Journal on “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”

Basically the main point of the story, A Good Man Is Hard to Find, is that the modern society has drastically degenerate over the past years and that the only way for it to change is for people to repent and renew their faith in God. In addition, the author, Mary Flannery O’Connor, claims in her story that the most of the youth today no longer has moral values unlike the previous generations. In other words, the story is also a comparison between past and present societies and generations.To illustrate her points and show her comparisons, the author used the characters as symbols of the past and present societies. The grandmother represents the past generation in which people were more disciplined and showed more respect as compared to the present generation.This difference between the two generations was shown at the beginning of the story wherein the grandmother failed to persuade her son’s family to go to Tennessee instead of Florida. The mere fact that her sonâ€⠄¢s family chose an alternate path on their way to Florida, which resulted in their murder at the hands of a young man and his gang, shows that the generation today tends to stray from the path that they should be taking.Basically, the point of the author is had the family remained on the main road or had they went to Tennessee instead of Florida, they would not have been killed. On the other hand, the murderer, a relatively young man called â€Å"the Misfit† in the story, according to the author, symbolized the present status of the youth today— misguided and violent. Before the Misfit killed the grandmother, she tried to convince him that he was a good man. In the end, however, the Misfit refused to listen to her and shot her three times in the chest.The author was very effective in conveying his message that the values of the generation today, particularly, the youth, have significantly deteriorated. In addition, she also convincingly showed how the present society lacks faith as depicted in the Misfit’s refusal to believe in Jesus in his conversation with the grandmother.

The Friendly Correspondence

A horrible series of events took place about a day after Belinda wrote her last letter to Krysta. On the afternoon of the 22nd of December she sat in her living room reading one of Krysta’s recent letters in which she said that she had received her present and had told the authorities to not to give it to her until Christmas. Belinda’s parents had gone out shopping when suddenly the door opened and her brother Ron ran into the room. His face was all red with anger, he was holding some papers in his hand which had been ripped into many pieces. Belinda was so used to her brother’s tantrums that she did not stir from where she was sitting. But as her brother walked by she looked discreetly at the torn papers and saw the words â€Å"failed† and â€Å"Year 12†. She then understood the cause of her brother’s anger and what made him so wild and furious. Ron stopped at once and saw Belinda reading her letter. He asked her where mum and dad were. She didn’t reply. He stomped like a bull who had seen red, suddenly snatching Belinda’s letter out of her hands. He read it quickly and saw a paragraph addressed to Isobel in which it was asked that Ron be taken care of. He stuffed the letter into his pocket in spite of Belinda’s constant groaning to return it. That was the beginning of a quarrel to which Belinda contributed by adding her provoking spiteful remarks and insulting Ron for having failed to graduate. The brother and sister began throwing things at each other, at first paper weights and then dangerous objects such as sharp knives. In her fury Belinda threw a knife at Ron and unfortunately did not miss his hand from which blood started gashing out. Ron went off to his room not paying any attention to his sister who by that time had realised the seriousness of the situation, had stopped fighting. She then started to apologise while looking for a bandage to put and his hand. After having written one page or two of sentences that somehow made sense, Krysta decided to stop wielding her pen for a moment and take a short break. She sat back in her armchair and relaxed, or some minutes she lost in her thoughts, thoughts about life, thoughts of love, happy thoughts, sad ones and thoughts about Gary. Ooh Gary! Her heart stopped beating for a moment at the very thought of it. She remembered herself as a teenager shut in her heart wailing every moment in the depths of her heart for freedom†¦ She recalled how she had come there and how she spent each day of her life thinking it was her last one and that she would not get out of there alive. She shuddered as she thought of the cruel faces of her authorities or the ‘hacks’ as they were often called, of the stale food they gave with malicious faces, the way they eagerly roamed around like hungry dogs putting somebody’s name in their Punishment Sheets. She thought of her friends at Gary. Were they real â€Å"friends†? She thought of Linda McAllam and some other girls who let her down. But then she remembered Macy and girls who were nice to her at some of the times, her sweet voice, which often made her and others, weep or feel lonely, were still in her ears. Everything was clear and vivid in her memory as if it had taken place yesterday and not twenty years ago. On her table shone the paperback cover of a book titled ‘My life at Gary† with the words Krysta Bonbons in bold letters below it and the words BEST SELLER on its side, despite of all her horror of Gary she felt she owed it something. She felt pretty sure she wouldn’t have become a writer if she hadn’t been at Gary and had never met her so-called â€Å"friends†. Where could they all be now? What could they be doing? Directing great companies, catching burglars, smiling at children with books in their hands and blackboards behind them†¦who knows? Were they still alive? She felt her eyes pricking as she remembered Belinda, her pen-pal whom she’d never met in person, who wrote her consoling letters -and also rang her sometimes- during almost the whole of her second year at Gary. She had died that same year a few days before Christmas killed by her violent brother. She looked at her watch, it was 2. 30pm. She hurried so as not to break a routine, which had become a part of her life. At about 3’clock she got off the Vaudeville tram and ran to the cemetery behind St. Michael’s church. She stood still before Belinda’s grave who was no relative of hers but with whom she had a relation stronger than with anyone else. From her purse she took out a letter Belinda had written to her and read it all over again with tears rolling down her cheeks. Thank you, Belinda! â€Å"she said in a feeble voice, â€Å"Thank You for loving me†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . She entered the church, said a small prayer and left, a habit she never had before visiting Belinda’s grave for the first time. It was as if Belinda had become an angel and was strengthening her belief in God praying for her everyday. Her next destination was the nearest newspaper office where she ga ve a note with all her brother Simon’s to be published in the classifieds She had put the same ad in the same paper for the past five years. Not that she thought it would do much good but one never knew†¦Krysta was pretty sure that if one day a man younger than her walked towards her calling her â€Å"sister†, she would be very happy and once again would have somebody to love unconditionally just as Belinda loved her. On arriving back home, Krysta threw the pages she had written some hours before into the dustbin and started writing on a new page. Somehow she felt confident the book she was writing would be really good. It would be called â€Å"My Friend whom I’ve Never Seen†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦

