Saturday, October 5, 2019
Wabash Watershed Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Wabash Watershed - Essay Example There is also a relevant trend for the cycle of increase of temperature if we based it on the average annual maximum temperature in the Wabash valley watershed based on the 5-year and 10-year data from 1961 to 1990. It started higher somewhere in 1961 then went to a downward spiral somewhere in 1981 and 1982, but again it surged higher back to the temperature equivalent to almost one unit experienced in 1961 based on a 10-year covered data. The above trends are consistent with the overall trend of the average annual temperature in the Wabash valley watershed. There is a remarkable cycle of temperature increase, starting with the lower one in 1961, then a relative increase along the way, and decrease in 1981 and again a remarkable increase of the graph slope until 1990. This trend significantly shows a cycle of temperature increase, but reveals us the point that in totality there is an observed temperature increase within the range of time between the years 1961 to 1990. To look at it a specific level, we can also observe the average daily temperature range in the Wabash valley watershed. The graphical representation shows a downward trend from 1961 to 1990 based on the average 5 and 10-year data. This is in fulfilment to the envisioned scenario of some theorists that there is a more pronounced warming of minimum temperatures than maximum temperatures, which we can relatively observe as realistic if we based in on the graphical trend representations. Furthermore, this could be observed from a reduced range of temperatures, which we significantly see from the decreasing trend of the average daily temperature from 1961 to 1990, as the 5-year and 10-year average data show. The evidence of drought and water surplus To investigate the evidence of drought and water surplus conditions for inland or continental locations, we can look at the trends in precipitation amounts and the frequency of certain amounts of precipitation taking place at Wabash valley watershed. Glob al warming theorists believe that global warming phenomenon foresees drought and less surplus water conditions for inland or continental locations. The average annual precipitation in the Wabash valley watershed generally has an increasing trend starting from 1961 to 1990 and if we also based it on the 5-year and 10-year data. On the average annual days of light precipitation in the Wabash valley watershed, the trend remarkably goes high and even higher starting from 1982 to 1990, 5-year and 10-year data. This trend is also remarkably observed if we based it on the average annual days of precipitation in the Wabash valley watershed, as there is a depiction of increasing trend from 1961 to 1990. On the other hand, the average annual surplus in the Wabash valley watershed relatively increases to fewer inches, higher in fewer inches from 1961 compared to the level in 1990. Between these corresponding years, there is also evidence to suggest that the surplus level tends to maintain a hi gher trend compared from 1961. Expectation from a warming climate As there is evidence to support the overall warming of the environment based on the data generated from Wabash valley watershed, the average annual actual evapotranspiration has an increasing trend starting from 1961 to 1990.
Friday, October 4, 2019
The Rocking-Horse Winner by D. H. Lawrence Research Paper
The Rocking-Horse Winner by D. H. Lawrence - Research Paper Example The author addresses different social features in the form of themes. Among the most evident themes in the story are poverty, cohesions in the family institution and death among many others. By addressing such, the author provides a relative portrayal of the early English society from his point of view (Barrett, Thomas and Lawrence 121). Art is a cultural product that provides a relative representation of the society. The relativity of art arises from the angles of adoptions preferred by the artists. As an artist, D. H. Lawrence seeks to portray the early English society. He investigates the social structure of the time thus writes a story that typifies specific social features that he believes are of relevance to the people. Poverty for example has remained a major factor in most societies as people strive to obtain a living through their merger earnings. The author thus uses an imaginary family and imaginary characters to depict the effects of poverty on family relations. The story centers on the life of a middle class early English woman who believed she had no luck. Her husband strives to make a living out of arts but his endeavors do not pay off thus compelling the family to live miserably in poverty. Poverty is a state of deprival as people fail to afford a decent living. The same is the case with the family that struggles with the need to sustain the womanââ¬â¢s high profile life since she is an extravagant spender. In an attempt to help his family, her son takes to gambling and realizes that he is lucky as she predicts the winning