why does children’s literature should be studied the same seriousness as literature
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 Importance of Taking Children’s Literature Seriously: A Comparative Study
Introduction
Children’s literature is often seen as a separate and lesser category compared to adult literature. However, it is crucial to recognize that children’s literature holds immense value and should be studied with the same seriousness as literature for adults. This essay aims to explore the reasons why children’s literature deserves equal attention and scholarly consideration. By comparing the impact, artistic merit, and educational value of children’s literature to that of adult literature, we can understand the importance of giving children’s literature the recognition it deserves.
Impact on Readers
Children’s literature has a profound impact on young readers. Just like adult literature, it can evoke emotions, spark imagination, and provoke critical thinking. It introduces children to different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, broadening their understanding of the world. Moreover, well-crafted children’s literature can instill lifelong reading habits and a love for literature from an early age. By studying children’s literature seriously, we acknowledge its power to shape young minds and promote literacy.
Artistic Merit
Children’s literature is not devoid of artistic merit. It requires skillful storytelling, creativity, and attention to language and imagery. Authors of children’s books must craft narratives that are engaging and accessible to their target audience while still conveying complex themes and ideas. Illustrators play a vital role in enhancing the visual appeal of children’s books, adding depth and beauty to the storytelling. By recognizing the artistic merit of children’s literature, we validate the importance of creative expression and storytelling for young readers.
Educational Value
Children’s literature serves as an important educational tool. Through stories, children learn about language, vocabulary, grammar, and narrative structure. Children’s books can also address social and emotional issues, helping young readers develop empathy, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, children’s literature can introduce historical events, scientific concepts, and cultural diversity in a way that is accessible and engaging for young minds. By taking children’s literature seriously, we acknowledge its role in fostering intellectual development and promoting lifelong learning.
Cultural Significance
Children’s literature reflects the values, beliefs, and cultural norms of a society. It provides a window into different time periods and can be studied as historical artifacts. Analyzing children’s literature allows us to understand how societal attitudes towards childhood, gender roles, and diversity have evolved over time. By studying children’s literature seriously, we gain valuable insights into our collective cultural heritage and the power of storytelling in shaping societal norms.
Conclusion
Children’s literature should be studied with the same seriousness as literature for adults due to its impact on readers, artistic merit, educational value, and cultural significance. By recognizing the power of children’s literature to shape young minds, foster creativity, promote literacy, and reflect societal values, we validate its importance in both academic and literary contexts. Studying children’s literature seriously not only enriches our understanding of childhood but also highlights the transformative power of literature in all its forms.