Universal Love Essay example - 613 Words

Love is a universal concept that has survived through the ages. With time, though, it also has become more complicated. Although, the concept of love becomes more complex, the story remains the same. In the poem, Parting, Without a Sequel,; by John Crowe Ransom, the story of love is almost over, and the reader becomes a part of it at the end of the affair. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The poem begins with a woman finishing a letter, with characters venomous and hatefully curved,; to be mailed to the man she once loved. This letter, assumed by the reader that its purpose is to break off the relationship, gives the woman a sense of power and relief when it is completed. Although, as soon as she hands it to the blue-capped functioner†¦show more content†¦The daughter knows she can depend on him for the support she needs during this time of her life, and he gives it to her. He was quiet during his daughters relationship, but now that she has come to him, he finally can speak and tell her what he feels. Rubbing his old dried up hands, rasped his sere leaves,; he relates his disappointment to her. Ransom uses the symbols of an oak to represent the father whose emotions never change; he remains stoic through the good and bad times of life, much like an oak could be thought of. An oak is seen as an object that is strong, wise, and everlasting. He remains there for whomever needs him; always willing to listen and give his advice. His daughter, in contrast, goes through many emotions, just within the poem. In the beginning, she shows hate and bitterness towards her lover then in the end it transforms into regret for writing such an awful letter. The rain that is mention twice in the poem could symbolize the relationship the daughter had with her lover. The father remained stoical in the rain; and when the agitation of the rain/ Rasped his sere leaves,; did he finally speak to his daughter. Clam and cool, he shows her that he loves her, even if it cannot replace the love she once had from another. Love is a concept that will never die. Thought the characters in the story might change, it will go on forever. People will be hurt by is, but theyShow MoreRelatedLove Is A Universal Language3020 Words   |  13 PagesVariety of Love â€Å"It’s like with my memories of Tommy and Ruth. Once I’m able to have a quieter life, in whichever centre they send me to, I’ll have Hailsham with me, safely in my head, and that’ll be something no one can take away† (Ishiguro 285). True love often stays with one till the end. The true meaning of love is to be in a complete bond with each other and care for one another when everyone else flees. They who discover the sincere essence of passion and achieve it with significance willRead MoreMo Tzu Universal Love Analysis807 Words   |  4 PagesThis paper will prove that thought Monzi thought of universal love, the will of heaven, being against music and as well as going against Confucians is the best way to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time, using an article called â€Å"Mo Tzu Basic Writings† translated by Burton Waston Universal Love The aspect of universal love is seen in a very simple way with no in between answers as Universality is the greatest source of all great benefits inRead MoreUniversal Love By Stephen T. Asma1133 Words   |  5 PagesThe idea of universal love is one that is prevalent in the media. With the news filled with grim stories and horror many people are calling to the idea of loving everyone. Tensions are high concerning race relations, gender discrimination, and sexual orientation. Many in the general public are calling for humanity to embrace humanity. Many in the general public are asking â€Å"why we can’t just love one another†? Stephen T. Asma tackles this idea of love in his article published in the New York TimesRead MoreLove Is Universal By Miranda August s `` Something That Needs Nothing ``1384 Words   |  6 PagesLove is universal. It’s a feeling that every person has felt at least one point in his or her lifetime. Some people search for what seems like a lifetime for love, whereas others may seem to fall in and out of love on a regular basis. Love is rarely defined because everyone experiences it differently. The power of love usually excites feelings of hope, unity, and bliss into one’s life, but it can also bring pain and heartache. Love is a two way street; both lovers need to be fully committed inRead MoreI Think Romantic Love Is Universal Because It Is A Legacy Of Humanity s Shared Evolutionary Past797 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is the meaning of love? Love is a powerful emotional and spiritual recognition. It can provide a deep happiness, and a deep suffering when unfulfilled. Love is one of the most valuable and cherished feelings in people’s lives. Love is known since the time of Adam and Eve. It makes one feel as if nothing else is needed in order to survive in this world. The definitions of love are the same and yet different. There are many authors in stories and poems that use romantic love like Shakes peare andRead MoreThe Importance Of A Good Society Is Not Achieved By Chance Or By Default1446 Words   |  6 Pagesorganization is a fixed and fundamental condition. In order for this structure to provide a foundation of a good society, there are a few other conditions that must follow--among them are attentiveness to all members of the society, commitment to universal values, and flexibility to change and adapt. In addition to structure, a good society is one that works to help all members thrive, especially individuals at the bottom confronted with difficult socioeconomic situations. A good society must beRead MoreRomeo and Juliet Themes: Love889 Words   |  4 Pageshuge part of our culture today. The story of two star-crossed lovers, separated by an age-old family feud, which is eventually ended by the death of both Romeo and Juliet, is deeply embedded in our cultural psyche. It is an allegory, a story of true love and sacrifice, that continues to resonate throughout modern time. There is a great deal of social stigma attached to the story. People are very critical of Romeo and Juliet’s decisions. Also, people are inspired, interested, and influenced byRead MoreMisunderstanding Relationships in Boogie Nights Essay1629 Words   |  7 Pagesinteresting case study of the unique nature of human relationships, specifically love and friendship. It presents a crisscrossing mash-u p of various combinations of traditional love categories: friendly (plutonic or nonsexual) love, family love, lust, master/servant or apprentice/teacher love, etc. Besides being entertaining, Boogie Nights presents these combinations to provoke an insight on our part into the nature of love. This insight is exemplified in Jack’s notion of the ideal pornographic filmRead More Metaphors We Live By Essay examples954 Words   |  4 Pagesby certain dominant metaphors. Some of the most universal concepts in our species, culture, and language are not only talked about, but also thought about, in metaphorical terms. The concept love, for example, is structured mostly in metaphorical terms: love is a journey, love is a patient, love is a physical force, love is madness, love is war, etc. The concept of love has a core that is minimally structured by the subcategorization love is an emotion and by links to other emotions, e.gRead MoreShakespeares Twelfth Night957 Words   |  4 Pages(disguised Viola) to make Olivia love him, although she had stated that she would not marry for seven years due to her sadness from her brother’s death, Cesario tells him â€Å"I’ll do my best to woo your lady.† Then Viola tells the audience â€Å"(Aside) yet, a barful strife—Whoeer I woo, myself would be his wife,† meaning that she has to convince another woman to love the man she loves. The exchange of words in this scene exemplifies dramatic irony since the reader now knows that a love road that connects Duke Orsino

The Concept Of Hinduism And Buddhism - 1513 Words

INTRODUCTION TO THE CONCEPT OF HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM Hinduism is often called one of the oldest living religions or oldest living major traditions amongst other religions still being practiced currently, this is due to the fact that certain elements within Hinduism stretches back for thousands of years. Hinduism is often referred to as â€Å"Sanatana Dharma†, a Sanskrit phrase meaning â€Å"the eternal law†. Also, it does not have a single definition mostly because it holds a vast array of beliefs and also because it can be linked to Buddhism, Jainism etc. Some schools of thoughts do not describe Hinduism as a religion but rather as a way of worship that informs you about the duties, life-style and vision of living established in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is formed from diverse traditions, as such Hinduism does not have a single founder. Buddhism is a tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and knowing or attainment of a deeper insight to the true nature of life. Buddhists do not believe in a personal God, instead in Buddhism it is believed that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is inevitable and always possible. Buddhists believe that life is endless and subject to suffering and uncertainty. This comes from the Buddhist school of thought that teaches that existence is endless because individuals are reincarnated time and time again thus continually experiencing suffering and pain throughout many life times. There are different schools ofShow MoreRelatedThe Concepts Of Hinduism And Buddhism1749 Words   |  7 Pages The Concepts of Hinduism and Buddhism (Name) (Course name) (Instructors name) (Date of submission) The Concepts of Hinduism and Buddhism Buddhism and Hinduism have common roots: both religions have arisen in India. However, over long history of its formation, Buddhism has absorbed traditions of many civilizations of the East. It was not just a religion. This teaching is about personal enlightenment and contemplation of spirit. This awakening of soul has no reference to God. AccordingRead MoreHinduism and Buddhism: History and Modern Appeal1696 Words   |  7 Pagesestablished religions, Hinduism and Buddhism have their similarities, as well as differences. Both religions are practiced in Southeast Asia, starting in India and have influenced each other. Hinduism dates back to 5,000 years ago, while Buddhism was created three centuries ago. I will explore what the two religions share and what separates the two from one another covering the origins, number of followers, the texts used, and the belief system followed. Origin of Hinduism Hinduism is one of the oldestRead MoreThe Goals of Hinduism and Buddhism Essay1368 Words   |  6 Pages2. Hinduism and Buddhism are traditions that originated from the Vedic sacrifice practice, and they share a common foundation in their view of existence. What are the similarities, and very importantly, the differences in their respective focuses and goals? Also included in this topic: For a time, Buddhism became a dominant tradition in much of India, but then Hinduism rose to become the dominant tradition. There are relatively few Buddhists in India today, especially in comparison to the numberRead MoreSimilarities Between Hinduism And Buddhism995 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and Contrast Essay Hinduism and Buddhism There are more than seven billion people living across the world and about 19 major religions with about 270 subgroups. In many states and countries, there are two or more religions that are being practiced by its residents. Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the 19 major religions, that are widely practiced. Hinduism and Buddhism both have common origins, and share similar beliefs. Both Hinduism and Buddhism are religions that focus on the way to liveRead MoreSimilarities Between Hinduism And Buddhism948 Words   |  4 PagesBoth Hinduism and Buddhism came from the region called India. Hinduism was the dominant one in the subcontinent, while Buddhism had to flee to other regions to spread its belief to the people. The creation of Hinduism will eventually give birth to Buddhism later on. Even though both â€Å"religions† came from the same region, they have some similarities and differences between them. Hinduism from the start was a combination of different beliefs or ceremonies from the Indus Valley Civilization. All ofRead More Hinduism Essay841 Words   |  4 Pages-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 19, 1997 By Jordan Bruins Buddhism/Hinduism Comparison Report Hinduism is the oldest known religion and is very rich with literally hundreds of gods, symbolistic rituals and beliefs. It is believed to have been established around 1500 B.C. but no one person founded Hinduism as it evolved over a long period of time. Buddhism on the other hand has a definite founder, Siddhartha Gautama who is otherwise known as the Buddha orRead MoreSimilarities Between Hinduism And Hinduism1199 Words   |  5 Pagesmany different religions. Asia has had many religions spring up. Out of these Buddhism and Hinduism are the most popular beliefs in the general population. Hinduism is the oldest known religion and is very rich with literally hundreds of gods, symbolistic rituals and beliefs. It is believed to have been established around 1500 B.C. but one person never founded Hinduism as it evolved over a long period of time. Buddhism on the other hand has a definite founder, Siddhartha Gautama w ho is otherwiseRead MoreThe Dharmic Religions of Hinduism and Buddhism1220 Words   |  5 PagesAlthough both Hinduism and Buddhism both Dharmic religions and originate from similar cultural backgrounds, their individual beliefs regarding death and the afterlife differentiate from one and other. Both religions believe in the concept of reincarnation, but the difference lies in the process in which someone is reincarnated and subsequently where the individual stops the process of reincarnation and reaches the desired end point of the seemingly endless cycle. In Hinduism the concept of life andRead MoreHinduism And Taoism802 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and Contrast: Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism. Both Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism in religious context compare through origin, philosophy, and their social structures including their outlook on women. These three religious show south east Asian roots, cultural beliefs, and social conflicts and solutions. The origin and expansion of Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism are similar in that all of them were created in south east region of Asia and that they each expanded through the silk road inRead MoreWhen Diving Into The Depths Of Buddhism And How A Non Theistic Religion Has Strong Morals921 Words   |  4 PagesBefore diving into the depths of Buddhism and how a non-theistic religion has strong morals as well as heightened sense of life. It is important to take a step back and see how Buddhism started out. Siddharhta Guatam was born into the rulers of a small kingdom near the present border of north India. Legend says that Siddhartha was born he was examined by several holy men who announced that he would be a great leader. He lived a life of luxury and at the age of sixteen met his wife Yasodhara and soon

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep Essay Example For Students

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep Essay DogIn Lawrence Ferlinghettis poem, Dog, the dog symbolizes an ordinary man going on about his life. In the first section Lawrence establishes what the things are that the dog sees in comparison to himself. The next section deals with how the dog thinks and feels. Finally, the last section reveals what the dog does. Mr. Ferlinghetti shows us how a normal mans life is similar to a dogs by revealing what the dog sees. He tells us, the things he sees / are bigger than himself / and the things he sees / are his reality, (Lines 3-6) and, the things he sees / are smaller than himself.(Lines 10-11) In these lines Lawrence uses the repetition of the things he sees to emphasize to us that man faces major challenges and minor challenges that are all a part of our lives. Lawrence also repeats The dog trots freely in the street in this section and throughout the poem to tell us that we are free and can control our own destinys. We are shown, in this section, how exciting life is through the use of colourful imagery and explosive alliteration. Some examples are Drunks in doorways(Line7) and Chickens in Chinatown windows. (Line 14)This section contrasts humans with dogs in the ways in which they think and feel. He doesnt hate cops / he merely has no use for them / and he goes past them. (Lines 23 -25) This t ells us that if we have no use for something we look at it with indifference ignore it and go on with our lives. He would rather eat a tender cow / than a tough policeman(Lines28-29) explains to us that we like to take the easy way out of things by dealing with the simple problems and turning our backs on the difficult problems. We see that a man by himself is scared of a group of men but not of one man in the lines Hes afraid of Coits Tower / but