horse in the local rocking competition. He however practice hard on his rocking horse thus acquires an infection and dies at the end of the story. The mother does not change her lifestyle and even as the boy dies the family makes a hefty eighty thousand pounds that the woman spends extravagantly (Lawrence 31). The author centers the story on fundamental social features and institutions that define the nature of life in soci eties. in doing this, the author understands the need to achieve some relevance with his audience and therefore uses familiar social features which help earn the story the much desired relevance. Such activities as horse rocking were common in the early European culture and therefore relevant to the society. The same is attributable to such features as the family institution, poverty and even death. The relationship among the members of the family is an equally important determinant of the peace and stability in the family. The author analyses the need for peace and love in a family by portraying the nature of the family in the story. The woman, Hester does not love her son Paul who on the other hand loves his mother and therefore strives to support the family. The lack of maternal love compels the boy to hide some secrets from the mother. He takes to gambling secretly and only tells his father much later when he realizes that the family situation is overwhelming the old man. Anothe r important determinant of the relevance of the book among its diverse audience group is the use of language. The language an author uses to develop a story helps define an audience for the story thus earing their acknowledgement of the work. Additionally, the language among other literary features helps portray the authorsââ¬â¢ professionalism and ability to communicate to the specific target audience. Lawrenceââ¬â¢s story targets a general readership. This implies that the story
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Belonging is a fluid notion Essay Example for Free
Belonging is a fluid notion Essay Ones understanding of social identity is instrumental in constructing a sense of individual identity. It is dependent on our circumstances in particular our interaction with others and our own perceptions between connection and disconnection. This idea can be explored through a selection of famous poems written by Emily Dickinson in the 1800ââ¬â¢s namely, ââ¬Å"The saddest noise, the sweetest noiseâ⬠, ââ¬Å"This is my letter to the world and ââ¬Å" I was hungry all the yearsâ⬠. The 2010 film Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofksy displays masterful use of film techniques to emphasize and illustrate the themes of good versus Evil, Seeking Perfection and Nature versus Nurture throughout the film. Belonging to oneself is often the hardest challenge a person has to face, through its ability to both destroy and fulfill. Emily Dickinsonââ¬â¢s poems portray this struggle as she tries to understand the world around her while struggling to find herself. In Dickinsonââ¬â¢s poem ââ¬Å"The saddest noise, the sweetest noiseâ⬠we get a glimpse of the paradox derived from the poem about the fine line between what is sweet and what is painful. The poem uses nature as a link to belonging through the description of ââ¬Ëthe saddest noise, the sweetest noiseââ¬â¢ of birds. The sound is used to consume the reader in the mindset that brings on a sense of both sadness and loss. The persona finds herself separated from those she loves and this is contrasted with the happy, sweet song of the birds, echoed with the lines ââ¬Ëit makes us thinkââ¬â¢. The saddest and sweetest noise is an explanation of the world around her but also the juxtaposition of sweet and sad within herse lf. In a more contemporary society Nina draws her sense of self from the stereotypes of civilisation. Black Swan directed by Darren Aronofsky is a psychological thriller portraying a production where the renowned Swan Lake is performed. The main character Nina is depicted as grappling with her sanity, ultimately compelling the audience to consider the many prevalent key themes explored in the film such as Good Vs Evil and the pursuit of perfection. Black Swan attempts to move responders into the mind of Nina, bringing them to feel and understand her struggle and pain. Aronofskyââ¬â¢s use of handheld tracking shots is effectively utilized to enhance and portray his key themes. The handheld tracking appears to control Nina in many scenes throughout the movie making her vulnerable and entices the audience to feel that she is being sought after. This technique makes it clear to the audience that Nina is trying to escape from the evil force that is gradually consuming her and taking control of her life. This particular film technique assists in highlighting to the audience Aronofskyââ¬â¢s themes of mental instability and the transformation from Good (symbolized by the White Swan) and Evil (symbolized by the Black Swan). The erratic movement from the hand held camera highlights to the viewer that Nina is delusional, physically and mentally unstable, as the dark presence