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of how these experiences compare and contrast.
Developmental Tasks: According to Corr Ch 14, young-middle adults in the US are often engaged in the developmental task of generativity, which involves finding purpose and meaning in life and making contributions to future generations. In Lenette’s article, the refugee widows faced similar challenges as they grappled with rebuilding their lives after the loss of their husbands. They had to navigate their new roles as sole providers for their families and seek ways to give their children a better future. However, unlike bereaved adults in the US who may have established networks of support or access to resources, the refugee widows faced additional obstacles due to their displacement and limited resources.
Death-Related Attitudes: Harvey et al. emphasize the importance of cultural and individual differences in death-related attitudes. In the US, bereaved adults often rely on cultural norms and religious beliefs to cope with loss. They may seek social support and engage in rituals such as funeral ceremonies to process their grief. The refugee widows in Lenette’s study also held cultural beliefs and religious practices that influenced their understanding of death. However, their experiences were shaped by their unique cultural backgrounds and the trauma of displacement. They may have faced challenges in reconciling their traditional beliefs with their new environment.
Coping with Loss: Corr Ch 14 highlights various coping strategies employed by young-middle adults in the US to navigate grief. This can include seeking support from friends and family, engaging in therapeutic interventions, or participating in support groups. In Lenette’s study, the refugee widows relied heavily on their community for support. They leaned on fellow widows who shared similar experiences and formed close bonds with others who understood their struggles. However, they also faced additional barriers to accessing formal support systems due to language barriers or cultural differences.
Accounts of Loss and Hope: Lenette’s article provides insight into the narratives of loss and hope constructed by the refugee widows. They expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of their husbands but also conveyed resilience and determination to create a better future for themselves and their children. These accounts align with Harvey et al.’s findings, which suggest that individuals construct accounts of loss and hope as part of the grieving process. Bereaved adults in the US may similarly express a mix of sadness, longing, and hope as they navigate their grief journey.
In conclusion, while there are similarities in the grief and loss experiences between the refugee widows in Lenette’s article and bereaved adults in the US, there are also notable differences due to factors such as culture, displacement, access to resources, and social support networks. Understanding these nuances is crucial in providing appropriate support and interventions for individuals navigating grief in diverse contexts.