hes not afraid of Congressman Doyle. (Lines 34-35) In this section it also tells us how the government and politics are very discouraging, depressing and absurd to sad young serious men. But he has his own free world to live in / His own flees to eat / He will not be muzzled(Lines 41-43). This informs us that every man has his own life and things to do and he will not let other people get in his way. This is all accomplished through more alliteration like cats and cigars(Line21) and Romeo Ravioli. (Line 31) Some colorful imagery like Cong ressman Doyle is just another / fire hydrant / to him is also used. The final section relates the way a dog dashes around to a humans complex active life. Lawrence uses alliteration and rhyme to show us the busyness and curiosity in our lives in the lines touching and tasting everything / investigating everything. (Lines 51-52) We are told that man sees things as they are and they have real stories to tell that are backed up with experience. (Lines 54-56) The form of lines fifty-seven through eight-four is very interesting. These lines are all over the place, which serves to display how we are like dogs, running here and there. It shows us how life keeps us moving and we never stop. And looking / like a living question mark / into the / great gramaphone / of puzzling existence. (Lines 75-79) In these lines we are told that man is always asking questions and trying to figure out the mystery of life. But, as the last lines tell us, lifes mystery is never solved, but it always seems like its just about to be released. (Lines 80-85) These points are all made more clear through the use of alliteration like hollow horn(Line80) and the repetition of the word real in lines fifty-four through fifty-seven. .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 , .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .postImageUrl , .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 , .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48:hover , .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48:visited , .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48:active { border:0!important; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48:active , .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48 .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u96eed0da2ce8f67627cfaf5ed7366c48:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: A Theory of Justice, by John Rawls EssayIn this poem Lawrence Ferlinghetti explores a normal mans life by making the dog symbolize him. Ferlinghetti uses alliteration and repetition to help create the effect of what the dog does and how he feels and thinks. He also uses colorful imagery to explore what the symbolic dog sees. These writing devices that Lawrence used made Dog interesting and easy to understand.

Miracles Happen free essay sample

Nowadays when I get any alone time, I stop and think to myself, â€Å"How did this happen to me, and why did this happen to me?† Sometimes I go the whole day thinking of that turning point. No one knows the complete story, not even I do. I mean it happened so fast, at least for me it did. This is what I can piece together from what people have told me. I was the best basketball player in the neighborhood and as the best I was always trying to find ways to improve my game. I was playing with my friend Robert, who was pretty good himself. It was hot that day, hot enough to bake an egg on the side walk. So after our game of one on one, we went to the pool. It looked so delicious at the time. Then everything went black. Robert went looking for me, because it’s been ten minutes since I went to go change. We will write a custom essay sample on Miracles Happen or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I was face up at the bottom of the pool. After the lifeguards pulled me up out of the water, Robert went to get my parents. As soon as my dad heard what happened, he zoomed to the pool. My mom was already tearing up, and when she saw me she was bawling her eyes out. An ambulance finally showed up to take me to the hospital. I was in a coma for two weeks. When I woke up, I saw my dad at my side. My body forgot how to function. For that first week after I woke up out of the coma, I couldn’t talk. I knew how to talk, but when I tried to speak, the words just didn’t come out the way they used to. My only means of communication was a small white board. The first thing I said was, â€Å"What happened?† My dad told me everything he knew. Miracles happen. After one week I was transferred to Children’s Hospital from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver. When I got to Children’s Hospital that’s when the rehab process began. So I had physical therapy (PT) and speech therapy (ST). ST was hard because I couldn’t talk. I knew what to say, however, the words wouldn’t come out right. The therapist told me it was because my vocal cords didn’t open up fast enough. PT was challenging the first week because I completely forgot how to use my legs. All I needed was just a little time. I have lost friends, and gained friends. Since I almost drowned some of my old friends think I’m dead. Looking back now, I don’t know if this was a good thing for me, not being alive, but the crippling effects of drowning. Now I try twice as hard as I used to, putting 200% into everything, just to be as capable as I was before. Things come at me with bigger meaning. It’s overwhelming to have that type of pressure on you, with the addition of family expectations. Life goes on though; it doesn’t wait on anyone. That’s what my parents, teachers, and everyone tells me. So giving up is not an option; it shouldn’t be for anyone. I am indeed grateful to be alive; God is good. He makes miracles happen. I’m a miracle.

