Compare Contrast Fiction Essay - 794 Words

Compare Contrast: The Rocking-Horse Winner/The Lottery ENGL 102_B40: Literature and Composition Spring 2011 Michaela Gates L23562144 APA Gambling, whether for life or money, is risky and success is not guaranteed, even if you ‘win’. Two different tales both involving risk. 1. Gambling for something valuable - One for life and the other for money 2. Characters’ Personalities - Paul was hopeful and cared deeply for his family - Tessie while also hopeful cared more about herself 3. Imagery - Paul: fortunate and hopeful - Tessie: unfortunate and unpleasant 4. Summary: Paul is more successful Compare Contrast Essay: The†¦show more content†¦Tessie’s personality is somewhat similar to Paul’s but they also have their differences. Paul is very hopeful about winning the money his family needs, he has an incredible love for his mother. He is also very passionate about horse-races. He has a real gift for picking a winner and it’s this attitude that leads him to make money for his mother and save their house from haunting them. Tessie is also hopeful, hopeful that she will not ‘win’ the lottery. Of course, we find as we read that this doesn’t happen. Tessie does ‘win’ the lottery and she seems to be the only one that is saddened by this fact. Little Paul is a very hopeful, fortunate boy. He so vividly pictures the horse races to come while riding his rocking-horse, it’s as if he’s in the race himself and the rocking-horse is the winning horse. In â€Å"The Rocking-Horse Winner†, Lawrence really paints a imaginative pict ure with descriptions such as with Paul’s big blue eyes that had an uncanny cold fire in them†, and in â€Å"The Lottery† Jackson paints a picture with words such as The towns children are collecting rocks like young children regularly do. The men are speaking of rain, planting, tractors and taxes. The women are making small talk with one another. It seems like a regular day in a regular town.† So, in both stories the setting is different and the people are different but they have a similarity in the fact that they are all gambling for something, whether good or bad. In reading theseShow MoreRelatedENG 102 fiction essay instruction768 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Fiction Essay Instructions In Module/Week 3, you will write a 750-word (about 3–4-pages) essay that compares and contrasts 2 stories from the Fiction Unit. Before you begin writing the essay, carefully read the guidelines for developing your paper topic that are given below. Review the Fiction Essay Grading Rubric to see how your submission will be graded. Gather all of your information, plan the direction of your essay, and organize your ideas by developing a 1-page thesis statement and outlineRead MoreEssay on Eng 102 Short Story735 Words   |  3 PagesFiction Essay Thesis and Outline Instructions    In Module/Week 3, you will write a 750-words (about 3–4-pages) essay that compares and contrasts two stories from the Fiction Unit.   Before you begin writing the essay, carefully read the guidelines for developing your paper topic that are given below.   Review the Fiction Essay Grading Rubric to see how your submission will be graded.   Gather all of your information, plan the direction of your essay, and organize your ideas by developing a one-pageRead MoreEngl 102 Fiction Essay770 Words   |  4 PagesENGL 102 Fiction Essay Liberty University Online Micheal McIntosh Fiction Essay The first of the two stories I chose to compare and contrast is titled â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson and the second story is titled â€Å"The Rocking-Horse Winner† by D.H. Lawrence. I will compare each of their themes, characters, and plot developments in which they are both similar and different. One of the strongest comparison would be that both stories deal with the subject of luckRead MoreThe Lottery950 Words   |  4 PagesFebruary 2, 2015 Young Goodman Brown amp; The Lottery A review of both stories In this essay I will take the time to review two stories both of the fiction nature. I will discuss the conflicts of both stories as well as the plot structure. I will talk about the characters and give my point of view. Both stories are very thought provoking which should make this very interesting to compare and contrast. In the story of â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† we can understand the setting from what the limitedRead MoreNorth And South By Elizabeth Cleghorn1128 Words   |  5 Pagesreason for this piece is to compare and contrast fiction and nonfiction writings from a selected time period. The time period I chose was the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution was when societies went from making everything by hand to using machines and factories. It was a huge leap in human achievement and helped businesses make a lot more money than they used to, but also forced lower class people to work long hours in factories to produce goods. For the fiction writings, I chose the bookRead MoreFiction Essay1407 Words   |  6 PagesEnglish 102 B43– Literature and Composition Spring 2014 Term A Jessica Jack, Student ID#25840627 APA Format Compare and Contrast Short Story Fiction