Analysis Of The Rape Of Dinah

Vince Lombardi said “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”, this quote gives a simple yet very strong message, never give up. The thing that a lot of people don’t seem to understand is that there are different ways of getting back up after you’ve been put down. People have different ways of coping with hard situations. Many of these people come up with their own way of coping based on factors that they couldn’t control. Some examples of these factors are financial status, social status, gender, and ethnicity and so on. There are programs placed for people to get help, but these programs only work for specific people. These programs don’t help people with lower statuses, and for this reason they don’t go to those programs.

One publication that analyzes the story is that of “What if Dinah was not Raped? (Genesis 34)” by Lyn M. Bechtel. The purpose of Bechtel’s

Inga Muscio is a very influential writer. Over the years she has earned tremendous credibility within the feminist world. In the chapter, “Rape not Cunt,” from her well known book Cunt, a Declaration of Independence, Inga passionately writes of her feelings about violence against women. She attempts to use rhetoric and captures the reader with a call of action to help prevent further violence against women. However, although Inga Muscio had many valid points about violence against women, her rhetoric does not appeal to all audiences.

A Rape in the Early Republic, edited by Randall L. Hall, is the complete text of the John Deskins Trial which was compiled by Alexander Smyth, a prominent congressman and attorney in the Deskins case. This early in American legal history, rape trials were rare and when they occurred, there was little-to-no documentation of the cases. For example, John Deskins was the only rapist to go to jail in 1806 . This recount is significant to the development of legal history because it addresses gender and sexual misconduct cases in the early republic. During this time, the United States legal system was constantly changing to reflect changes and developments in society, making this case pivotal in legal history. In order to remain true to Smyth’s

Dinah was the only girl born by Jacob and his four wives. Her mother Leah, Jacob’s first wife, raised her with the aid of her three sister, all who shared the same husband as Leah. After having grown up as second youngest alongside her 12 brothers Dinah reached womanhood with elegance and grace due to the teachings of the women around her. She was taught from a young age the work of a midwife through her mother-auntie Rachel and Inna, a close family friend. Rachel and Inna worked together as midwives and delivered many children for any women that sought their help. However, as time grew on Inna grew older it was hard for her to travel and assist in births. To make up for Inna’s absence Rachel took Dinah ton as her apprentice. One particular job called Dinah and her aunt to the city of Shechem to deliver the son of the king’s concubine. While visiting the palace she meets the prince Shalem and instantly falls in love with him. “... Shalem, whose name I had not even learned, whose presence made me dumb and weak.” (Diamant

The documentary, Rape in the Fields, explores the experiences of women farm workers who are either documented or undocumented immigrants. Unfortunately, many of the men that these women work with take advantage of that fact by using it as a threat in order for them to commit sexual assault towards these women. The issues of “unwelcome” and “involuntary” actions, power and powerless, vulnerability, and receiving help for these women are all portrayed within this documentary. As defined in the presentation, “sexual conduct is unwelcomed whenever the person subjected to it considers it unwelcome.”

This act is translated into todays concept of rape, but as the narrative continues we see how Shechem tries to justify his manner by claiming he fell victim to love. "Being drawn to Dinah, daughter of Jacob, and in love with the maiden, he spoke to the maiden tenderly” (Genesis 34:3). This, however, is not admissible in the eyes of Israel’s men. Shechem’s behavior is considered “an outrage in Israel…a thing not to be done”, and therefore, hinders Shechem’s aspiration of marriage to her (Genesis 34:7). One of the ways he is able to seek mercy is by offering Dinah’s brothers and father a high bride price. This offering along with a promise for all men to be circumcised in accordance with God's command to their grandfather Abraham: "This is my covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised," is a fitting plea to their ears and Dinah is wed off (Genesis 17:10). But what about Dinah’s ears? Who is to say that she wants to marry this man who defiled her? What is her view on it all?

The purpose of this research is to acknowledge the existence of rape in the black community as well as the hypersexualization of African American women in the media. This research will elaborate on the psychological effect of rape, give personal testimonies of victims, and discuss solutions, prevention, as well as a history of the “where, when, and why” of this crime. It will also discuss the effect of rape on men, provide information in regards to the most common places rape occurs/has occurred and also give light on the perspective of men and women when it comes to the issue of sexual assault.

