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.
Title: The Evolution of Popular Mobility in American History: Implications for Society, Politics, and Economy
Introduction
– Popular mobility in American history has been shaped by various eras characterized by distinct patterns of migration.
– This essay will explore key eras of popular mobility, similarities, and differences in who moved, where they moved, and why they moved, and the implications for American history in social, political, and economic realms.
Key Eras of Popular Mobility
1. Westward Expansion
– Who Moved: Pioneers, settlers, farmers seeking land, gold prospectors.
– Where They Moved: Westward to areas like California, Oregon, and the Great Plains.
– Why They Moved: Economic opportunities, land ownership, escape from crowded cities.
2. The Great Migration
– Who Moved: African Americans from the South to Northern cities.
– Where They Moved: Northern industrial cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York.
– Why They Moved: Escaping racial discrimination, seeking better job opportunities in urban centers.
3. Suburbanization
– Who Moved: Middle-class families from urban areas to suburban neighborhoods.
– Where They Moved: Suburbs surrounding major cities.
– Why They Moved: Desire for homeownership, better schools, and a perceived higher quality of life.
4. Urbanization
– Who Moved: Rural residents and immigrants to urban centers.
– Where They Moved: Industrial cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
– Why They Moved: Job opportunities in factories and industries, seeking a better life in the city.
Similarities and Differences
– Similarities:
– Economic motives were often a driving force behind migration in all eras.
– Each era of mobility reflected societal changes and aspirations for a better life.
– Differences:
– Westward expansion was driven by a quest for land and resources, while urbanization and suburbanization were influenced by industrialization and changing social structures.
– The Great Migration was unique in its focus on racial motivations for relocation.
Implications for American History
Social Implications
– Popular mobility shaped the cultural landscape of the United States by fostering diversity and multiculturalism.
– Migration patterns influenced social interactions and community dynamics, leading to the formation of unique identities in different regions.
Political Implications
– Mobility patterns have influenced voting demographics and political landscapes in various regions.
– The movement of populations has led to shifts in power dynamics and representation within the political system.
Economic Implications
– Migration has been a driving force behind economic growth and development in the United States.
– Labor mobility has fueled industries and innovation, contributing to the overall economic prosperity of the nation.
Conclusion
– The evolution of popular mobility in American history has been a dynamic process driven by economic, social, and political factors.
– Understanding the implications of these mobility patterns is crucial for comprehending the diverse tapestry of American society and its historical development.