Web Influence Over Business Essays - Web Applications, E-commerce

Web Influence Over Business The Internet will greatly alter the structure and operation of all industries. For the management of any existing business the central question is not whether the Internet will be relevant to your business, but rather what will we need to do to profit from that change ( "The Internet" ). The Internet is evolving many aspects of business and it creates many new business opportunities. It is developing what is called the "New Business Environment", because it changes the way products are developed, distributed, marketed, sold, and serviced ( "Business on the" ). In theory, doing business over the Internet with consumers should be ideal however, many people are not comfortable with it yet. It will take a little while before most people are completely at ease and order products. First off, the Internet will provide many capabilities that will be very beneficial to a business. Some of the benefits include E-mail, Mailing Lists, UseNet, Telnet, FTP, Gopher, and of course the World Wide Web. All of these are a way to keep you informed and in touch with business associates and customers anywhere in the world ( "What can the" ). With an Intranet in place you've got an infrastructure for group applications, you don't need to install software on everyone's PC, they can just use their Web browser and while the main costs are in employee time, the cost of software has dropped significantly ( "Put Your Own" ). The effects of the Internet will take a decade or more to generally replace existing patterns of business. The Internet and its strategic impact are not technological issues, they are business ones ( "The Internet" ). Executives are likely to carry responsibility for whether their organization ultimately prospers or perishes in an Internet impacted world. The particular impact will differ between industries, so you need to identify the likely form of impact it will have on your industry and adopt appropriate strategies. A few threats are when using the Internet, competitors become relatively more effective, e.g. reducing costs, improving service and increasing sales impact. Also, some important customers or suppliers may have migrated exclusively to the Internet and are inaccessible in any other way. Some firms redefine the industry in a very fundamental way that threatens all existing competitors ( "The Internet" ). With the advent of the Internet, it has dramatically improved operational and sales effectiveness in numerous different applications. A few such areas are, on-line stockbrokers: such as E*Trade and Ceres, on-line travel agents, banks and other financial services: such as on-line banking systems, and insurance and fund management. Right now, there are many companies whose outreach is global such as Amazon.com and CD Now, soon all of the above areas will be global ( Daring ). Another area of the business environment that will be significantly changed due to the Internet are small firms, especially ones who wish to export. The Internet can relatively easily give small firms access to international markets, and engage in electric commerce ( Cragg ). However, not much is known about the use of the Internet by small firms, mainly because it is such a new method. An example of such an idea was taken advantage of by Elizabeth Botham & Sons Bakery. The bakery is located in a small town called Whitby in North Yorkshire and business is tough because it is geographically restricting and it is based in a very seasonable town. In order to do business and keep their staff hired year around the manager, Mike Jarman turned to the Internet. He found a company called Octagon Ltd., which helped him get started. Since going on the Web in 1995, the company has had over 25,000 potential customers visit the site and receives a dozen hefty orders a week ( "Yorkshire Bakery" ). The Web is a great distribution tool, the information you place on your Web site can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Web can save you time and money in information distribution over traditional mail and printing methods ( Daring ). Rather than reading a static advertisement, your customers can go directly to their areas of interest and see an intriguing web page. They can get detailed information on your staff and services, browse your product lines, and get up to date information on what is happening in your company. One of the benefits of a web site is that your customer can respond to you directly ( Shaw ). Even though the Internet has

Monsters Within and Repression and the Family in Horror Cinema †Sociology Essay

Monsters Within and Repression and the Family in Horror Cinema – Sociology Essay Free Online Research Papers Monsters Within and Repression and the Family in Horror Cinema Sociology Essay The horror genre, and in particular horror cinema, is greatly maligned. To many critics it is purely an exploitative, sexist, gratuitously sadistic form of puerile entertainment. Regardless of what one thinks of horror as a spectacle, the genre is of interest in academic terms at least, for the ways in which it reflects – either self-consciously or unconsciously – trends within society. Of particular significance is horror’s portrayal of the institution of the family and the family’s position in maintaining dominant social and cultural norms, namely those of patriarchy and capitalism. Though certainly not the only cinematic genre to critique the family, horror – given its marginalised status – is well equipped to articulate such concerns. Robin Wood’s structuralist adoption of the psychoanalytic-political theory of repression, outlined in An Introduction to the American Horror Film will provide us with our interpretive framework. Focusing on two films by recognised horror auteurs Wes Craven and David Cronenberg, I will discuss how these films, and horror as a genre confronts the problem of the family, and more specifically the notion of repression. It is important to first define our terms and frame of reference. As I am focusing on the family in horror, it is appropriate to discuss the contested nature of