Reading response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Reading response - Essay Example Disney movies have influenced children and adults equally well to absorb gender images which are prominent in our society. The American society in a subtle manner has recognized the gender role presented by this movie â€Å"Beauty and the Beast†. The beauty is an innocent girl who is naà ¯ve and pure. This is what our society thinks about the gender roles of male and female. Disney has tried to present the cultural beliefs and values which has nurtured the natural consciousness of Americans. â€Å" AN because Disney was so deeply embedded in the American psyche and scene, understanding him also may also enable one to understand the power of popular culture in shaping the national consciousness†. (Gabler,20) Disney has show cased what the people want to see as he knows what people believe would only be accepted by them when shown in movies. Even though there is a female lead in the story, the masculine power always stood out. The thinker Gabler states that Walt Disney’s influence on people cannot be measured by numbers but by the way it shaped the culture of Americans. It is an illusion or imagination of society where a prince or man is the superior authority in romances. It is not different from real world as man is consistently seen as the leading power in life and in all relationships. In â€Å"Beauty and the Beast† the female character is sensuous, pretty, delicate and subordinate to the male power. Kilbourne says that in media culture the importance is for power rather than passion. According to ( Kilbourne 394) â€Å"Men conquer and women ensnare, always with the essential aid of a product. The woman is rewarded for her sexuality by the man’s wealth†. Even though her male part is played by a beast, the dominating power of the character can be seen all over the movie. Disney has produced many animated movies and every movie has male characters that represent courage, power and strength. Women in this movie only have the role of

Philosophy of Morality by David Hume Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Philosophy of Morality by David Hume - Essay Example The present research has identified that according to Hume, we naturally approve of actions and qualities which we find either immediately agreeable or useful. Wit and eloquence are examples of the former; industry and honesty are examples of the latter. Although these sentiments of approbation and blame arise internally; they are by no means primarily self-centered or relative to each individual. Hume avoids these pitfalls by suggesting that human beings possess a general feeling of sympathy. Not to be confused with universal benevolence or generosity, sympathy allows us to share in the happiness and misery of those around us. Hume contends that the "minds of all men are not similar in their feelings and operations, nor can anyone be actuated by any affection, of which all others are not, in some degree, susceptible. As in strings equally wound up, the motion of one communicates itself to the rest; so all the affections readily pass from one person to another, and beget corresponden t movements in every human creature". In his more mature writings, Hume describes this sympathetic impulse as a sentiment of humanity. He points out that the very notion of morals implies some "sentiment common to all mankind, which recommends the same object to general approbation, and makes every man, or most men, agree in the same opinion or decision concerning it. It also implies some sentiment, so universal and comprehensive as to extend to all mankind and render the actions and conduct, even of the persons the most remote, an object of applause or censure, according to as they agree or disagree with that rule of right which is established. Without this ability to appeal to common sentiment, to recognize the fundamental likeness of human beings, man would be nothing but a "fancied monster," indifferent to others and totally incapable of making regular moral judgments. It is this sympathetic impulse, this shared sentiment of humanity that serves as the foundation of all moral co ncord. Although the sentiment of humanity is "kneaded into our frame" and diffused so widely that "no man is absolutely indifferent to the happiness and misery of others", Hume is well aware that human beings do not live in conditions of universal benevolence and amity. His History of England is filled with examples of callousness, cruelty, and moral confusion. However, Hume avoids this apparent contradiction by suggesting that our sentiment of humanity is frighteningly fragile and can be perverted by external factors. Although the most prevalent and powerful of these factors is religion, it would be a serious mistake to conclude that Hume considers all forms of religion morally destructive. While some religions--those described by Hume as superstitious or enthusiastic--tend to undermine the common sentiment of humanity, Hume recognizes that religion is sometimes capable of promoting our recognition of similitude and bolstering the fragile moral sense. It is the latter species of re ligion that Hume recommends for the public establishment.