Liquid Gold Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Liquid Gold - Research Paper Example On the other hand, the United States of America is a federal republic made of fifty (50) states and a federal district; the federal district of Washington, D.C and the 48 contiguous states. The capital is Washington, D.C. The nation has 5 populated and 9 unpopulated territories in the Caribbean, as well as the Pacific. It has a population of 317 million people living in the 3.79 million square miles. The US is regarded as fourth largest nation by total area, and third largest by population (Berkin et al., 2013). The Indian economy is the eleventh largest in the world basing on the nominal gross domestic product. In relation to purchasing power parity, it is the third largest in the entire globe (Government of India, 9). In 2014, the purchasing power parity has been estimated to $5.302 trillion with per capita income being $4, 209, while the nominal GDP has been estimated to be $1.842 trillion with per capita being $1,389 according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As of 2011, the 486.6-million Indian labor force is considered as the globe’s second largest. The service sector makes up of 55.7 percent, agricultural sector 18.2 percent and the industrial sector 262 percent of the total economy. Following the 1991 market-based economic reforms, the republic of India has become one of the fastest growing major economies. It is regarded as a developing nation on the verge of being industrialized. However, the nation is still faced with challenges of corruption, poverty, inadequate public healthcare and malnutrition. India has the largest number of individuals that live below the World Banks international poverty line of $1.25 per day. Besides, an estimated 44% of Indias children who are under the age of 5 years, with half of them suffering from chronic malnutrition in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Mandhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and

Liquid Sunshine-Beneficial Fad or Human Carcinogen Research Paper

Liquid Sunshine-Beneficial Fad or Human Carcinogen - Research Paper Example Investigations soon found the ill effects of long-term exposure to radium. The use of radium as therapeutic agent was discontinued, but the victims of this metal died painful deaths. In 1900s, radium became a treatment option for many illnesses of the day. However, its popularity as a promoter of health soon declined. This paper aims at recounting the rise and fall of radium as a therapeutic agent. Radium (atomic number 88) is a radioactive alkaline earth metal, belonging to the same group as calcium and barium (Radium, 2009). Its radioactive nature makes radium a luminescent metal that glows in the dark. Radium is a decay product of radioactive uranium 238. Nobel laureates Pierre and Marie Curie discovered this metal in 1898. Marie Curie received her second Nobel Price for Chemistry in 1911 for her work on radium and polonium (Pasachoff, 1996). Pierre Curie was the first scientist to advocate the medical uses of radium. Pierre exposed his arm to radium for many hours, which caused a burn that took many months to heal. He concluded that diseased cells may be destroyed by exposure to radioactivity and that radium could be a potential cure for cancer and skin diseases (Clark, 1997; Pasachoff, 1996). The results of Curies trailblazing research on effects of radium catapulted this element to instant fame. Radiation therapy with radium became a standard treatment for cancer, benign tumors, warts, and even facial hair (Clark, 1997). By early 1900s, radium laced water was advertised as a therapeutic agent for a host of other problems (Clark, 1997). This radium water was called liquid sunshine as it was considered a magic elixir for better health and longer life (Rosch, 2004). As radium was expensive, radon, a product of radium decay, was used often to manufacture radium water (Clark, 1997). Radium water was prescribed as germicida l, antibacterial, and antifungal to treat diseases such as diphtheria, malaria, typhoid, and liver diseases (Clark, 1997). Many

