Outline the key eras of popular mobility, and how these were similar to or different from each other (who moved, where they moved, why they moved). What have been the implications (social, political, economic) for American history as a whole?
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 Evolution of Popular Mobility in American History: Implications and Comparisons
1. Early Settlement and Westward Expansion (1600s-1800s)
– Who Moved: European settlers, pioneers, and immigrants seeking land and economic opportunities.
– Where They Moved: From the East Coast to the Midwest and Western regions of the United States.
– Why They Moved: Factors included land availability, economic prospects (such as the Gold Rush), religious freedom, and manifest destiny ideology.
2. Industrialization and Urban Migration (late 1800s-early 1900s)
– Who Moved: Rural populations, European immigrants, African Americans, and individuals seeking employment in factories and urban centers.
– Where They Moved: From rural areas to growing industrial cities like New York, Chicago, and Detroit.
– Why They Moved: Industrialization, job opportunities in factories, and economic advancement drove mass urban migration.
3. Suburbanization and Post-War Migration (1940s-1960s)
– Who Moved: Middle-class families, veterans returning from World War II, and individuals seeking a suburban lifestyle.
– Where They Moved: From urban centers to newly developed suburbs surrounding major cities.
– Why They Moved: Desire for homeownership, access to better schools, and the availability of affordable housing in suburban areas.
4. Sunbelt Migration and Globalization (late 20th century)
– Who Moved: Americans seeking warmer climates, retirees, and individuals attracted to job opportunities in technology and service industries.
– Where They Moved: Migration to the Sunbelt states like California, Texas, and Florida, as well as urban centers with growing job markets.
– Why They Moved: Factors included climate preferences, job prospects in emerging industries, and lifestyle choices.
Implications for American History
Social Impacts:
– Each era of popular mobility contributed to cultural diversity and societal change as different groups of people interacted and settled in new regions.
– Migration patterns influenced social norms, traditions, and community dynamics, shaping the fabric of American society.
Political Effects:
– Population shifts led to changes in political representation, with new states emerging from westward expansion and demographic changes impacting voting patterns.
– Urban migration and suburbanization influenced political agendas related to housing policies, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs.
Economic Consequences:
– Mobility patterns drove economic growth through the expansion of industries, development of new markets, and the creation of job opportunities in various sectors.
– Migration trends also impacted labor markets, wages, and consumer patterns, shaping the economic landscape of different regions.
Conclusion
The history of popular mobility in America reflects a dynamic narrative of exploration, settlement, urbanization, and globalization. Each era of movement brought forth unique challenges and opportunities, leaving lasting imprints on the social, political, and economic landscape of the United States.
As Americans continue to navigate shifts in mobility patterns and demographic trends, understanding the historical context of popular migration serves as a valuable lens through which to analyze the evolving dynamics of society and its impact on the nation as a whole.