The Different Elements Of Identity

The Different Elements Of Identity At stake are questions about the linkages of different identity domains, how the various aspects of the self interconnect, and how various identities become active or inactive as people locate themselves in various social contexts (Narvà ¡ez et al 2009) Everyone needs to know who he or she is. This is a question about ones identity. Identity is a complicated and debatable termà £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ It is a set of characteristics that belongs uniquely to somebody. It includes both changeable and stable aspects and is influenced by both outside and inside factors. Ones identity consists of three basic elements: personal identity, family identity and social identity. Each of these elements is determined by individual circumstances (Wetherell et al 2008). First of all, personal identity is about ones moral beliefs and self values. It is showed in the decisions one makes, the way they talk to themselves and the different goals they have achieved in their lives (Wetherell et al 2008). Most people have a standard for right and wrong. People doing the right things would grow honesty and integrity (St Louis 2009). On the other hand, if a person keeps on doing things that they believe to be wrong, they may start to believe they are not to be trusted. These choices will have huge effect on how people consider themselves; this is called sense of worth (Nolan and Rudenstein 2009). Communicating with themselves, people do self-talk (Narvà ¡ez et al 2009) most of the time. This self-talk is an important way to build up the sense of how people consider themselves and their self-identity. Each person has their own standards and values. Each person judges how they are doing according to these criteria (Dyrenfurth 2009). Moreover, ones successes and failures will also affect personal identity (Dyrenfurth 2009). When people achieve their goals they feel accomplished and fulfilled (Narvà ¡ez et al 2009). In contrast, if one fails there occurs a self-questioning (Nolan and Rudenstein 2009). Setting and fighting toward goals also makes people meet their limits, which helps find their abilities as well as limitations. This is important for ones self-identity (Narvà ¡ez et al 2009). Second element is family identity. It is made up of the characteristics a person has been given along with the role in their family they have been born into (Wetherell et al 2008). Family identity builds up the cultural environment in which people will grow their knowledge of who they are. Scientifically, this is about DNA, which is unique to each and everyone. As well, the inherited traits (Narvà ¡ez et al 2009) one receives through birth determines both their mental and physical attributes. Some children may be gifted with high intelligence while others may suffer with an emotional, mental, or physical handicap (Crenshaw 1996, cited in Narvà ¡ez et al 2009). Although these nature born characteristics may have less impact during life experience, they will always have fundamental effects. The bearing on (Wetherell et al 2008) identity or say the role people are born into in their families has been well explored by many psychiatrists. There are many researches exploring the personal characteristics different roles of the family will have. Commonalities of people within each group (Wetherell et al 2008) can be explained by analyzing childrens behaviors in their families. The Firstborns (Wetherell et al 2008) are known to feel they have the responsibility to be the one to set an example in their family (Zylinska 2005, cited in St Louis 2009). While the youngest child of the family are often considered spoiled and not have to fight for as many rights as their older siblings. (St Louis 2009). Though these generalizations may vary in different families, they still impact on ones identity throughout life. Culturally family leads to the way of life one will go. Women and men have always considered having different roles in life (St Louis 009). This is determined in both gender roles and ethnic groups. For example, men are often taught to be the ones to earn money and in contrast, women are to be the homemakers. Men are natural to be tough and unemotional while women are caring and sensitive (Wetherell et al 2008). On ethnic stage, education is one of the most significant aspects in some cultures, while athletic ability or beauty is more important for others (Duany 2003, cited in Nolan and Rubenstein 2009). These are all cultural influences one would receive to build up their sense of identity. . . . the question, and the theorization, of identity is a matter of considerable political significance, and is only likely to be advanced when both the necessity and the impossibility of identities, and the suturing of the psychic and the discursive in their constitution, are fully and unambiguously acknowledged'(Hall 1996, cited in St Louis 2009). Finally, social identity is about ones world around them. It includes what one believes others feel about them and how one believes they fit within their society (Wetherell et al 2008). It is largely influenced by factors such as ones working class, monetary value, education level, and popularity (Dyrenfurth 2009). Owning a company compared to working at the bottom floor of a company creates a different sense of power and security (Nolan and Rubenstein 2009). Positions in employment can impact on the community one lives in and the respect they receive. This is how it impacts on the power and respect one believes they have (Nolan and Rubenstein 2009). This also affected by monetary conditions, as people with wealth are often given the same power and respect in society. A well-dressed person will be more intently listened to in public than one who is poor and in broken clothes. This will transfer over to the sense of worth people feel they have (Dyrenfurth 2009). Moreover, the level of education one experiences effects the belief of ones ability. Society as a whole enforces the separation (Wetherell et al 2008). Many community and business positions require a formal education record without giving exploration to the experiential background of candidates. This may cause one to believe they are more or less equipped, brighter or slower depending on the level of education received (St Louis 2009). Last but not least, ones popularity in society is among the greatest influences upon social-identity. To be popular or not in determined by many aspects. One can hold or lose popularity by showing their charm, good will, humor, intelligence, power, social standing, wealth, beauty and so on. Being liked or not is based on these qualities, which may highly likely cause one to re-evaluate the qualities they believe they have and their elf value and self-identity (Narvà ¡ez et al 2009). Peoples feel of their self-identity will change during their social experiences. In conclusion, with such individuality and uniqueness, it is without a doubt to say identity is complex, but it is also simple to see aspects from where self-identity is gained. Self-identity shifts throughout life with influences of family, personal, and social factors. In the end, ones identity is built up of a set of characteristics that one finds are uniquely belong to oneself.