she is escaping from is fictitious. Dolly shots were also another film technique that Aronofsky utilized in the film to highlight his themes. The opening scene in the movie is Nina dreaming of herself dancing as the Swan Queen. This initial scene highlights her desire for perfection. Use of dolly shots is evident in this scene as the camera tracks and focuses on the detailed movements of her feet, highlighting the movements required for success. There are no faults in each small, agile step and this illustrates Ninaââ¬â¢s desire of perfection. The smooth nature of the dolly shot illustrates her fluidity as she dances. The theme of seeking perfection permeates Black Swan as the main drive for Ninaââ¬â¢s success and ultimate demise. There is a parallel to Dickinson, who looked for perfection and solace in nature but her inability to connect with society became an insurmountable obstacle that she never overcome. Throughout Black Swan we see Ninaââ¬â¢s struggle to belong through her own perceptions. Her circumstance is dependent on her own achievements and dreams, not the interaction with others and the sense of belonging. This much like Emily Dickinson is a key idea highlighted in Dickinsonââ¬â¢s poem ââ¬ËThis is my letter to the worldâ⬠This poem depicts Dickinsonââ¬â¢s seclusion from the word at large. The poem delves into the perception made in Dickinsonââ¬â¢s clouded mind about the world around her. She depicts a distance from other, ââ¬Ëthey never wrote to meââ¬â¢. Immediately suggesting her perception of disconnection from world that never tried to understand her. She appears to be an isolated figure in the face of the world and her lack of connection with others is finally suggested in the last plea, ââ¬Ëjudge tenderly of meââ¬â¢. The addition of this plea to the final lines of the poem prescribes an immediate negative connotation from readers. Dickinson does not indicate a change in herself, however she is asking for the ââ¬Ëworldââ¬â¢ to think with care about her and her place. This fragile and vulnerable poem is merely a concealment of the strength Dickinson withholds, much like that of Nina in Black Swan. Both these texts depict a clear perception of their disconnection with society but are however an understanding of their unique qualities. Black Swan is a film that challenges the audience, constantly blurring the lines between reality and imagination, much like Dickinsonââ¬â¢s dense metaphoric poems. Duality is shown throughout the film with strong contrast between black and white. With purity in the color white is contrasted with the devil color black, depicting good and evil. As belonging to oneself is a struggle, Aronofksy clearly depicts this through Ninaââ¬â¢s battle to achieve the Black Swan, which essentially becomes her alter ego. This struggle comes from her inability to seduce and trick which, as an effect is exactly how the film makes the audience feel. The cinematography in the film is much like ballet ââ¬â tight and perfect however this sense begins to unwind as the movie moves to a close. A montage is used to capture fast shots that vary in angles and length so that the viewer loses any sense of what is occurring and becomes overwhelmed by the loud, fast music that mirrors the speed of the shots . This highlight to the viewer that Nina has lost control and no longer has the restraint and discipline that comes with ballet. Throughout the montage several snippets of the black swan contrasting with the white swan show clearly to the viewer the transformation and her change in behavior which reflects the expectations of her mother and deprived upbringing. The comparison between deprivation and hunger can be used as a clear link between Black Swan and Dickinsonââ¬â¢s poem ââ¬ËI have been hungry all the yearsââ¬â¢. Dickinson uses an extended gastronomic metaphor to depict a fulfilling life chasing the pursuit and attainment of love. Her elegantly elaborated process of dining portrays this however the metaphor is merely a basic literary technique emphasizing the speakerââ¬â¢s estrangement from such fulfillment. Dickinson contrasts herself to the descriptive love feast with ââ¬Å"wineâ⬠and ââ¬Å"ample breadâ⬠to ââ¬ËI had been hungry all the yearsââ¬â¢. The extremity of hunger is coupled with the extended time period of years, to suggest her deprivation from the fulfillment of life from birth. Belonging to oneself stems from our own perceptions between connection and disconnection and both Dickinsonââ¬â¢s and Darren Aronofskyââ¬â¢s 2010 film Black Swan, portray this theory to a crystal clear extent. Ones understanding of social identity are instrumental in constructing a sense of individual identity. In conclusion both texts demonstrate the key idea that belonging to oneself comes from first ââ¬â an understanding of the world. Dickinsonââ¬â¢s isolation was a calculated choice, much like that of Nina. This decision sprung from their dedication to their arts and an understanding of the world outside their mind. It defines the idea that our perceptions of connection and disconnection are crucial in the discovery of oneself.