Essay Jessica Jack Liberty University English 102-B43 Outline for Compare and Contrast Essay Thesis: â€Å"The Rocking-Horse Winner† by D.H. Lawrence and â€Å"The Lottery†, by Shirley Jackson provide two contrasting uses of Setting in a short story which accentuate the importance of the element in a story. One author has the ability to distractRead MoreEssay Writing Forms and Styles1402 Words   |  6 Pages------------------------------------------------- Forms and styles This section describes the different forms and styles of essay writing. These forms and styles are used by a range of authors, including university students and professional essayists. [edit]Cause and effect The defining features of a cause and effect essay are causal chains that connect from a cause to an effect, careful language, and chronological or emphatic order. A writer using this rhetorical method must consider the subjectRead MoreA Comparison of The Chrysalids and Animal Farm Essay765 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and Contrast Essay In our contemporary civilization, it is evident that different people have somewhat different personalities and that novels behold essential and key roles in our daily lives; they shape and influence our world in numerous ways via the themes and messages expressed by the authors. It is so, due to the different likes of our population, that we find numerous types and genres of books on our bookshelves, each possessing its own audience of readers and fans. In this compareRead MoreComparison Between John Smith and William Bradford737 Words   |  3 PagesAlso, William Bradford another pilgrim who arrived to Plymouth on the coast of Massachusetts, wrote a book called â€Å" Of Plymouth Plantation † in which he describes what really happened, how the pilgrims actually lived. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast both authors and their books. John Smith wrote about the wonderful place the New World was, on the other hand, William Bradford wrote about the realities an d difficulties of the New World. In â€Å" A Description of New England †, SmithRead MoreA Dolls House Play And Movie Analysis852 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and Contrast the Play â€Å"A Doll’s House† To the Movie Introduction The play â€Å"A Dolls House† by Henrik Ibsen was written in 1879. Joseph Losey and Patrick garland in 1973 used the play to adopt a movie version of the play going by the same name. The cast in the movies depicted the characters in the play as described by Henrik Ibsen. This essay will analyze the similarities and the differences between the play by Henrik Ibsen and the films adopted from the play by Joseph Losey and Patrick garland

The Picture Of Dorian Gray And The Great Gatsby Analysis

How should individuals satisfy their ambitions? In The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, written by Oscar Wilde, the theme of desires is addressed. The Great Gatsby is a novel about Jay Gatsby, a man who wants to reunion with his past lover, Daisy. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, Gatsby’s neighbour and friend who witnesses Gatsby’s romantic desires. Similarly, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel about the development of Dorian, from initial innocence to ultimate brutality, after he acquires the ability to stay eternally young while letting his portrait suffer the consequences of his sins. Overall, the two books are similar in nature in terms of the themes presented. Initially, the two†¦show more content†¦When Nick is describing Gatsby’s elaborate parties, he says, â€Å"People were not invited – they went there†¦ Once there they were introduced by somebody who knew Gatsby† (Fitzger ald 41). Gatsby does not care who attends his parties, rather his sole purpose is to attract people and to make himself known in the community. In contrast, when Dorian hosts dinners, he carefully selects people to attend and handpicks the decorations. Through attending, people feel that Dorian has â€Å"all the grace and distinction and perfect manner of a citizen of the world† (Wilde 130). Dorian’s hosts dinners not to gain popularity, but to strengthen the admiration that people have for him. In general, Gatsby and Dorian differ in their aspirations for personal motives and images in society. However, despite the differences in ambition, both characters act sinfully. To begin with, both characters act heartlessly. After Daisy hits Myrtle Wilson when driving Gatsby home, she escapes from the scene. Later, when Gatsby hears about Myrtle’s tragic death, he says, â€Å"I thought so; I told Daisy I thought so. It’s better that the shock should all come at once. She stood it pretty well† (Fitzgerald 143). Gatsby is completely unconcerned about the tragedy that has occurred to Myrtle, all he cares about is Daisy’s wellbeing. Also, after Dorian shows Basil the portrait that reflects all his sins, he â€Å"rushed at [Basil], and dug the knife into the great vein that is behind the ear,

Marketing Evaluation free essay sample

