Sodom and Gomorrah - Andrew
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Sodom and Gomorrah, one of the most infamous biblical story about destruction and God’s wrath, is found at Genesis chapter 19 phrases 1 to 38. Relying on the theme like “punishment of the wicked”, and “wrath of God”, Sodom and Gomorrah are the most frequently visited allusion when it comes to those themes. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah are rather seriously depicted than most biblical stories in the Genesis. When the wrath of God reached the climax, he decided to rain fire into Sodom and Gomorrah, where everyone in the city will not only die in pain, but they will also greet their “second death” by falling into the lake of sulfur and fire. The allusion is frequently visited when discussing the topic destruction, or punishment of sinners. Even though the biblical story focuses on the “sin” and its influence to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, which eventually led God to wipe out the entire cities, the destruction and desolation parts of the story are more regularly used as allusions. Unlike stories like David and Goliath, the “action” of what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah are much more used as allusions, rather than the moral and the values of the story. Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities once destroyed by the wrath of God, has a morally rich story, where God searches for the last “good people” of the cities and saves them using angels before destroying the city, providing safety and mercy upon his people. However, when it comes to the allusion of Sodom and Gomorrah, it’s turned upside down. Even though they are frequently used references, they not only lack flexibility of the usage, but are rather “extreme” allusions to use it many instances.
Example 1 - Game (Fallout 3 - New Vegas)
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Nipton is a small town appeared in Fallout 3 : New Vegas
The background story of Nipton is very similar to Sodom and Gomorrah. Nipton was a town full of corrupt gamblers, thieves, and prostitutes under a corrupt mayor. One day, the "Legion" (army of the game) hit the town to "educate" the corrupt people of Nipton. They opened a lottery, where the winners were spared from being killed, runner up crippled, third place became slaves. All the rest were burnt and crucified.
This is very similar to the bible story, where the city of wicked were directly "punished" from God
The background story of Nipton is very similar to Sodom and Gomorrah. Nipton was a town full of corrupt gamblers, thieves, and prostitutes under a corrupt mayor. One day, the "Legion" (army of the game) hit the town to "educate" the corrupt people of Nipton. They opened a lottery, where the winners were spared from being killed, runner up crippled, third place became slaves. All the rest were burnt and crucified.
This is very similar to the bible story, where the city of wicked were directly "punished" from God
There is a casino named "Gomorrah" in the town
There are more references in the town that link the town to Sodom and Gomorrah, such as the fire and brimstone signs
There are more references in the town that link the town to Sodom and Gomorrah, such as the fire and brimstone signs
Example 2 - Movie (Se7en)
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Summary of scene : John Doe (bald) is a serial killer who killed 6 men in couple months. He planned everything from years before, but he suddenly turns himself into the police after confessing. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt are taking him in a police to a place he requested
People who died at Sodom and Gomorrah were extremely wicked, sinful people that even disgusted God
John Doe says "I don't mourn for them than the thousands that died at Sodom and Gomorrah"
He means he doesn't feel absolutely ANYTHING for those who he killed than those wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah
People who died at Sodom and Gomorrah were extremely wicked, sinful people that even disgusted God
John Doe says "I don't mourn for them than the thousands that died at Sodom and Gomorrah"
He means he doesn't feel absolutely ANYTHING for those who he killed than those wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah
Example 3 - Book (War of the Worlds)
•"Why are these things permitted? What sins have we done? The morning service was over, I was walking through the roads to clear my brain for the afternoon, and then--fire, earthquake, death! As if it were Sodom and Gomorrah! All our work undone, all the work---- What are these Martians?“
Just like any other allusions of Sodom and Gomorrah, the quote focuses on the "destruction" part of the story
Just like any other allusions of Sodom and Gomorrah, the quote focuses on the "destruction" part of the story
Example 4 - Television Show (The Big Bang Theory)
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Brief summary of the scene : Sheldon's barber is sick, and he wants a new "proper" barber. Amy recommends Supercut, but Sheldon says it's "Sodom and Gomorrah with mousse"
The scene depicted comically, but the allusion is still depicting the place of total destruction and agony
Mousse is a popular desert that is extremely sweet, fluffy, and delicious
Sheldon is using the allusion to compare Supercut to a "living hell" with a piece of delicious mousse to sooth the agony.
The scene depicted comically, but the allusion is still depicting the place of total destruction and agony
Mousse is a popular desert that is extremely sweet, fluffy, and delicious
Sheldon is using the allusion to compare Supercut to a "living hell" with a piece of delicious mousse to sooth the agony.
Sources
"Nipton." Fallout Wiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Nipton>.
Wells, H. G. "How I Fell in with the Curate." The War of the Worlds. New York: Epstein and Carroll Associates]; Distributed by Random House, 1960. N. pag. The War of the Worlds. Web Edition Edited by John Walker. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/www/warworlds/b1c13.html>.
"Genesis 19." BibleGateway. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide., n.d. Web. <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis 19>.
Wells, H. G. "How I Fell in with the Curate." The War of the Worlds. New York: Epstein and Carroll Associates]; Distributed by Random House, 1960. N. pag. The War of the Worlds. Web Edition Edited by John Walker. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/www/warworlds/b1c13.html>.
"Genesis 19." BibleGateway. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide., n.d. Web. <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis 19>.