Consider the state of The American Dream. I want you to develop and work with specific topics and questions you find in both the readings and your discussion with friends, family, co-workers, or other students. But you may want to consider these (among other) questions:
What is the American Dream?
Is it real or just a myth?
Is it still possible for you and your generation?
Has it changed? How? Why?
Use the authors to back up your insights and claims.
Where do you agree with an authors and why?
Where do you disagree with an author and why?
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
The American Dream: Reality or Myth?
The concept of the American Dream has been a cornerstone of American culture for centuries. It embodies the belief that through hard work, perseverance, and determination, anyone can achieve success and prosperity in the United States. However, in recent times, there has been much debate surrounding the validity of this dream. Is the American Dream still attainable in today’s society, or has it devolved into an unattainable myth?
Defining the American Dream
The American Dream is a complex and multifaceted notion that has evolved over time. Initially rooted in the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity, it has come to symbolize the pursuit of happiness and prosperity through individual effort. Authors like James Truslow Adams have described it as “a dream of a social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable.”
The Myth vs. Reality
While the American Dream has inspired generations of Americans to strive for a better life, some argue that it has become more of a myth than a reality. Economic disparities, social injustices, and systemic barriers have made it increasingly difficult for individuals, especially those from marginalized communities, to achieve upward mobility. Authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates have highlighted how the American Dream is often unattainable for black Americans due to historical and ongoing racial inequalities.
Challenges and Changes
The American Dream has undoubtedly undergone changes over the years. Globalization, technological advancements, and shifting economic landscapes have reshaped the opportunities available to individuals seeking success. The ideal of homeownership and a stable job with benefits may no longer be feasible for many in today’s gig economy. Authors like Barbara Ehrenreich have critiqued the traditional narrative of hard work leading to success, pointing out the role of luck, privilege, and systemic advantages in achieving prosperity.
Agreement and Disagreement
While some authors emphasize the enduring power of the American Dream as a source of motivation and hope, others challenge its validity in a society marked by inequality and injustice. I agree with authors who acknowledge the systemic barriers that hinder equal access to opportunities and resources, particularly for marginalized groups. However, I also see merit in the idea that the American Dream, in its essence, represents a fundamental belief in the potential for individual growth and achievement.
In conclusion, the American Dream remains a complex and contested ideal in contemporary society. While its core principles of hard work and opportunity endure, the reality of achieving success is fraught with challenges and disparities. By critically examining the evolving nature of the American Dream and its implications for different individuals and communities, we can better understand the ongoing pursuit of prosperity and fulfillment in the United States.