How Propaganda Is Used In Advertising Media Essay
How Propaganda Is Used In Advertising Media Essay Propaganda is a systematic, widespread dissemination or promotion of particular ideas, doctrines, practices, etc. Some use it to cause or to damage an opposing one. While it is true that many of the techniques associated with propaganda are also used in the practice of advertising or public relations, the term propaganda is usually applied to efforts to promote a particular political viewpoint. Additionally, propaganda can be used to promote specific religious views. Furthermore, companies use propaganda to persuade consumers into buying their product, and, sadly, misinformation is found all around people in magazines, on television, on billboards, and in movies. Subconsciously, people let the use of propaganda influence their decision to purchase items that they often would not buy. Advertisers lean heavily on propaganda to sell products, whether the products are a brand of toothpaste, a candidate for office, or a particular political viewpoint. Although propaganda may seem relevant only in the political arena, the concept can be applied fruitfully to the way products and ideas are sold in advertising. All around us, we can see a lot of propaganda ads on television, magazine, newspaper, and etc. Propaganda is a systematic effort to influence peoples opinions, to win them over to a certain view or side. I believe we have been influenced by the propaganda advertisements. Some psychologists point of view considers that propaganda is in fact changing our mind and heart, because they make our spirits full of material desires. For instance, sometimes we purchase something that we dont even need because of our desire. Ã Maybe we are not really aware of how big influence propaganda is in our daily life. Undeniably, propaganda alters our value of living. Therefore, we cannot under estimate the propaganda power. Five Types of Propaganda Used in Advertising There are five types of propaganda used in advertising. The first type is called bandwagon. Bandwagon is persuading a consumer by telling them that others are doing the same thing. An example is in soft drink adverts there will be many attractive young people having fun on a beach. This method is commonly used is cosmetics adverts, The use of a celebrity model and the affordability of the cosmetics sways the customers choice in investing in the product because the celebrity is doing it then it will also make the consumer look as good as the model. The second type is called testimonial. Testimonial is when a product is sold by using words from famous people or an authority figure. An example of testimonial is, Nine out of ten dentists recommend this type of toothpaste. The next type is transfer, which is when a product is sold by the name or picture of a famous person or thing, but no words from the person or thing, for example political advertisements might use political party slogan to help sell the product. The fourth type of propaganda techniques that is used is repetition. Repetition is when the products name is repeated at least four times in the advert. The last type is called emotional words. That is when words that will make a consumer feel strongly about someone or something are used. For example, David Beckham sells his perfume by showing a romantic love seen and just putting the word romance on the advert. The five propaganda techniques can be extremely successful in selling. THE AIM OF PROPAGANDA IN ADVERTISING The aims of propaganda are to bring a message across to a large group of people with the intention to change or manipulate their views. These influences could be biased or quite untruthful depending on what the propagandist is promoting. The idea of propaganda is sometimes used to encourage or motivate persons where other uses are to present an impression that the propagandist what to create to that particular audience. Some forms of propaganda gives versions of the truth, which could be argued to be the same to advertisements, where other forms are almost untruthful and misleading. The benefits of propaganda can control and influence peoples attitudes in which therefore can often achieve the response the propagandist wanted from them. The effect of this can be very powerful and strongly mesmerising in terms of peoples beliefs to what the propaganda is promoting (even if this is not true). It also has the potential to arouse emotion and a personal response or attitude to the prospect ive offered by the propagandist. Then, the recipient affected by forms of propaganda would believe that the decision made by them was on their own and independent. It brings a message and strong motifs to an audience that if effective can overwhelm that audience and influence them profoundly. This form of propaganda allows peoples conscience to judge or make a decision, influenced through a message or image portrayed by the propagandist, which has the capability to change or manipulate your own views. Propaganda in advertisements can