Read Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and The Drug Company that Addicted America.
What did you know about the opiate epidemic prior to reading Dopesick? Identify/discuss 2 things you learned. Give specific examples from the text.
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
Understanding the Opiate Epidemic Through “Dopesick”
Introduction
Prior to delving into Beth Macy’s investigative piece, “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and The Drug Company that Addicted America,” my knowledge of the opiate epidemic was somewhat limited. However, through Macy’s meticulously researched narrative, I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding this national crisis.
Two Key Learnings from “Dopesick”
1. Pharmaceutical Industry’s Role in Fostering Addiction
One of the most alarming revelations from “Dopesick” was the extent to which pharmaceutical companies fueled the opiate epidemic. Specifically, Macy shines a light on Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, and its aggressive marketing tactics that prioritized profits over public health. The company aggressively promoted OxyContin as a safe and non-addictive painkiller, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
For instance, Macy recounts the story of a physician named Dr. Art Van Zee from Virginia who witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of OxyContin addiction in his community. Despite his efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug, Purdue continued to downplay its addictive properties and push for increased prescriptions. This example underscores the insidious influence of pharmaceutical companies in perpetuating addiction for financial gain.
2. Stigma and Barriers to Treatment
Another significant takeaway from “Dopesick” is the pervasive stigma and barriers that individuals struggling with addiction face when seeking treatment. Macy highlights how societal misconceptions and judgment often prevent those in need from accessing adequate care and support.
For instance, she shares the story of Tess Henry, a young woman battling addiction, whose journey to recovery is fraught with obstacles such as limited treatment options, insurance barriers, and social stigma. Through Tess’s narrative, Macy underscores the urgent need for a more compassionate and comprehensive approach to addressing addiction, one that prioritizes empathy and support rather than judgment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Dopesick” serves as a powerful exposé of the opiate epidemic, shedding light on the various factors that have contributed to its widespread impact. By uncovering the role of pharmaceutical companies in fostering addiction and highlighting the barriers to treatment that exist, Macy’s work challenges readers to confront the systemic issues at play and advocate for meaningful change. Through compelling storytelling and rigorous research, “Dopesick” offers invaluable insights into a crisis that continues to plague communities across America.