Looking back at her tragic series of sexual assaults, Samentha Moore reminisces on her habitual inexorable feelings of “self-conscious and blaming” (source 5). Moore experienced her first two traumatic assaults before college; she was left vacant, aloof and disconsolate after the police disdainfully responded to her assaults. Around the time, she experienced her third assault in college, Moore was discourage to report it ands was left miserable and unable to desert her pain, loneliness and self- punishment. Her agony later developed into an eating disorder; Moore thought maybe if she “made myself (herself) less attractive it (the rape) wouldn’t happen again” (source 5).

Psychologists usually agree that the teenage years are among the most difficult periods in one’s life. Most teens are trying to figure out who they are, what they believe, and how they fit into the world around them. Beginning in the late 1970’s, a whole genre of fiction, referred to as coming-of-age literature, emerged and serves, at least for many teens, as believable presentations of young people learning to navigate the difficulties of their lives, often fraught with feelings of rejection, seemingly unresolvable personal turmoil, social problems, school and family issues, etc. Indeed one value of reading is to see and better understand some aspect of ourselves through studying others. The reading of SPEAK, a somewhat controversial book

Above all, Lucretia’s virtues of honor and respect for her husband and family were more important than life itself. Because of Lucretia’s story of life and death in this manner a whole empire was transformed in the way it was governed. Death over dishonor for Lucretia exemplified the ideal Roman virtue of nobility. Lucretia’s suicide created an urgent need to avenge the wrongs done to a virtuous women. Husband, Father, and friend were called upon by Lucretia to essentially extol the Roman virtues of courage, moral authority and dignity in avenging her rape and consequent death. Lucretia’s solution of suicide, in her mind, seems to be a statement of the societal position in the Roman world for women. It’s as though this act was the only way to absolve herself of this crime against her. Death over dishonor seems to be a theme that permeates the Roman culture as a virtue aspired to by both men and women. With the King’s

Paglia’s editorial discusses an extremely controversial topic in current society and will undoubtedly will have readers who disagree, because there are opinionated points. Rape is also a very touchy subject, especially if the opinion on the issue is unwarranted. The editorial itself is not a lengthy read, and does not provide much support for various claims. As a result, many of the points can be argued against and are sure to infuriate a handful of readers who have other views. Date rape is difficult to discuss because coming to a conclusion without much explanation is bound to make some readers upset.

The topic I chose to address within my creative media project was over the issue titled “little rapes” presented to me through Heather R. Hlavka’s article “Normalizing Sexual Violence: Young Women Account for Harassment and Abuse”. I chose to address this topic because despite the severity and the reoccurrence of this type of violence only a few victims reported their experience to authorities or to people who can help. Andrea Nelson and Pamela Oliver state (under certain rules), “…any girl who permits herself to be persuaded into sexual activity is weak and to blame, as is a girl who voluntarily enters a situation where she can be raped.” The justifications of these acts need to be stopped and solutions for these sexual acts are long overdue.

91% of victims of rape and sexual assault are females. During their freshman year of college, 15 percent of women are raped while incapacitated from alcohol or drugs. The consequences of these actions are becoming less serious; the victims do not have a voice. Rape is the most unreported crime in the United States. When intoxication is involved the seriousness of the crime is lowered. The main point of discussion is the issue of consent and non-strict laws for punishment. Solutions for these matters need to be established like more restrictions for rapists and mutual understanding of consent.

Most people think that rape is about sex but it is not. If rape was about getting sex the person would just go and have sex with someone who wants to give it to them. Paying for sex is better than going out and raping someone. Rape is also called sexual assault. Rape is about having power and control over someone. Rape is defined as one person forcing another person, without his or her consent and using violence or threatening violence, to have intercourse or other forms of sexual activity. Usually when people hear about rape they think of a man raping a woman, but rape can happen to anyone. It is one of the worst things that can happen to someone. Some people think that rape is