How my mother contributes to being the man of the house, like Ma Joad from the grapes of wrath.
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 Role of Mothers as the Pillars of Strength: A Comparison of Ma Joad from “The Grapes of Wrath”
Introduction
In John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath,” Ma Joad emerges as a resilient and powerful character, serving as the backbone of her family during difficult times. Similarly, many mothers in real life play a vital role in being the “man of the house” in challenging circumstances. This essay will explore the ways in which mothers, like Ma Joad, contribute to their families by assuming the role traditionally associated with men. Through their strength, resilience, and determination, these women provide essential support and guidance to their families.
Providing Emotional Support
One of the key ways in which mothers contribute to being the “man of the house” is by providing emotional support to their families. Like Ma Joad, they often become the source of strength during times of crisis. They offer comfort, reassurance, and a sense of stability to their children and spouses.
Mothers have an innate ability to create a nurturing environment where family members can express their fears, concerns, and emotions. They listen attentively, offer advice, and provide a sense of security during challenging times. This emotional support helps family members cope with difficulties and stay united as a cohesive unit.
Making Tough Decisions
Mothers who assume the role of the “man of the house” often find themselves making tough decisions to ensure the well-being of their families. Just like Ma Joad, they take charge and handle various responsibilities traditionally associated with men.
Whether it’s managing finances, making important household decisions, or handling unexpected emergencies, these mothers step up and make the necessary choices. They demonstrate resilience and resourcefulness in finding solutions to problems and ensuring the family’s stability.
Physical Labor and Protection
In addition to emotional support and decision-making, mothers often take on physical labor traditionally associated with men. They are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do whatever is necessary to provide for their families. Whether it’s working multiple jobs, performing household repairs, or carrying heavy loads, these mothers show unwavering dedication.
Moreover, like Ma Joad, they also take on the responsibility of protecting their families. They become fierce defenders against external threats and work tirelessly to create a safe environment. Whether it’s shielding their children from harm or standing up against injustice, these mothers exhibit remarkable courage and resilience.
Instilling Values and Education
Mothers who assume the role of the “man of the house” also play a crucial role in instilling values and providing education to their children. They serve as role models and impart important life lessons that help shape their children’s character.
Like Ma Joad, these mothers teach their children the importance of resilience, empathy, hard work, and perseverance. They encourage education and inspire their children to strive for a better future despite the challenges they may face.
Conclusion
In “The Grapes of Wrath,” Ma Joad exemplifies the strength and resilience of mothers who assume the role of the “man of the house.” Similarly, countless mothers in real life take on this responsibility, providing emotional support, making tough decisions, performing physical labor, and instilling values in their families.
These women demonstrate unwavering dedication and an indomitable spirit in ensuring the well-being and stability of their families. Their contributions should be acknowledged and celebrated as they serve as pillars of strength during challenging times. Their selflessness and determination inspire future generations and contribute to the strength of families and communities as a whole.