Your task is to describe and evaluate the marketing plan of an automobile brand and model of your choice. For the marketing aspect of your evaluation focus on a particular model not the whole company: for example consider the Chevrolet Camaro, not GM as a whole. For the situation analysis you will need to consider more than just specific model, i. e. what is the situation of GM as a whole and how is this impacting the marketing of your particular model. You focus should be primarily Canada while recognizing that for the situation analysis especially, there may be issues globally (e. . world economy) that will be relevant. These worksheets are designed to assist you in your project. Worksheets are a useful tool because they help to ensure that important information is not omitted from your evaluation. Answering the questions on these worksheets will enable you to: 1. Organize and structure the data and information you collect during the situation analysis. 2. Use this information to better understand your firms strengths and weaknesses and to recognize the opportunities and threats that exist in the marketing environment. 3. Identify if goals and objectives that capitalize on strengths. . Identify if a marketing strategy that creates competitive advantages. 5. Identify and critique a plan for implementing the marketing strategy. By downloading these worksheets in an electronic format, you will be able to change the outline or add additional information that is relevant to your situation. Remember that there is no one best way to organize an evaluation of a marketing plan. The outline was designed to provide an analytical framework and to be flexible enough to accommodate the unique characteristics of the company you are reviewing. It is possible that not everything in the worksheets will apply equally to your company. You could start by reviewing Figure 2. 6, the overview of the marketing planning process found on page 62 of the text. You should also review Table 2. 2 and appendix 2 of your text. As you complete the worksheets, you should refer back to the text of the chapters as suggested throughout. In completing the situation analysis section, be sure to be as comprehensive as possible. The viability of your analysis depends on how well you have identified all of the relevant environmental issues. Likewise, as you complete the analysis, you should be accurate and realistic about the firms characteristics. Do not attribute strengths to the firm that it does really does not possess. Being accurate also goes for your listing of weaknesses. I. Executive Summary The executive summary is a synopsis of the overall evaluation. The executive summary is easier to write if you do it last, after you have written the entire evaluation . Include a description of the product, the target market, and the need for it in the market. You should give an overview of the main points of your evaluation. Most importantly, keep in mind that this is your opportunity to sell your marketing plan and entice your audience to read the details of the report. Company Description and Input from Corporate Strategies (pp. 45 54) Include a description of the company’s recent history and successes and touch briefly upon the strategy for the organization as a whole. This may include elements such as: Mission Corporate objectives Strategic Business Unit (SBU) objectives (Figure 2. 1 on page 46 illustrates the stages in formulating a strategy for the company as a whole. ) III. Situation Analysis A situation analysis considers the internal circumstances of the organization or product, the external environment, competitive activity, and characteristics of the customer that may be relevant to the marketing plan. A situation analysis includes: †¢ Internal analysis †¢ Environmental analysis †¢ Customer analysis †¢ Competitive analysis A. Internal Analysis Review of marketing goals and objectives Identify the firms current marketing goals and objectives. State whether these goals and objectives are: Consistent with the firms mission Consistent with recent changes in the marketing or customer environments Leading to expected performance outcomes (sales volume, market share, profitability, awareness, brand preference) Review of current marketing performance Describe the firms current performance compared to other firms in the industry. Is the performance of the industry as a whole improving or declining? Why? If the firms performance is declining, what is the most likely cause (e. g. , environmental changes, flawed strategy, poor implementation)? Review of current and anticipated organizational resources Describe the current state of the firms organizational resources (e. g. , financial, capital, human, experience, relationships with key suppliers or customers). How are the levels of these resources likely to change in the future? If resource levels are expected to change: How can the firm leverage additional resources to meet customer needs better than competitors? How can the firm compensate for future constraints on its resources? Review of current and anticipated cultural and structural issues In terms of marketing strategy development and implementation, describe the positive and negative aspects of the current and anticipated culture of the firm. Examples could include: The firms overall customer orientation (or lack thereof) The