1.) Define Tin Pan Alley and discuss its importance. Name two Tin Pan Alley songwriters (250 words)
2.) Name 3 big band artists. Define big band music. Explain its popularity (250 words)
3.) Create your own definition of what constitutes popular music and why. Support your argument with specific examples. How has this changed? Is your definition applicable to each time period of popular music? How so? (500 words)
4.) Describe issues of race and racism in the music industry. Provide specific examples. How have these issues changed over time (ex. 1960s R&B industry compared to the present R&B industry)? What issues have remained? Explain in detail. (500 words)
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
Tin Pan Alley: The Heart of American Popular Music
Tin Pan Alley, a term coined in the early 20th century, refers to the hub of American music publishers and songwriters located in New York City. It was a melting pot of creativity where popular music was born and nurtured. The importance of Tin Pan Alley lies in its role as a catalyst for the development of the American popular music industry. It revolutionized the way music was produced, marketed, and consumed, shaping the landscape of popular music for decades to come.
Two prominent Tin Pan Alley songwriters are Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. Irving Berlin, known for classics like “White Christmas” and “God Bless America,” was a prolific songwriter whose music captured the spirit of his time. George Gershwin, famous for compositions like “Rhapsody in Blue” and “Summertime,” blended elements of classical music with popular tunes, leaving a lasting impact on American music.
Big Band Music: The Sound of Swing and Sophistication
Big band music emerged in the 1920s and reached the height of its popularity in the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s. Three iconic big band artists include Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller. Big band music is characterized by its large ensemble of musicians playing brass, woodwind, and rhythm instruments, creating a powerful and dynamic sound that defined an era.
The popularity of big band music can be attributed to its infectious rhythms, sophisticated arrangements, and energetic live performances. It provided a backdrop for social dancing and entertainment during a time of economic hardship and political uncertainty. Big band music became a cultural phenomenon, uniting people through its universal appeal and uplifting melodies.
Defining Popular Music: A Fluid and Evolving Concept
Popular music can be defined as music that appeals to a wide audience and reflects the cultural trends and values of a particular time period. It encompasses a diverse range of genres, styles, and artists who shape the musical landscape of their era. From Elvis Presley’s rock ‘n’ roll revolution in the 1950s to Beyoncé’s contemporary R&B influence today, popular music continues to evolve with society’s changing tastes and preferences.
The definition of popular music is fluid and adaptable, reflecting the ever-changing nature of musical expression. While certain themes and trends may come and go, the essence of popular music remains rooted in its ability to resonate with audiences on a mass scale. Each time period in popular music history has its own defining characteristics and influential figures, from the Beatles in the 1960s to Taylor Swift in the 21st century.
Race and Racism in the Music Industry: A Complex Legacy
Issues of race and racism have long plagued the music industry, shaping artists’ careers and influencing audience perceptions. In the 1960s, the R&B industry faced rampant segregation and discrimination, with black artists often marginalized and underrepresented in mainstream media. However, pioneers like Aretha Franklin and James Brown broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of black musicians.
Today, while progress has been made in terms of diversity and representation, systemic racism still persists in the music industry. Black artists continue to face challenges in gaining recognition and equal opportunities compared to their white counterparts. The rise of social media has provided a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, but issues of cultural appropriation and unequal treatment remain prevalent.
