Point out where the rain shadow effect takes place and explain why it occurs in those places and how it may influence human activity.
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 Rain Shadow Effect: Unveiling Nature’s Intricate Tapestry
Introduction: The rain shadow effect is a fascinating natural phenomenon that occurs in specific geographical regions around the world. This essay aims to shed light on where the rain shadow effect takes place, why it occurs in those places, and how it significantly influences human activities within these regions.
Thesis Statement: The rain shadow effect occurs in mountainous areas located on the leeward side of prevailing winds, leading to reduced rainfall and distinct climatic conditions. Its impact on human activity is profound, shaping agriculture, water availability, and settlement patterns within affected regions.
I. Identifying Regions Affected by the Rain Shadow Effect:
Pacific Northwest of the United States (Cascades)
Central Asia (Himalayas)
Chile (Andes)
Western Ghats of India
Eastern Mediterranean (Levant)
II. Understanding the Mechanism:
Prevailing Winds:
Moist air masses are carried by prevailing winds from oceanic or large water bodies towards land.
These winds encounter mountain ranges, forcing them to ascend.
Orographic Lifting:
As air rises, it cools and expands, leading to condensation and cloud formation.
The moisture-laden clouds release precipitation on the windward side of the mountains.
Rain Shadow Formation:
As the air continues to ascend and move over the mountains, it begins to descend on the leeward side.
Descending air warms and compresses, inhibiting cloud formation and rainfall.
III. Influence on Human Activity:
Agriculture:
Limited rainfall restricts crop cultivation, necessitating irrigation systems for farming.
Drought-resistant crops and specialized farming techniques are adopted.
Examples: Vineyards in California’s Central Valley or apple orchards in Washington State.
Water Availability:
Reduced precipitation decreases surface water supply.
Local communities rely on alternative sources such as underground aquifers or reservoirs.
Water conservation measures and efficient usage become essential.
Settlement Patterns:
The scarcity of water and arid conditions may deter human settlements in rain shadow areas.
Population density is often lower compared to regions with abundant rainfall.
Urban planning must account for water scarcity and resource management.
Biodiversity:
The rain shadow effect creates distinct ecosystems with unique flora and fauna.
Adaptation to arid conditions leads to the evolution of specialized species.
Ecotourism opportunities arise, promoting conservation efforts.
Conclusion: The rain shadow effect exemplifies nature’s intricate interplay between geography, climate, and human activity. By understanding where it occurs, why it happens, and how it influences human endeavors, we gain insight into the challenges faced by communities residing in these regions. Embracing innovative solutions and sustainable practices becomes crucial for ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and their environment in rain shadow areas.