firms emphasis on short-term vs. long-term planning Willingness of the culture to embrace change Internal politics and power struggles The overall position and importance of the marketing function Changes in key executive positions General employee satisfaction and morale B. Environmental Analysis Review Chapter 4 Economic Growth and Stability Identify the general economic conditions of the country, region, province, and local area in which the firm operates: Political, Legal, and Regulatory Issues Identify any political activities that affect the firm or the industry: Changes in elected officials (domestic or foreign) Industry (lobbying) groups Consumer groups Changes in Technology Identify ways that changing technology has affected the firms customers: Identify ways that changing technology has affected the way the firm or the industry operates Identify current technologies that the firm is not using to the fullest potential: Identify future technologies that may increase the risk of product obsolescence: Sociocultural Trends Identify changes in societys demographics and values that will affect the firm or the industry (if this becomes too broad, focus on the firms target customers): Explain the changes that shifting demographics and values will have on the firms: Identify any problems or opportunities that may be created by changes in the cultural diversity of the firms customers and employees: Identify any ecological issues (pollution, recycling, energy conservation) that the firm or industry is facing: Identify the ethical and social responsibility issues that the firm or industry is facing: C. Customer Analysis Review Chapters 6 7 There are seven general questions that marketers should ask about their customers: 1. Who are our actual and potential customers? 2. Why do they buy our product? 3. Why do others not buy our product? 4. Where do our customers buy our product? 5. How do they buy it? 6. When do they buy it? 7. What do they do with our product? Who are the firms current and potential customers? Describe the important identifying characteristics of the firms current and potential customers: Demographic Geographic Psychographic Product usage Identify the important players in the purchase process for the firms products: Purchasers (actual act of purchase) Users (actual product user) Influencers (influence the decision, make recommendations) Financial responsibility (who pays the bill? ) What do customers do with the firms products? Where do customers purchase the firms products? Identify any trends in purchase patterns across these outlets (e. g. , how e-commerce has, or could, change the way the firms products are purchased). When do customers purchase the firms products? Factors under the firms control Factors not under the firms control Why (and how) do customers select the firms products? Describe the basic benefits provided by the firms products relative to competing products: Describe the degree to which customers needs are being fulfilled by the firms products relative to competing products: Describe how customers needs are expected to change in the future. Describe the relative importance of transactional (short, one-time) vs. relational (long-term, ongoing) exchange processes when customers make a purchase: Why do potential customers not purchase the firms products? After answering these seven questions, then you can look at segmentation and positioning analysis (see p. 267 for positioning analysis and positioning maps). D. Competitive Analysis (pp. 121-12,; 295, 387) Identify the firms major competitors (brand, product, generic) Identify the characteristics of the firms major competitors: List any potential (future) competitors not identified in the preceding.

How to Write A Critical Précis Your Professor Will Never Forget

A critical prà ©cis is a type of academic writing where you summarize another piece of text, its main ideas and arguments, in particular, to provide insight into its authors thesis.So, it happened again. Your teacher assigned yet another paper to you. It sounds something like write a prà ©cis, in 800-1000 words (approximately four double-spaced pages), of the first two-thirds of Reading: An Intertextual Activity, by Robert Scholes. Your precis should cover Scholes’s essay through the top of page 28.And we can almost hear you thinking:What the heck is going on here, what is a precis?Derived from French, the word â€Å"prà ©cis† means a summary. So, if your professors give you such writing assignments, they want you to summarize some text and convey the summary in minimum words.A critical prà ©cis is a clear, concise, and logical summary of a passage preserving its essential ideas only.Before writing a prà ©cis, make sure you clearly understand its peculiarities and specification.The first and foremost:A prà ©cis is NOT an essay or re-writing. It shouldnt tell but summarize a core essence of the original document and provide readers with the information about its significance and worth.In other words:Even if your audience didnt read the original abstract, they should have a clear idea about its content and meaning after checking your prà ©cis. A prà ©cis explains the main point and structure of the