MBA Capstone Part 1 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

MBA Capstone Part 1 - Term Paper Example ership is regarded as such sort of leadership quality based on which the business leaders often use several plans and strategies for accomplishing desired business or operational targets. In this form of leadership, the leaders provide certain vision to the organizations and accordingly strategies are built. This form of leadership skill enables in making effective decisions for the organizations. It also leads towards appropriate use of human resources by understanding the potential skill of the employees. Moreover, strategic leadership often acts as a driving force for the organizations to reach their ultimate goals and objectives. Thus, this form of leadership proves to be highly effective for any organization. It can be apparently observed in this similar concern that Tesla Motors is one of such organizations, which implemented strategic leadership in its business operations for reaping several significant benefits (Harrison & John, 2013; Hill & John, 2012; Drucker, 2008; Collins , 2001). Sustainable strategic management refers to the situation, wherein organizations possess an objective for gaining long-term sustainability in the business markets. In this regard, the organizations also seek for gaining long term competitive advantage through the implementation of strategic management. In this form of management, organizations undertake periodical evaluation and understand the prevailing business market conditions. Sustainable strategic management is quite essential from the perspective of an organization, as this leads in attaining predetermined business or operational targets. Specially mentioning, this sort of management can also be found applicable in Tesla Motors, which supported the company to form, develop as well as maintain long-term sustainable growth in alignment with the prevailing business market settings (Tesla Motors Inc., 2014; Drucker, 2008; Collins, 2001). The arrangements that make by a strategic leader in accordance with the vision and

Human resourse managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Human resourse managment - Essay Example Every human resource has to be integrated in such a way that it can be accommodated by the main strategy of the business. The first level that he proposes is the fit, between the human resource policies and the overall business strategy. Every human resource department has its own policies to which they expect every employee to follow. These policies and rules are the ones that Guest maintains that should be in such a way that they can be accepted by the general business strategy. For example a policy which restricts workers from not working more than 56 hours a week might not be accommodated by a bossiness strategy which intends to complete a given task within a given time frame. Therefore the human resource department would have to adjust the policy so as to fit with the general business strategy. The principle of complementary is his second level that has to be taken by the human resource department in order to have success in the integration. He maintains the employment should be mutual between the employer and the employee in order for integration to be realized between the human resource and the general business strategy. When this is done then quality is increased and the functions of the human resource become coherent. If the terms of employment are not mutual so that one party feels that they are not given what they deserve from the deal then laxity will set in and reduce quality of the work that is done by members of the work force. Third he proposes internalization of the importance of the integration between human resource and the overall business strategy by the line managers. In simple terms it means that he proposes that the line managers are the ones who should be concerned with making sure that every person within the workforce understands fully the importance of integration and appreciate it to their very best. When this is done then the workforce is aware of what is

In the document I upload Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

In the document I upload - Essay Example It would have been long term as it has lead to an anticipated economic growth with up to 2% within duration of 2 years. Therefore, the government should fast track the adoption of laws to avert the expiration of this tax relief and this time make it even more lasting as the testing face of the laws have proved fruitful. To do this they need the support of the major opposition, the Republicans. This is because for many households’ tax rates under the Obama’s administration has been much lower and affordable as compared to the same in Bush administration. This is despite the fact that they were introduced simply as stimulus laws. The extension of such tax cut measures will ease life for the households and extend support to the ailing economy. Second assignment How to avert tax increases if averting tax cliffs will not work The owing automatic rise in the tax rates of the American households have the impact of negatively affecting the lives of the Americans in terms of the ir welfare socially, politically and at most economically. The Obama’s administration is majorly left with the option of allowing the payroll tax systems established 2 years ago to elapse in its efforts to solve the fiscal cliff. This is though likely to have a negative impact on the social security funds by the U.S. wage earner by lowering their share in the said funding system by a clear 2 percent increasing the taxation of the household by $ 1,000 a year for earners of $50,000 annually. This act should though be progressive so that the impact on the wage earner is uniformly felt. The more wealthy individuals should be taxed according to their earnings as the less income earners are taxed the other way round. The government through the support of the opposition republicans has to join hands to in their efforts to fuel the government role of protecting their citizens socially by way of creating a habitable social environment largely dependent on the security measures placed. The government must also put aside their political differences in its efforts to provide a secure political climate for the thrive of the economic activities engaged in by the citizens. Despite the lapse of the payroll tax system, the household composed of the tirelessly working Americans can still work to cover the anticipated loss of 2% if the government unites with the opposition to create a favorable economic climate supporting every bit of economic activity that the American engages in. Taxation is a government initiative that can only be regulated through the formulation of the favorable laws and fiscal tools to enable the functioning of the government. The government and the opposition in such times have to come together and formulate laws, which are not exploitative to the citizens. This will involve the government considering an opportunity costs between allowing the tax rate reverting to the original 6.2% from the regulated 4.2%, which would result into a raise of the gov ernment revenue by about $125 billion in 2013, and the economic welfare of the wage earners. The economic growth that is likely to result from this is quite negligible of a mere

