Write a research proposal will be about literature being relevant in modern society
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 Relevance of Literature in Modern Society: A Research Proposal
Introduction
Literature has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, shaping our understanding of the world and providing insights into the human experience. However, in today’s fast-paced and technology-driven society, the relevance of literature may be questioned. This research proposal aims to investigate the continued importance of literature in modern society. By examining its impact on critical thinking, empathy, and cultural understanding, this study seeks to shed light on the enduring relevance of literature and its potential benefits for individuals and society as a whole.
Research Questions
How does literature contribute to the development of critical thinking skills in modern society?
What role does literature play in fostering empathy and emotional intelligence?
How does literature promote cultural understanding and appreciation in a diverse society?
Methodology
This research proposal suggests employing a mixed-methods approach to gather comprehensive data on the relevance of literature in modern society. The research will consist of both qualitative and quantitative components to provide a well-rounded understanding of the topic.
Literature Review: A thorough review of existing literature will be conducted to explore the current scholarly perspectives on the relevance of literature in modern society. This will involve analyzing academic journals, books, and other relevant publications.
Surveys: A survey questionnaire will be developed to collect quantitative data from a diverse sample of participants. The survey will include questions that assess participants’ reading habits, perceptions of literature’s relevance, and the impact of literature on their critical thinking, empathy, and cultural understanding.
Interviews: In-depth interviews will be conducted with a select group of individuals who have a strong connection to literature, such as writers, educators, and avid readers. These interviews will provide rich qualitative data on the personal experiences and insights regarding the relevance of literature in their lives.
Analysis: The collected data from surveys and interviews will be analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical techniques, while qualitative data will be subjected to thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes related to the research questions.
Expected Findings
Based on existing research and theoretical frameworks, it is expected that this study will reveal several significant findings:
Literature contributes to the development of critical thinking skills by encouraging readers to analyze complex ideas, question assumptions, and engage in higher-level thinking.
Literature plays a crucial role in fostering empathy and emotional intelligence by allowing readers to immerse themselves in the lives and experiences of diverse characters.
Literature promotes cultural understanding and appreciation by offering insights into different cultures, histories, and perspectives, thereby breaking down stereotypes and promoting dialogue.
Implications
The findings of this research will have several implications for individuals, educators, policymakers, and society as a whole. It will highlight the enduring value of literature in modern society and emphasize the need to prioritize literary education in schools and communities. The study’s results may inform curriculum development, policy decisions, and promote the inclusion of diverse literary works that reflect the experiences of various communities. Additionally, it may encourage individuals to engage with literature as a means of personal growth, empathy-building, and cultural understanding.
Conclusion
This research proposal aims to explore the relevance of literature in modern society by examining its impact on critical thinking, empathy, and cultural understanding. Through a mixed-methods approach involving literature review, surveys, and interviews, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the enduring importance of literature in our fast-paced world. By highlighting its benefits for individuals and society as a whole, this research aims to emphasize the need for continued support and promotion of literature in all aspects of modern life.