be powerful and have an extreme impact on an audience. In todays modern culture television companies limit the use of certain advertisements and have numerous restrictions, bound by law, to control and monitor the use propaganda influenced within the advertising campaign broadcasted. There are elements of the truth within the advertisement although such features that are found unknown or inaccurate become a distinctive use of propaganda. In contrast, pr opaganda has the potential to give versions of the truth and often matters that precipitate no factual information or contain little reliable sources. In advertising the product/message or image the company is attempting to promote must be truthful and able to trust where in comparison to propaganda this can be greatly misleading and untruthful to the extent of the purpose the propagandist is trying to create. These can include exaggerated misconceptions with the intentions to produce psychological, social and cultural change in terms of attitudes and views of an audience. Therefore propaganda within advertisements, the message can be promoted on a much larger scale, with potential outcomes of public belief and national appeasement receiving the result the propagandist or advertising campaign had attempted to create. The technique using propaganda in advertisements would work well; influencing major populations to consume or follow the campaign published nationwide, change or alter attitudes or beliefs to the message and furthermore gain the support and trust to what the propagandist is promoting. It is almost impossible to imagine advertisement campaigns using propaganda to influence people to its maximum potential or maximum responsive capacity, where great audiences would believe and fall under false pretences of what the propagandist/s is promoting to them. If advertising was to comprise with elements of propaganda people would feel more inclined to listen, read or engage with whatever he/she were promoting. The major aspects of modern world advertisements and promotion campaigns have been under the influence of technology and worldwide communications to support their cause. These such movements and developing opportunities in the future expanding through countries and the world are likely to have significant impact on peoples and populations in the propaganda and advertisement campaigning departments, readily available to promote and influence various aud iences. Propaganda can be sent across in many and all types of media. Propaganda can be radio and television broadcasts, leaflets, posters, hoardings etc. BAD IMPACT CAUSED BY PROPAGANDA With false advertisement on one hand and deceitful public relations on the other it is difficult not to be affected. Ã As an overweight person it was always difficult to watch infomercials with false claims of weight reduction, or TV commercials claiming their makeup would create a flawless finish, because inevitably it never worked. However, the media is full of thin, beautiful people with flawless skin and trim bodies. The result of the misleading advertising and the impression that perfection was attainable made the failure of reaching that goal destructive. Ã The media impresses falsely that flawlessness is the norm and the epitome of beauty. Poor self-esteem often leading to depression was not only a personal and painful result of this perception but is an epidemic among young women across the country. The negative impact of advertising and the poor reputation of public relations officials created a general distrust of media in general. Public relations are supposed to be mutually beneficial, but when companies have been found guilty of manipulating events and information to suit their purposes only, they cannot be trusted fully. The lack of trust in the media fuelled a desire to actively research products and services before committing to them and to become self educated on public issues so as not to depend on the media for the entire truth. Ã It is a persons right to know the truth, whether it be a product, service, or public relations issue. The self educating tactic turned the destructive force behind the media into an action of empowerment. Would this act of empowerment have occurred otherwise? If people were shielded from the media would they seek to inform themselves? Ã Maybe, but for the majority of the population the answer is probably no, simply because they would be unaware of what they were missing. Ã The desire to seek out the truth is not there if one is unaware that there is an untruth to begin with. Furthermore, without the media world issues and events would remain mostly isolated. Ã Our knowledge of the world around us is in great part due to the media. Ã Admittedly, without the influence of the media esteem issues would probably remain though to a much lesser extent, but products would be less exciting and probably less effective than they are now. Ã Regardless of the annoyances and potential destruction that advertising and public relations can cause it is a reality that they serve an important purpose. Ã Without public relations no one would feel the need to inform or educate the public at all regarding events that involve or affect them and the world they live in. Ã Without advertisements companies would not strive to improve their products over the competition thus creating superior products. Without these driving forces in peoples lives there would be an information gap of incredible magnitude and a lack of creativity. Ã Although potentially destructive without firm operating standards, codes of ethics and legal ramifications, advertising and public relations are undeniably important aspects of our culture.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