original work but doesnt offer any evaluations or your personal reactions.A Critical Prà ©cis CharacteristicsWhen assigned to write a critical prà ©cis, make sure you understand its characteristics which are:A prà ©cis is a critical summary of writing abstracts.A prà ©cis is NOT re-writing or interpretation of the original.It is NOT written with words from the original, though you are welcome to use some quotes if appropriate.It summarizes the content of the original.A prà ©cis reveals a meaning of the original and explains its value.As a rul e, a prà ©cis is 1/4 of the original in length, except as noted.It follows the standard format: an authors thesis and methods he uses to represent it, results, and conclusion.Why do professors assign a critical prà ©cis writing to students?First, it helps them understand how good you are with critical thinking, summarizing, and highlighting the crucial information. And second, writing a prà ©cis is a great way of learning new material.A Critical Prà ©cis QualitiesA prà ©cis will demonstrate your writing skills to professors, as well as your ability to express your thoughts intelligibly. Make sure your paper highlights the following qualities:Clarity, which means your reader should understand what a writer intended to convey. Achieve it through using simple language and structure of your precis.Correctness, which means you should watch spelling, grammar, and punctuation you use, as well as facts, figures, and dates you address.Objectivity, which means candid construal of the inf ormation. Dont give your opinion in a prà ©cis.Coherence, which means the logical interconnection of the originals ideas. Your audience shouldnt lose their interest while reading.Conciseness, which means avoiding unnecessary details in your prà ©cis. Dont omit essential facts but avoid wordy expressions, repetitions, wateriness, etc.How to Write A Critical Prà ©cisâ€Å"I didnt have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.† ― Mark TwainOne of the most famous American essayists, Mr. Twain nailed it: short doesnt equal quick and easy to write, especially if you write a summary, not simple re-writing of the original. So, the process of writing a prà ©cis starts with critical reading and research:Read the original piece carefully.Specify its main points and arguments.Consider the evidence used by the author.Research unfamiliar material (definitions, statements, unknown words, data, etc.)Identify the appeals used by the writer.Evaluate how the author conveyed meaning.Restate the thesis.Write a 1-2 sentence summary of each section of the article.Describe the piece in your own words.Reread the article and compare it with your summary.Now its time to start writing the final draft of your critical prà ©cis. Begin with paraphrasing the thesis and your 1-2 sentence statements, then review it to make sure youve explained the main point, identified the evidence, and used the logical structure.Finally, check your prà ©cis for clarity, correctness, and coherence.This sample of a critical prà ©cis will help to understand the sense of such a writing assignment better.Sample 1:Sandra M. Gilbert, professor of English at the University of California, Davis, in her essay â€Å"Plain Jane’s Progress† (1977), suggests that Charlotte Brontà « intended Jane Eyre to resemble John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress in that Jane’s pilgrimage through a series of events based on the enclosure and escape motif eventually lead toward the equality that Brontà « herself sought. Gilbert supports this conclusion by using the structure of the novel to highlight the places Jane has been confined, the changes she undergoes during the process of escape, and the individuals and experiences that lead to her maturation concluding that this marriage of true minds at Ferndean – this is the way (501). Her purpose is to help readers see the role of women in Victorian England in order to help them understand the uniqueness and daring of Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s work. She establishes a formal relationship with her audience of literary scholars interested in feminist criticism who are familiar with the work of Brontà «, Bunyan, Lord Byron and others and are intrigued by feminist theory as it relates to Victorian literature.Source: Winthrop.eduFollow the StructureA critical prà ©cis is not an essay, but its structure looks the same. As well as an essay, a precis consists of three parts:IntroductionThis is a single sentence including the following information:the authorthe title of the piecethe date of its publishing (in parentheses)power verbs determining the authors thesis (such asâ€Å"explains†, â€Å"argues†, â€Å"proves†, etc.)the thesis itselfSome experts suggest starting your prà ©cis with a hook and then restate the authors thesis; others say this type of academic writing doesnt need hooks in introduction. The best decision would be asking a professor about the format of introduction you may use.Example of a critical prà ©cis introduction:BodyEach paragraph explains a separate section of the original piece, providing the authors evidence, purpose, and ideas. Dont forget that you cant interpret arguments from your point of view but should analyze the authors stands on an issue. Feel free to use quotes here, but be brief and attribute them correctly.This sample of a critical prà ©cis makes it all clear:Sample 2:In her article â€Å"Who Cares if Johnny Cant Read ?