He Reflective Commentary (Dissertation) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

He Reflective Commentary (Dissertation) - Essay Example 24). In addition were the visits to various eco-tourist destinations which are rather fragile in nature. Thus, the subject gave a lot of knowledge about the various theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable tourism development. Admittedly, I had never considered sustainable tourism as a concept that deserves appreciation. For me, it was more like the claims of the die-hard environmentalists, which are impractical in nature. So, I liked to consider sustainable tourism as a mere concept in its initial stage, which one in the tourism industry should bear in mind. This was so because from my personal experience, I had found that sustainable tourism is a word that was used by tour operators to attract the eco-friendly tourists and to reduce the investment in infrastructure; and the element of sustainability was seen only in green pamphlets and brochures. Thus, for me, sustainable tourism was rather a shallow concept that does not deserve much attention. So, when I started studying Sustainable Tourism, I wanted to see what the subject really meant in the current tourism world and how effective it could be in practical tourism. However, as a part of the studies, I got a chance to know about the impact of tourism on environment. In addition, I learnt about the fragile nature of the places which usually become tourist destinations. ... y various agencies around the world to promote sustainable tourism and the way they reduce the environmental impact of tourism, I understood the fact that sustainable tourism has grown much deeper and stronger than I anticipated. Also, I made the realisation that the future of tourism is almost totally reliant on the amount of sustainability it manages to introduce. Also, the subject gave me valuable insights about the role of various stakeholders; ranging from tourists, governments, tour operators and local population in sustainable tourism. Another important revelation for me was the importance of reflection in the subject I study. As I undertook the task of reflective writing, I learnt how useful, and in fact necessary, it is to learn through reflection in a subject like tourism management. According to Dewey (1933, p. 45), reflection is the practice of thinking for an extended period by linking the later experiences to the earlier ones. It helps one to understand what new things are added, what is lost, what remains the same, and what are interrelated. Thus, reflection in sustainable tourism development helps one look into the concept from the perspectives of all stakeholders. In addition, it helps one to understand if the various methods of sustainable tourism are useful or not. Another benefit of the study was that it helped me realise the areas where legal and governmental supports are lacking. As the subject revealed, it becomes necessary for governments to introduce better and stronger legal frameworks which support sustainable tourism by placing legal barriers on various activities of mass tourism. In fact, the subject acted as an eye opener by making me understand the fact that only sustainable tourism can ensure the survival of such sensitive and highly

