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 Key Eras of Popular Mobility in American History
Introduction
Throughout American history, various eras have witnessed significant movements of people within the country. These movements have been driven by a range of factors including economic opportunities, political circumstances, social changes, and technological advancements. This essay will explore the key eras of popular mobility in American history, analyze the similarities and differences between them in terms of who moved, where they moved, and why they moved. Furthermore, it will examine the social, political, and economic implications that these movements had on American history as a whole.
1. Westward Expansion (1800s)
One of the earliest and most transformative eras of popular mobility in American history was the westward expansion during the 19th century. As the population grew and land became scarce in the eastern states, millions of Americans migrated towards the western frontier. The primary motivations for this movement were the allure of cheap land, the discovery of valuable resources like gold and silver, and the promise of a fresh start. The Homestead Act of 1862 also played a significant role in encouraging settlers to move west by providing them with free land. This era saw a diverse group of people, including farmers, miners, ranchers, and entrepreneurs, relocating to states like California, Oregon, and Texas.
2. The Great Migration (1910-1970)
The Great Migration refers to the movement of millions of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and Midwest between 1910 and 1970. The primary push factors for this migration were racial discrimination, limited economic opportunities, and the desire to escape the harsh conditions of sharecropping. The pull factors included the availability of industrial jobs, higher wages, and the hope for a better quality of life. This movement radically reshaped cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York, as African Americans sought refuge from Jim Crow laws and sought new opportunities in urban centers.
3. Post-World War II Suburbanization (1945-1970)
Following World War II, there was a significant shift in popular mobility towards suburban areas. The baby boom, increased automobile ownership, and government policies promoting homeownership all contributed to this trend. Many Americans sought to escape overcrowded cities and enjoy the perceived benefits of suburban living such as larger homes, safer neighborhoods, and access to better schools. This era saw predominantly white middle-class families leaving cities and moving to suburban areas surrounding major metropolitan centers.
4. Sunbelt Migration (1950s-present)
Starting in the 1950s, there has been a continuous migration trend from northern states to the southern and western regions of the country known as the Sunbelt. This movement was driven by several factors including warmer climates, economic opportunities in industries like defense and aerospace, lower taxes, and a lower cost of living. The Sunbelt states experienced significant population growth due to this migration wave, which had implications for political power as well since these states gained congressional seats.
5. Urban Revitalization and Gentrification (1980s-present)
In recent decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in urban living. This era has been marked by urban revitalization projects aimed at rejuvenating city centers and attracting young professionals and empty-nesters back to urban areas. This movement has led to gentrification in many neighborhoods, where wealthier residents move in and renovate properties, often displacing low-income communities. While this has brought economic growth to some cities, it has also raised concerns about socioeconomic inequality and housing affordability.
Conclusion
The key eras of popular mobility in American history have shaped the nation in profound ways. They have brought about demographic shifts, cultural transformations, economic booms in certain regions, and political realignments. These movements have not only affected individual lives but have also had wider implications for American society as a whole. By understanding and analyzing these eras of mobility, we can gain insights into the forces that have shaped the United States and continue to do so today.