† (1997), Larissa MacFarquhar asserts that Americans are reading more than ever despite claims to the contrary and that it is time to reconsider why we value reading so much, especially certain kinds of â€Å"high culture† reading. MacFarquhar supports her claims about American reading habits with facts and statistics that compare past and present reading practices, and she challenges common assumptions by raising questions about readings intrinsic value. Her purpose is to dispel certain myths about reading in order to raise new and more important questions about the value of reading and other media in our culture. She seems to have a young, hip, somewhat irreverent audience in mind because her tome is sarcastic, and she suggests that the ides she opposes are old-fashioned positions.Source: Bakersfieldcollege.eduConclusionIt should restate the main idea. Summarize everything and remember to avoid any personal statements about the original piece.Source: TeacherWeb.comMo re samples needed to understand the nature of a critical prà ©cis and get a better idea of how to write it right? No problem!Sample 3:In her essay â€Å"Cyberspace and Identity† (1999), Sherry Turkle argues that â€Å"today’s life on the screen dramatizes and concretizes a range of cultural trends that encourage us to think of identity in terms of multiplicity and flexibility† (272). Turkle supports her assertion by juxtaposing theories of cyberspace and identity formation with older understandings of identity found in psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Her purpose is to show readers that theories on cyberspace and identity, which claim that identity is multiple and cyclical, do not overturn, but rather add to our understandings of identity in order to encourage her audience â€Å"to rethink our relationship to the computer culture and psychoanalytic culture as proudly held joint citizenship† (278). Turkle’s tone assumes a highly educated audi ence who is familiar with theories not only of cyberspace and identity, but sociology and psychology as well.Source: RSU.eduSample 4:Charles S. Peirces article The Fixation of Belief (1877) asserts that humans have psychological and social mechanisms designed to protect and cement (or fix) our beliefs. Peirce backs this claim up with descriptions of four methods of fixing belief, pointing out the effectiveness and potential weaknesses of each method. Peirces purpose is to point out the ways that people commonly establish their belief systems in order to jolt the awareness of the reader into considering how their own belief system may the product of such methods and to consider what Peirce calls the method of science as a progressive alternative to the other three. Given the technical language used in the article, Peirce is writing to a well-educated audience with some knowledge of philosophy and history and a willingness to consider other ways of thinking.Source: Oregonstate.eduFurt her reading:Rhetorical Prà ©cis WritingThe Rhetorical Prà ©cis: Explanations and ExamplesThe Rhetorical Prà ©cis Format

College of human ecology Essays

College of human ecology Essays College of human ecology Essay College of human ecology Essay As I consider my goals and dreams, the Human Ecology perspective and mission appears to be very appealing to me. As for my immediate educational plans, I want to pursue an undergraduate degree in HBHS (Human Biology Health and Society) at the College of Human Ecology. However, the completion of this undergraduate degree will be only the first step on the way of academic excellence. I have far-reaching academic aspirations: my ultimate educational objective is to receive a PhD degree in dentistry with a view to becoming a pediatric dentist. However, I’m enthusiastic about acquiring such a profession not for personal or commercial gain. Further in my life, I want to become a missionary and volunteer for a medical mission. Given the shortage of skilled dentists in missions of that kind, I believe that my expertise and knowledge can serve the cause of enhancing human development in the places where access to medical facilities is problematic. For this reason, I find the mission of the College of Human Ecology, namely enriching human development and shaping policies that secure economic and social well-being for individuals, families, and communities, to be very lofty and visionary. Adequate health care is the key to bringing security and prosperity to the developing world. I’m specifically interested in becoming a pediatric dentist because under the scenario of population boom in developing countries children’s rights to adequate healthcare are often neglected by both authorities and families. International medical missions are the only actors that offer effective and much-needed help. Working for the benefit of humankind rather than personal gain will offer me a degree of life satisfaction that is impossible to achieve under other circumstances.