The American Revolution, A Fight for Colonial Independence Essay
ââ¬Å"Is there a single trait of resemblance between those few towns and a great and growing people spread over a vast quarter of the globe, separated by a mighty ocean?â⬠This question posed by Edmund Burke was in the hearts of nearly every colonist before the colonies gained their independence from Britain. The colonistsââ¬â¢ heritage was largely British, as was their outlook on a great array of subjects; however, the position and prejudices they held concerning their independence were comprised entirely from American ingenuity. This identity crisis of these ââ¬Å"British Americansâ⬠played an enormous role in the colonistsââ¬â¢ battle for independence, and paved the road to revolution. As a result of the French and Indian War, Englandââ¬â¢s attention became focused on the areas that required tending by the government other than North America, which provided the colonies with the one thing that ensured the downfall of Britainââ¬â¢s monarchial reign over America: salutary neglect. The unmonitored inhabitants of the colonies accustomed themselves to a level of independence that they had never possessed before, and when these rights were jeopardized by the enforcement of the Stamp Act after the Seven Yearââ¬â¢s War, the colonists would not take it lying down. The colonies bound together in rebellion against the taxation without representation through boycotting the use of English goods, as embodied by Benjamin Franklinââ¬â¢s famous drawing of a snake; the ââ¬Å"Join or Dieâ⬠snake, as a whole representing the functionality and ââ¬Å"lifeâ⬠of the colonies if they would work together, also forewarns the uselessness and ââ¬Å"deathâ⬠of the individual regions, suggesting that the colonies as a whole would have to fight the revolution against the Mother Country or else fail miserably... ...07-1788. Source: Thomas Bailey, The American Pageant, 11th Edition, 1998. Source: Thomas Bailey, The American Pageant, 11th Edition, 1998. Works Cited: Edmund Burke, ââ¬Å"Notes for Speech in Parliament, 3 February 1766â⬠Thomas Bailey, The American Pageant, 11th Edition, 1998 Hector St. John Crà ¨vecoeur, Letters from an American Farmer, composed in the 1770's, published 1781 Ellis, Elser, World History: Connections to Today, 2001 Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania Gazette, 1754 Richard Henry Lee to Arthur Lee, 24 February 1774 Declaration for the Causes of Taking up Arms, Continental Congress, 6 July 1775 Mather Byles, Cotton Mather's grandson, to Nathaniel Emmons, Arthur Wentworth Hamilton Eaton, The Famous Mather Byles: The Noted Boston Tory Preacher, Poet and Wit, 1707-1788 Thomas Bailey, The American Pageant, 11th Edition, 1998
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Effects of Segregation and Racism in Of Mice and Men Chapter 4 :: John Steinbeck
In the story, Crooks' home is, "a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn." This suggests that he is isolated from the other men and treated like the animals he cares for and as such is made to live with them. Crooks' "bunk" was actually a long box filled with straw, which could further reinforce the fact that he is treated like an animal or it could show that he is poor and has low, if any social status. To say that Steinbeck seems to make his characters seem low and poor, Crooks seems to have a number of pleasant possessions, however, some are damaged but this could represent their amount of use. These include, "a single barreled shotgun" which suggests that he feels threatened and needs protection, although it could be a trophy from previous times in his past that he would like to remember. Also, he owns a "big alarm clock" which may show that he is punctual, ordered and that he requires being on time given the job but it may also show that because he is isolated from the other men, he relies less on others to awaken him in the mornings. ?A tattered dictionary? is another of his personal items, which could define his character as intelligent, but that he wants to be seen and it could be a way to prevent his constant loneliness from being a problem. Another piece of his home comes in the form of ?a mauled copy of the California civil code,? which can be used to represent his character?s intelligence plus that he reads to escape solitude, in