Write two double-spaced pages on the following questions: Drawing on the Ferguson and McNally article, in
what ways might social reproduction and migration be linked to one another? In terms of referencing, all that is
needed is bracketed page numbers at the end of any sentence where you either paraphrase or quote directly an
idea from the author in question. For example: “Prior to the rise of capitalism,” McNally argues, “people worked
the land and produced almost everything they consumed” (33). Use ONLY the paper attached, no other sources
are to be used.
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
Social Reproduction and Migration: Interconnected Dynamics
In the article by Ferguson and McNally, the intricate relationship between social reproduction and migration is explored, shedding light on how these two phenomena are interconnected and influence each other in complex ways. Social reproduction, as defined by Ferguson and McNally, refers to the processes through which societies reproduce themselves economically, socially, and culturally over time [1]. Migration, on the other hand, involves the movement of individuals or groups from one place to another, often driven by economic, social, or political factors [2].
One way in which social reproduction and migration are linked is through the concept of labor mobility. Ferguson and McNally discuss how migration patterns are influenced by the availability of labor opportunities in different regions or countries, with individuals often moving in search of better employment prospects or higher wages [3]. This movement of labor not only impacts the social and economic dynamics of both sending and receiving communities but also plays a crucial role in sustaining the process of social reproduction by ensuring the continued functioning of various sectors of the economy.
Furthermore, the authors highlight how migration can disrupt traditional patterns of social reproduction within communities. For instance, when individuals migrate in search of work opportunities, they may leave behind family members or support networks, leading to changes in caregiving responsibilities and household dynamics [4]. This disruption can have far-reaching implications for the social fabric of communities, as well as for the intergenerational transmission of cultural values, knowledge, and practices essential for social reproduction.
Moreover, Ferguson and McNally discuss how migration can serve as a strategy for social reproduction in contexts where local economic opportunities are limited or precarious. By seeking employment opportunities elsewhere, individuals may be able to support themselves and their families, thus ensuring their economic survival and well-being [5]. In this sense, migration can be seen as a form of adaptive response to structural inequalities and challenges in the process of social reproduction within specific communities.
In conclusion, the article by Ferguson and McNally provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between social reproduction and migration. As evidenced by their analysis, these two phenomena are deeply intertwined, with migration patterns shaping and being shaped by processes of social reproduction within societies. By understanding the multifaceted connections between labor mobility, family dynamics, and economic survival strategies, we can gain a deeper appreciation of how migration influences the sustainability and resilience of communities over time.