Man the Hunter Revisited Essay -- Anthropology, Hunting

Man the Hunter: Revisited In 1966, a group of about fifty anthropologists met in Chicago for a conference that would later known as the â€Å"Man the Hunter† meeting. The meeting contrasted with earlier scholarship and presented a Hollywood approach to the topic of early man, one where our ancestors were strong, powerful, and in control of their environment. Anthropologists Sherwood L. Washburn and C.S. Lancaster (1968), both present at the conference claimed, â€Å"our intellect, interests, emotions, and basic social life—all are evolutionary products of the success of the hunting adaptation†. The book Man the Hunter that emerged from the conference forced a re-evaluation of human subsistence strategies and the role of the hunter in human society. Although the idea of man as hunter, and thus exclusive provider, was initially disproved when it was shown that humans also relied on scavenging and were indeed hunted, the theory maintains relevance in modern anthropology. The theory itself p ushed researchers to challenge prior assumptions regarding the role of females in society and helped develop the hunter-gatherer by sex theory that remains in place today. Importantly, whereas the original man as hunter thesis was groundbreaking because it challenged the scientific communities’ prior belief in an ancient man who was primitive and weak, modern researchers have built off of the man the hunter thesis and now debate the motivations for men to hunt. While our human ancestors may not have been the strong, bloodthirsty, killers once imagined by Raymond Dart, new studies conducted by modern anthropologists have revived this famous, yet once discarded theory. The authors who contributed to the Man the Hunter text (1968) concluded, â€Å"to assert th... ... from a more balanced perspective. Given the importance of the theory and its affect on how modern humans view our ancestral past, the studies themselves have exposed the depth of which cultural bias can affect scientific outcome. The male dominated research of the 1960’s produced an image of ancestral man akin to a comic superhero, large, brawny, and dominant. In response, the female literature of the 1970’s and 1980’s discredited the ideas and placed emphasis on the woman gatherer in early society. Likewise, modern research has attempted to distance itself from the bias of the past, however even today assumptions make there way in to the research. While the man the hunter theory may not be headline news in this modern era, present day research approaching our past from a more scientific approach appears to have restored credibility to the once tarnished model.