addition to this point, as a coloured person in those times, Crooks? life must have been difficult, knowing his right as a person could aid in protection with which he needs. The last article in Crooks? inventory of significance would be his ?gold-rimmed spectacles,? which could enable him to see clearly, but may also allow him to view the world in a different perspective. The last point regarding Crooks? room may perhaps be seen as a relevant one, ?this room was swept and fairly neat?? could illustrate Crooks as a proud, aloof man. Finally, the fact that Crooks keeps his distance and demands that others keep theirs could again reinforce the point that he feels threatened and this would keep him protected. When Lennie enters the room, we learn more about the effects of isolation. Effects of Segregation and Racism in Of Mice and Men Chapter 4 :: John Steinbeck In the story, Crooks' home is, "a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn." This suggests that he is isolated from the other men and treated like the animals he cares for and as such is made to live with them. Crooks' "bunk" was actually a long box filled with straw, which could further reinforce the fact that he is treated like an animal or it could show that he is poor and has low, if any social status. To say that Steinbeck seems to make his characters seem low and poor, Crooks seems to have a number of pleasant possessions, however, some are damaged but this could represent their amount of use. These include, "a single barreled shotgun" which suggests that he feels threatened and needs protection, although it could be a trophy from previous times in his past that he would like to remember. Also, he owns a "big alarm clock" which may show that he is punctual, ordered and that he requires being on time given the job but it may also show that because he is isolated from the other men, he relies less on others to awaken him in the mornings. ?A tattered dictionary? is another of his personal items, which could define his character as intelligent, but that he wants to be seen and it could be a way to prevent his constant loneliness from being a problem. Another piece of his home comes in the form of ?a mauled copy of the California civil code,? which can be used to represent his character?s intelligence plus that he reads to escape solitude, in addition to this point, as a coloured person in those times, Crooks? life must have been difficult, knowing his right as a person could aid in protection with which he needs. The last article in Crooks? inventory of significance would be his ?gold-rimmed spectacles,? which could enable him to see clearly, but may also allow him to view the world in a different perspective. The last point regarding Crooks? room may perhaps be seen as a relevant one, ?this room was swept and fairly neat?? could illustrate Crooks as a proud, aloof man. Finally, the fact that Crooks keeps his distance and demands that others keep theirs could again reinforce the point that he feels threatened and this would keep him protected. When Lennie enters the room, we learn more about the effects of isolation.
Cult of Thinness
The author talks about the different ways in which the American popular culture, families, schools, peer groups, and the health and fitness industry undermine womenââ¬â¢s self-confidence as they instill the notions that thinness is beauty and that a woman's body is more important than her mind. She makes it known that there are many different factors as to why there is such a need to be thin these days and why there are so many eating disorders in our society. She blames the media as one of the leading contributing factors as to why our society is consumed with dieting, being thin, and body image and I agree with this.I believe that the media system is corrupt and it influences most of our perceptions, especially women. For example on magazine covers, there are usually pictures of women in bikinis, or even topless showing off their skinny bodies. And in beauty commercials, its usually skinny, tall women used to advertise beauty products. This images and frames are what is branded by media and society as ââ¬Å"looking goodâ⬠or ââ¬Å"being sexyâ⬠; as a result of this, women especially adolescents and young adults compare themselves to these models and feel inadequate.They feel like that is how they are meant to look and may end up dieting or starving themselves or even in more tragic consequences undergo surgery. A 12 year old girl stated, ââ¬Å"When I see those twigs of people in the magazines and on TV, I say, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m going to go on a diet. â⬠You almost want to get thin just so you can wear the right clothes. I watch all my junior high friends ââ¬â they look like something out of a magazineâ⬠. However, the author also talks about some cultures that think that voluptuous, curvy women are a sign of prosperity and also an indicator of their ability to cook and take care of their family
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