SIGNS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

SIGNS - Essay Example 10). While the signifier referred to the material aspect and sound image of the sign, the signified denoted the mental concept (pp. 10-12). However, for Peirce, the sign consisted of three elements not just two. According to Peirce, the sign â€Å"has a relation to an Object, which relation entails an interpretant† (pp.21). Although Peirce linked the sign to the external world, Saussure and Peirce's accounts were rather structural and linguistic. However, their successors like Roland Barthes, Jean Baudrillard and Julia Kristeva placed the systems of signs into their contexts, made the necessary correlations between the signs and contemporary culture and incorporated the semiotics into the cultural studies. Roland Barthes scrutinized the role of signs in creating modern myths in his seminal work, Mythologies (1957). Jean Baudrillard, examined the system of signs with respect to the consumer culture. The aim of this brief is to explore how signs describe the commodity fetishism and consumer culture of the contemporary society. Roland Barthes regarded myth as semiological system. He analyzed the picture of young black guy in Paris-Match as an example of mythical system (see the appendix, Figure 1). Barthes noted that although the signifier is a man giving the French salute, the signified is Frenchness itself: What he saw in this picture is â€Å"that France is a great Empire, that all her sons, without any colour discrimination, faithfully serve under her flag, and that there is no better answer to the detractors of an alleged colonialism than the zeal shown by this Negro in serving his so-called oppressors.† (pp. 115). Barthes' analysis highlights the mythical and also the ideological system that sings are produced. Indeed, for Barthes, myths are the ideological systems.For Barthes, myth reflects the dominant values of the ruling classes. He (1977, pp. 165) defined myth as the socially determined reflection, â€Å"however, in accordance with a famo us image used by Marx, is inverted: myth consists in overturning culture into nature or, at least, the social, the cultural, the deological, the historical into the 'natural'†. . Advertising is the medium of the contemporary society's myths. As Baudrillard (1996, pp. 10) stated in The System of Objects â€Å"Advertising†¦ is pure connotation’ and connotation is the domain of myth. Advertising adds mystical qualities to the objects and produces signs as commodities to be consumed. In fact, Baudrillard (1996, pp. 218) noted that â€Å"to become an object of consumption, an object must first become a sign and this conversion of objects to the signs â€Å"implies the simultaneous transformation of the human relationship into a relationship of consumption†. Baudrillard's views echo the Marxist notion of commodity fetishism, in which human relations took the form of relationship between things. Indeed, advertising is often full with the fetish objects. Baudrilla rd (pp. 203) stresses that the notion of idealized consumption is base on the substitution of human relationships by â€Å"personalized† relationships to objects and the personality of the subject and the so-called â€Å"personality† of the object merge in the buying process. Here, Baudrillard (pp. 219) find the logic of commodity as analyzed by Karl Marx: â€Å"just as needs, feelings, culture, knowledge —in short, all the properly human faculties—

Old Guard or Avant-garde Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Old Guard or Avant-garde - Research Paper Example My first favorite symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich is symphony No 7 which is commonly known as Leningrad. Shostakovich composed this masterpiece in 1941 and it was intended for the extremist Russian government. Shostakovich completed this song at the height of World War I and, therefore, his focus was on the issues happening to the society. Due to the rapidly changing lifestyles, Shostakovich was forced to adopt a musical style that would withstand changes in the society. The symphony can, therefore, be considered as avant-grade music. This consideration is based on the style and the issue addressed by the music. Unlike other music produced in that period, symphony No 7 addressed issues that were not common among musician. Initially, musicians sang about lifestyle issues such as love, happiness, sorrow and prosperity. However, Shostakovich introduced the aspect of musician being critical in the governance of a country. Unlike other musicians, Shostakovich became critical about Russian governance and the oppressive Nazi regime (FIS). All these issues are captured in the lyrics of this piece of music, which Shostakovich created using C sharp major. It was adopted both in the west and in Russia as a symbol for defiance against authoritarian regimes. Shostakovich demonstrated that musicians had a more significant role to play in the society other than been entertainers or philosophers of the society. Through the symphony, the composer demonstrated that artists were essential in influencing. the governance of their country. This is the first aspect that makes it to be classified as avant grade music. Other than the social responsibilities of the artist demonstrated through the symphony, the symphony also had additional stylistic and performance aspect that makes it to be considered as an avant grade creation. Before the creation of this piece of music, long performances were not popular. This resulted from the nature of this musical creation and the intended message contained in it. However, Leningrad is considered as a music peace that had the longest performance. It was unusual to have performance that exceeded thirty minutes. The Leningrad was an exceptional case since its first performance took about one and a half hour (Fay 213). Long performances became a popular trend in music produced after symphony No 7. The length of a musical performance was determined by the content of a piece of music. This piece of music introduced the aspect of creating music with rich