Create a thesis based on the Prompt Money and Marriage in Ibsen’s “A Doll House” (i) a title that sets the stage for your paper and page numbers;
(ti) an introductory paragraph with a clear thesis statement that alerts/prepares the reader
for what your paper will be about; (ili) several main-body paragraphs that analyze
examples from the text which strengthen/support your thesis; and (iv) a conclusion that
summarizes the paper as a whole. Remember to cite/quote passages from the text-
indicated in your paper by quotation marks followed by page numbers in parentheses-
-to
explain how/why they are relevant to your interpretation, rather than using them in place
of your own thoughts.
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
Title: The Interplay of Money and Marriage in Ibsen’s “A Doll House”
Introduction: In Henrik Ibsen’s play, “A Doll House,” the theme of money and its impact on marriage is explored through the characters’ relationships and interactions. This paper argues that the pursuit of financial stability, the unequal distribution of wealth, and the societal expectations surrounding money significantly influence the dynamics of marriage in the play. By examining specific examples from the text, this essay will demonstrate how money serves as a catalyst for both conflict and liberation within the context of marriage.
Main Body Paragraphs:
The Pursuit of Financial Stability: In “A Doll House,” money is portrayed as a means to achieve social status and security. The character of Torvald Helmer is fixated on maintaining a comfortable lifestyle, often prioritizing his professional advancement over his wife, Nora. This is evident when Torvald dismisses Nora’s desire to save money for the future, belittling her efforts by referring to her as his “little squirrel” (Ibsen 22). This obsession with financial stability not only highlights the power dynamics within their marriage but also exposes the fragility of their relationship, which is built on superficial foundations.
Unequal Distribution of Wealth: Ibsen exposes the inequality in wealth distribution between men and women in “A Doll House.” This is exemplified through Nora’s secret loan and the subsequent blackmail she faces. Nora’s decision to borrow money without her husband’s knowledge reflects her desperation to fulfill societal expectations and maintain appearances. However, when Torvald discovers the truth, he reacts with anger and condescension, revealing his belief that financial control should solely rest in his hands. This inequality in financial power creates a power imbalance that ultimately leads to the disintegration of their marriage.
Societal Expectations Surrounding Money: The societal expectations surrounding money in “A Doll House” contribute to the oppressive nature of marriage. Society pressures couples, especially women, to conform to certain economic standards. Nora’s friend, Mrs. Linde, represents this societal expectation as she seeks marriage solely for financial security. Mrs. Linde’s choice to marry for money rather than love demonstrates how money can be prioritized over personal fulfillment. By contrasting Nora’s rebellious nature against Mrs. Linde’s conformity, Ibsen highlights the damaging impact of societal expectations on marital relationships.
Conclusion: In “A Doll House,” Ibsen skillfully portrays the interplay between money and marriage, emphasizing how financial stability, unequal distribution of wealth, and societal expectations shape the dynamics of relationships. Through characters like Torvald, Nora, and Mrs. Linde, Ibsen exposes the destructive consequences of valuing money over genuine emotional connection within a marriage. By exploring these themes, Ibsen prompts us to question and challenge societal norms surrounding money and marriage, urging us to seek authentic relationships based on mutual respect and love rather than material wealth.
