Write an ethnographic research essay that primarily focuses on Power, resistance and social media
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: Unveiling Power, Resistance, and Social Media: An Ethnographic Exploration
Introduction
Power dynamics and acts of resistance are fundamental aspects of social interactions, and the emergence of social media platforms has transformed the landscape in which power is exercised and contested. This ethnographic research essay delves into the intricate interplay between power structures, forms of resistance, and the role of social media in shaping contemporary sociopolitical landscapes.
Understanding Power in the Digital Age
In the digital age, power is not solely confined to traditional institutions but is dispersed across networks, individuals, and online platforms. Social media channels serve as arenas where power is wielded through the dissemination of information, influence over public discourse, and control of narratives that shape collective perceptions and behaviors.
Forms of Resistance in Online Spaces
Resistance manifests in various forms on social media, ranging from individual acts of dissent to collective movements challenging dominant power structures. Users leverage social media platforms to amplify marginalized voices, mobilize for social justice causes, and hold powerful entities accountable through digital activism, hashtag campaigns, and online organizing.
Ethnographic Methodology in Digital Contexts
Conducting ethnographic research in online spaces involves immersing oneself in virtual communities, observing interactions, analyzing discourse, and engaging with digital practices that reflect power dynamics and resistance efforts. Ethnographers navigate the complexities of digital ethnography to uncover hidden power structures and emergent forms of resistance within online ecosystems.
Power Dynamics on Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms are not neutral spaces but are embedded with power asymmetries that shape visibility, influence, and control over information flows. Algorithmic biases, censorship practices, and commercial interests impact the distribution of content, constraining or amplifying voices based on predetermined criteria that reflect underlying power dynamics.
Resistance Strategies in the Digital Sphere
From online petitions to viral campaigns, resistance strategies on social media encompass a diverse array of tactics aimed at challenging dominant narratives, subverting oppressive systems, and fostering solidarity among digital communities. Ethnographic studies shed light on how individuals and groups harness the affordances of social media for empowerment, advocacy, and social change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the intersection of power, resistance, and social media illuminates the complex interactions shaping contemporary sociopolitical landscapes. Ethnographic research serves as a valuable lens for unpacking the dynamics of power on digital platforms, documenting acts of resistance, and understanding how online spaces become sites of contestation and negotiation. By critically examining power relations in digital contexts and amplifying voices of resistance, we can cultivate a more inclusive, transparent, and equitable online environment that empowers individuals to challenge hegemonic structures and advocate for social transformation. As we navigate the evolving terrain of social media engagement, it is imperative to recognize the agency of users in shaping digital cultures and fostering meaningful change through collective resistance efforts.