Character Analysis Mr.Marks

Character Analysis Form Actor’s Name: Philip John Play: Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage Character: Mr. Marks Physical Traits Sex ?Mr. Marks is a Romanian Orthodox Jewish male immigrant. Age ?Mr. Marks is in his thirties Health ?Mr. Marks has somewhat of a fear of being left alone, he panics when he sees a loyal customer go to another person for fabric and turns to alcohol (tonic) for comfort. Clothing ?Mr. Marks always wears a black suit with a missing button. He wears it because of religious beliefs, it reminds him that every day he lives for God and his ancestors. General Appearance Mr. Marks is a mix of everything he is somewhat sloppy and unorganized because he rolled right out of bed when Esther walked in and left his bedroll right there (he most likely didn’t get a chance to brush his teeth), he is also looks kind of formal since he always has a black suit on due to religious reasons but it also is missing a button that he refuses to fix for the longest time Mann erisms ?Mr. Marks quickly removes his hands away from Esther because it is against his religion to have physical contact with a woman who is unrelated or not married to him Social TraitsClass ?Mr. Marks is a part of the working middle class because he is a fabric dealer and so he has enough money to run that but he also gets really worried when he hasn’t seen Miss Mills fearing she had went to his competitor. Occupation ?Mr. Marks is a fabric dealer and seems very passionate about it. He is always very excited to show Esther his collection and offers only the finest fabrics. Finances ?Along with class, I think that Mr. Marks lives a comfortable life nothing over the top but enough to be financially stable without having to worry about sleeping in a shoebox. Read also: â€Å"Stand and Deliver Character Analysis†Home Life ?Mr. Marks lives by himself but is engaged to a woman who resides in Romania and has never met her Intelligence ?Mr. Marks is very religious and knowledgeable within his profession of the finest fabrics and best quality products. He also knows how to make his flirtations subtle and enough to get the message across without interfering with his religion views Nationality ?Mr. Marks is Romanian and he seems slightly self-conscious about it, for instance when Esther asked him about his wife and he said his fiancee is in Romania Place in Community Mr. Marks is a local fabric dealer Amusements ?Mr. Marks enjoys representing his ancestry and his religious background by wearing his signature black coat. He also enjoys drinking tea amongst selling fabrics of all kinds. Psychological Traits Moral Standards ?Mr. Marks believes that a woman should not touch a man’s hand if they are not married or related to each other. He also does not remove his black suit for sake of tradition and religion. Religion ?Mr. Marks is Romanian Orthodox Jewish Ambitions ?Mr.Marks is attracted to Esther and wants to be able to express that physically however the barrier of his religion intervenes and prevents that relationship to evolve. He overcomes his tradition of wearing only black and puts on a jacket Esther made especially for him. Disappointments ?When Mr. Marks found out that Esther was getting married he was shocked and tried to hide it by offering her his best quality fabric and told her that no one deserves it more then her. He was most certainly upset about this though Concerns ?Mr.Marks gets worried that he will lose Esther to his competitor that is giving away complimentary thread. Abilities ?While Mr. Marks yearns to be with Esther he sets his feelings aside because it is against his morals and he wishes her the best and offers her the finest clothes. He tries his best to hint his emotions towards her b y putting on the new jacket and similar things. Qualities ?Mr. Marks always trying to do his best to make Esther the happiest she can be he compliments her smile all the time and gets content when he sees her happy.

Paul’s Rhetoric at Mars Hill

Verses 16 and 17 of the passage that the speaker here is the Apostle Paul. He had been caught in this rhetoric with some Jews and devout persons whose background the Bible is silent and provides no elaboration [Verse 17]. According to Verse 18, there were also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. While the Jews follow Judaism as their religion and uphold belief in a coming Messiah, their religion traditionally emphasizes ethical conduct and the treatment of others as one would for one's self.Jewish law is based on the Torah, which essentially s the Five Books of Moses. On the contrary, the Epicureans were rivaled by the Stoics. The Stoics upheld a philosophy that life was about living in harmony with Nature. They encouraged self- control and saw courage as a means of monopolizing harmful emotions. Again, while the Jewish religion has thrived over the years, the Epicurean and Stoic philosophies faded out around the Third Century. It was wealth these deleting religious and philosophi cal backgrounds that the Apostle Paul had to address his audiences.Theirs was both a religious and heathen culture which one could identify more as a Gentile environment that knew nothing about the new faith the Apostle was trying to portray. Hence, his attempt to present what he believed in was met with hostility. To them it was a new teaching that they considered strange ideas as stated in Verse 18. It is obvious that, although a heathen society, it was equally religious as would be found in every human society. They knew about gods. In Verse 18, it is reported that, some of the people confronting the Apostle said that he seemed to be advocating foreign gods.Paul was definitely aware of their false religious beliefs. He capitalized on this when he addressed them. For when he was brought before the Reappears he told the people of Athens that he could see that they were very religious. He mentioned in Verses 23, 24 that as he walked around and looked carefully at their objects of wo rship, he even found an altar with the inscription. That to the Apostle meant that they were not ignorant of the very things they worshipped. Cleverly, he informed them that it was exactly what he was going to proclaim to them.Having opened up like this, it was apparent that the Apostle caught their attention and then charged on with his presentation of the Gospel. Essentially, the Apostle wanted to let them know that there was no hope of salvation for them In the gods In whom they had chosen to put their trust. Those were Just false gods that had no power to deliver them. In the end, the Apostle's persuasion became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysus, a member of the Reappears, also a woman named Dammars, and a number of others.