â€Å"family†. The family is by no means a universal, static, or tangible grouping; it exists as a complex network of relationships. It is the social institution entrusted with the reproductive process – reproduction of the species, along with reproduction of cultural, social and psychic norms. Though â€Å"the family† is frequently conceptualised as a universal, fixed unit (i.e. the nuclear family), this is an essentially ideological construction, conflicting with the reality of its diverse and changing nature. It is probably more correct to talk of â€Å"families†, as â€Å"the family† in a unitary sense doesn’t really exist. However, family is a useful concept for the way in which it informs and provides meaning to discursive and cultural formations. Family creates and articulates roles for individuals within society; roles that stem from post-Enlightenment Western thought, whereby the home and workplace are designated as â€Å"separate spheres†. The inherently Western nature of the family in this sense, and its function within capitalist superstructures requires us to view developments and themes in the horror genre with a degree of cultural specificity. As a result, I will be focusing on the American horror film, although I extend my analysis to cover Canadian director Cronenberg’s The Brood (1979). Repression and Capitalist Patriarchy Before looking at the history of horror cinema in the United States and representations of the family therein, I must outline our analytical framework. Central to Wood’s theory is the Freudian concept of repression. Civilisation and social existence is fundamentally based upon repression. Without the repression of basic instincts and urges, humans would be unable to function in society – self-control, consideration of others and the postponement of gratification are thus necessarily repressive acts that construct humanity, in opposition to the â€Å"natural† state of individualist anarchy. This â€Å"basic† repression, which is a prerequisite in all human cultures, can be distinguished from what is termed â€Å"surplus† repression. Surplus repression is culturally specific, and involves the predetermination of individuals’ social roles from birth. Closely related to this is the concept of oppression, where obvious manifestations of difference are quashed in an overt sense, which differs from the internalised nature of repression. In Western culture, surplus repression is used to shape individuals into â€Å"monogamous heterosexual bourgeois capitalists†. Thus, the notion of repression is intrinsically linked to economic as well as social structures. Capitalism requires a constant supply of labour, and that labour must be able to work efficiently and effectively. The nuclear family then, â€Å"resolves† what can be seen as a contradiction – to work efficiently, labour must not be distracted by the process of child-rearing, which in turn is essential to expanding the labour force. By ascribing (primarily gender-based) roles – Mother as submissive domestic labourer, child-raiser, nurturer; Father as dominant worker, breadwinner – capitalism reinscribes older patriarchal power structures. In order to maintain such a â€Å"stable†, logical system however, surplus repression must be constantly in action. The family can therefore be seen as the reason for, as well as the ke y instrument of, surplus repression under capitalist patriarchy. What, then, is being repressed in Western society? Wood points to sexual energy in general – as the source of creativity – in that â€Å"creativity† that is not sufficiently fulfilled in the monogamous heterosexual relationships necessary to perpetuate the family construct or through individuals’ labour practices, represents a threat to the myth of contentment under capitalist patriarchy. The family acts as the vehicle for this type of repression, by advocating, for example, parental monogamy. The sexuality of children is similarly denied and repressed by the family; cultural norms require parents to repress sexual behaviour (masturbation, for example) in their offspring. Following on from psychoanalytic theory’s conception of human bisexuality as â€Å"normal†, the bisexual-homosexual impulse is also repressed. This impulse is a direct affront to the norm of monogamous heterosexuality, as well as the ascribed gender roles of masculinity and femininity. From these gender roles, we can see that female sexuality in particular is severely repressed by the family, as the woman’s desire for sex (and thus her creativity) is seen as masculine, and as a result runs counter to the feminine ideal of passive subordination. Women, then, are frequently denied their sexuality under patriarchal capitalism. Given the primal or primordial nature of these repressed sexual impulses, society (bourgeois capitalist patriarchy) is presented with a difficult problem. The act of repression, as it stems from ideology, instils a hatred or fear of what is being repressed (it must be evil if society expects us to repress it) but nonetheless it still remains within, giving rise to neurosis. One of the key ways in which this is dealt with, is through the process of othering. In this way, what is repressed and hated within is projected onto an other, in a way displacing the neurosis and legitimising one’s own repressive culture (â€Å"it’s not us, it’s them!†) The creation of the other in one’s own inverse image, where â€Å"we† (bourgeois, white, civilised, heterosexual, repressed) are everything â€Å"they† (proletarian, dark, wild, bisexual, sexually overt) are not, is fundamental to the horror film. According to Wood’s basic formulation of hor ror, normality is threatened by the monster. Frequently the monster in horror is a wild, sexual being, representing the very impulses that are repressed within normal Western society. The Hills Have Eyes Wes Craven’s 1977 cult classic The Hills Have Eyes is a prime example of self-conscious problematicisation of the family in contemporary horror. Craven is a keen social observer of the processes of familial repression, as noted in a 1979 interview with Tony Williams – indeed, early in The Hills one of the characters (Bobby) makes an obvious reference to Freud. The film’s plot revolves around two apparently opposed families; the Carters – suburban middle class Christians, lost on their way to Los Angeles in a military testing site – and their â€Å"shadow† family – a group of scavenging, cannibalistic guerrillas that stalk the Carters, who have â€Å"invaded† their territory. As different as they appear, the families are constantly parallelled throughout the film, and eventually are impossible to tell apart. When their station wagon crashes in the desert, the members of the Carter family –Big Bob (the father), Ethel (the mother), teen siblings Brenda and Bobby, eldest daughter Lynne, Lynnes husband Doug and the couples infant daughter Katy – begin to show their â€Å"true colours†, as they play out their ideologically determined roles. Big Bob, portrayed as a racist, violent, crude patriarch blames his wife for the car crash, which she accepts submissively. Ethel attempts to balance the crudity of the former policeman (his occupation represents another institution of patriarchal dominance) with politeness and weak religious sentiments. The children, in particular Bobby and Brenda are also under the control of Big Bob – the patriarch – and when Bob leaves to find help, Bobby attempts (jokingly and unsuccessfully) to appropriate the role of male authoritarian controller. The Carters, in playing their role of the â€Å"ideal† family under patriarchal capitalism highlight the extent – and problems – of surplus repression. Bobby’s repression of unpleasant knowledge (the killing of the dog, Beauty) results indirectly in the deaths of Lynne and Ethel. Ethel herself is clearly in a state of denial; for example, on hearing heavy breathing over the radio she dismisses the sound as animal noise – even when Lynne points out that animals can’t use radios Ethel manages to ignore the sinister reality. Furthermore, when viewing her husband’s burning carcass she maintains the denial: â€Å"that’s not my Bob!† Lynne is also guilty of repression, as she tries to hide the fact that she found a tarantula in the caravan from her sister Brenda. The entire family is so busy repressing, trying to â€Å"protect† each other from the horrendous reality that they become increasingly fearful (neurotic) and ar e thus unprepared to deal with their shadow opposites. The â€Å"dark† family is at first more obviously dysfunctional. We learn that Grandfather Freddy attempted to kill his mutant son Jupiter, resenting him for causing his wife’s death in childbirth, and seeking any excuse to â€Å"expel† him from the family. When Jupiter survived, kidnapped a whore and reared his own family who now terrorise the desert, Freddy simply describes him as a â€Å"devil child† who grew into a â€Å"devil man†, rather than face his own guilt and complicity. The family (perhaps standing in for various oppressed minorities) manages to eke out a squalid existence by using discarded army surplus tools and weapons for the purpose of committing petty thievery. Their cannibalism and violence, while horrific, is almost understandable, given the circumstances in which they find themselves. When two of Jupiter’s sons raid the Carters’ trailer, they rape Brenda and murder Lynne and Ethel. The desire of rape, as a particu larly horrific, antisocial, uncivilised act represents one of the ultimate sexual expressions that must be repressed in civilised society. The dark family can in many ways be seen as the representative manifestation of a process of othering. Stripped of all pretensions, desperate for survival, the remaining members of the Carter family finally find within themselves the courage, wrath and craftiness to kill off their enemies. However, the internal resources they find come at the expense of the repression that differentiated them from Jupiter’s family in the first place. The film closes with a powerful red-filtered freeze-frame of Doug in full fury, set to stab Jupiters son Mars in the chest though Mars is surely already dead. The ultimate return of the repression of violence in the Carter family (which was initially alluded to through the aggression of Big Bob, as well as the fond recollection of a story where Beast killed a poodle) presents a striking social statement about the nature of the â€Å"civilised† family. Ruby, though not particularly prominent, is a key character in the film. She sits precariously between the initially polar opposites of civilisation and wildness. Though she is part of the dark family, she wishes to leave with Freddy and enter civilisation. Freddy ridicules her: â€Å"you think you could pass for regular folks? †¦ You stink like a hog!† The final third of the film further highlights the convergence of the two families, as Ruby is able to transfer easily from one family to the other – the differentiation between civilisation and chaos has been completely deconstructed. The Hills Have Eyes astutely locates the monster within capitalist patriarchal society, and specifically the family itself, and in doing so articulates progressive politics that can be construed as promoting social change. The Brood David Cronenberg is not particularly well known for producing â€Å"family† horror films. Though his previous films – Rabid (1977) and Shivers (1975) – are centred on the repression of sexuality, particularly female sexuality, the family (as the primary institution of repression) is not central to the texts. The Brood, however, is a classical family horror film in that it posits patriarchy and the family institution as responsible for the creation of monsters. In the film, Psychologist Dr. Raglan, director of the controversial Psychoplasmic Institute encourages his patients, including Nola – a neurotic recent divorcee – to outwardly manifest their anger and fear; particularly rage that stems from family problems. In the film’s opening scene, a patient is taunted and humiliated by Raglan, who plays the role of the dominant father, persuading him that he would have been better off as a girl – his weakness would then be more â€Å"accept able†. In this way Cronenberg is describing tensions that form within the family as a result of repression of bisexuality. The traditional family is further shown to be problematic through the characters of Nola herself, as well as her mother. We learn that Nola’s mother abused her as a child (which itself runs counter to the social norm of the mother as carer, nurturer, protector of children), and that her father failed to stop this abuse (positing him as emasculated, disempowered, feminised). This redefinition of social roles continues with Nola, who it seems is continuing this family trend of abusive behaviour against her own daughter, and by the end of the film has fully appropriated the male role of active aggressor. The monster in this film also emanates from within the family – the brood; a monstrous horde of sexless children form the physical manifestation of Nola’s rage under Raglan’s treatment (Raglan himself acts as a surrogate father). The Brood’s representation of the problems of the family differs substantially with that of The Hills Have Eyes. Though both films show their respective monsters as originating from the family and point to problems surrounding surplus repression, Cronenberg ultimately places the blame for the monster not on society, patriarchal capitalism, or the family institution, but on Nola’s abusive mother. Furthermore, the final solution to the creation of the brood is for Nola to be killed – there is no perceived need to challenge the social circumstances and familial repressions that led to the problem in the first place. Conclusion Robin Wood’s â€Å"return of the repressed† theory provides a convincing basis with which to understand the role of the family in Western (American) horror. The family, as the primary institution that maintains patriarchal capitalist ideology, is increasingly represented as problematic in horror. The surplus repression of (primarily sexual) impulses, though ostensibly allowing capitalist patriarchy to run smoothly, is problematic due to the inability of repression to completely annihilate these primordial impulses. The essence of family horror is the creation of a monstrous other that represents the outwardly projected repressed sexuality and violence that threatens bourgeois capitalist civilisation. The realisation that good and evil are not binary oppositions, that evil in fact comes from within us, shows that the act of repression itself is problematic; for what is repressed â€Å"returns in condensed and displaced form to threaten and challenge and disrupt that whi ch would deny it presence† . As shown in The Hills Have Eyes and The Brood, the problems of repression within the family are portrayed variously in horror. Craven’s film can be seen as progressive, providing a critique of familial repression and oppression, suggesting that one must come to terms with these repressed impulses as they are a natural part of us. Cronenberg’s The Brood has been read in different ways, but not as a progressive text. The disgust with which Cronenberg views female sexuality brings with it the assumption that this sexuality is something that should be repressed; indeed the viewer feels relief when Nola is killed – repression has won out over familial female pathology; the institution that generated her condition is not subjected to critique. Though there are reactionary and progressive representations of the problems associated with family, it is clear that cinematic horror in the West is founded upon the ideas of repression and op pression that stem from the social construction of the family. Bibliography Harwood, Sarah (1997) Family Fictions: Representations of the Family in 1980s Hollywood Cinema. London: Macmillan Sobchack, Vivian. (1987) â€Å"Bringing it All back Home: Family Economy and Generic Exchange† in Gregory Waller (ed.) American Horrors: Essays on the Modern American Horror Film. Chicago: University of Illinois press, p. 177 Williams, Tony (1980) â€Å"Wes Craven: an interview.† Journal of Popular Film Television 8, no. 3 Williams, Tony (1996) â€Å"Chain Saw Massacres: The Apocalyptic Dimension† Hearths of Darkness: Family in the American Horror Film. London: Associated Universities press, ch. 8 Williams, Tony (1996) â€Å"Far From Vietnam: The Family at War† Hearths of Darkness: Family in the American Horror Film. London: Associated Universities press, ch. 4 Wood, Robin (1979) â€Å"An Introduction to the American Horror Film†. The American Nightmare. Toronto: Festival of Festivals Filmography Shivers David Cronenberg, 1975 The Brood David Cronenberg, 1977 The Hills Have Eyes Wes Craven, 1977 Research Papers on Monsters Within and Repression and the Family in Horror Cinema - Sociology EssayInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesWhere Wild and West MeetThree Concepts of PsychodynamicAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug Use19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoPETSTEL analysis of India

The mysterious series 3 problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The mysterious series 3 problems - Essay Example The length X width is simply the area of the inner box diagramed above. The height is simply x. Thus the expression for the volume of the box is the following: 3. Billy bob has 200 yards of fencing material, and he wishes to build a rectangular kennel with four sections, as shown below. Find the dimensions of the individual pens if the total enclosed area is to be as large as possible? Prove that you have accurately determined the total maximum area. Let x be the width of each individual pen. If the total fencing is 200 yards, the resulting length of the whole pen would be (200-5x)/2 and the area of the whole pen would be [(200-5x)/2](x). The formula for the area of the whole pen would be: To maximize the area, derive the formula for the area, equate to zero and then solve for x. The derivative would then be 100-5x=0, thus x=20. Substituting back into the equation, the length of the whole pen would be 50 yards and the width of the pen would be 20 yards. If individual pens were to be measured, the length would be divided by 4, thus the length of each individual pen would be 12.5 yards. Since the width of each pen is 20 yards, each pen would have an area of 250 square