Many historians feel that American Revolution was fundamentally Essay

Many historians feel that American Revolution was fundamentally conservative in that the colonists were simply trying to perserv - Essay Example The discussion will include the major rights and powers that the Americans thought were denied to them and their evidence for believing so. The colonists, sooner or later, had been familiar with managing their own concerns and had been building provincial and local elected administrations. Traditions and institutions founded on the ideals of individual rights, free trade, and private property had progressed from the initial period of the colonies (Morison 1976). The most important question then is what are the justifications of the premise that the American Revolution is a conservative one? The English colonists who headed the revolution were remarkably knowledgeable of their natural rights and privileges as ‘free-born Englishmen’ (Wahlke 1962, 57). They would have abandoned their life in England to start anew or run away from religious discrimination and persecution, and per se were expected to think firmly about sustaining their virtual independence or sovereignty (Lea ch 1986). Furthermore, they were predisposed to relate themselves with the tradition of the ‘Commonwealth Whig’ which had been powerful and influential in 17th century England, when a large number of them run away, a doctrine which stressed individual liberty and a viewpoint against despotism (Morton 2003). Lockean Whiggism of the 1600s and natural rights discourse was prominent in the pre-revolutionary dialogue (Morison 1976). The manner the colonies were structured and ruled differed significantly, and could barely be characterized as absolutely independent (Morton 2003): the New Englanders benefited from the absolute democratic structure, with the electorate having rights to make a decision on all issues of significance and elect local authorities in annual assemblies. The voters were apparently restricted to white male elite, but due to the wealth and realizable property requirements, this select few was strangely huge. Since massive areas of land was obtainable, mo st of it belongs to free owners, who were destined to feel somewhat implicated in the political discussions impacting the colonies at the moment, with a threat in their prospects they tried to safeguard (Morton 2003). The colonists had benefited a lot from comparatively modest taxes from Britain, with almost all taxes defaulted due to prevalent corruption, fraud, and smuggling (Leach 1986). Apparently, most of the heads of the American Revolution were wealthy or propertied individuals, members of the select few that had ruled the colonies prior to the separation from Britain. They were affluent lawyers, traders, and property owners. They were by no means members of the aristocracy (Leach 1986). There was social mobility. Nonetheless, the individuals who ruled the fight for freedom and self-government viewed themselves as the natural rulers of a society that was essentially fair and reasonable. Several of these individuals feared the social implications of the revolution. They still felt the same although they espoused the rationale of their political insights and motivated a broader group of people to take part in government (Morison 1976). These individuals exploited the extended opportunities and acquired top positions in the military, the government, and the Congress (Swift 2002). John Jay articulated a similar apprehension when he stated that the revolution was â€Å"giving rank and Importance to men whom Wisdom would have left in obscurity†

Network and Internet Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Network and Internet Security - Essay Example A Shared Secret is a provisional access code that a company needs to generate a Portal trade Account in the eManifest Portal. The CBSA offers it to businesses that demand contact to the Portal and must be applied within 90 days of the issue time. The Shared Secret comes in handy to substantiate and validate a customer when generating an eManifest Portal company Account. Only the CBSA and the certified representative of the business have contact to this information. The Kerberos protocol is planned to present steadfast verification over open and unprotected networks where communications linking the hosts belonging to it may tempered. Nevertheless, one should be aware that Kerberos does not grant any guarantees if the machines in use are susceptible: the validation servers, submission servers and customers must be kept continuously updated so that the legitimacy of the requesting users and suppliers can be guaranteed. Kerberos protocol endeavors to avert the client's password from bein g maintained in its unencrypted mode, even in the verification server database. Bearing in mind that every encryption algorithm applies its individual key length, it is apparent that, if the consumer is not to be required to use a diverse password of a preset size for each encryption technique supported, the encryption keys cannot be the passwords. For these bases the string2key application has been introduced. It transforms an unencrypted code word into an encryption key appropriate for the sort of encryption to be utilized. This function is referred every time a user alters code word or enters it for verification. The string2key is coined as a hash function, implying that it is permanent: given that an encryption key cannot establish the secret word which created it. One-time password verification scheme (OTP). The system offers authentication for system access and further applications entail authentication, which is sheltered against flaccid attacks based on rerunning held reusab le passwords. OTP developed from the S/KEY: a brand name of Bellcore. The utilization of the OTP method only present buffers against replay aggression. It does not grant the seclusion of transmitted information, and neither does it guard against active attacks. Active aggression against TCP connections are identified to be there in the contemporary Internet (Kling, 1996). The triumph of the OTP system to guard host systems is reliant on the non-invertability of the protected hash functions applied (Carver, 2007). None of the hash algorithms have ever since been wrecked, but it is usually assumed that MD4 is less strong compared to MD5. If a server supports several hash algorithms, it is merely as protected as the weakest algorithm. There are two methods of productively and safely implementation of OTP tokens: structural design of the token execution and physical safety of the tokens. Regarding architecture, the first reflection is placement of the token in the system. The most secur e application of OTP tokens is for logging in at workplaces locally or for reaching an internal network after a firewall. In an in-house network, whereby all servers are under watch (distinct from the open Internet) an MITM (Man in the Middle) assault is not as probable (Neuman, 2008). However SSL alone can't prevent a man-in-the-middle assault. SSL with joint authentication in place can offer some defense since both

The Gender Theory Essay Example for Free

The Gender Theory Essay Shopping is something that can be quickly defined as a woman’s paradise or â€Å"realm of expertise†. It has often been said that women spend more time and money shopping that men spend time and money shopping. In my experiment, I will go to Costco and choose five people at random. I intend to prove that women will spend more time and money shopping at Costco than men will spend time and money at Costco. I also intend to prove that more women will need assistance with placing their items in their vehicles than men will need assistance with placing their items in their vehicles. The gender role theory played a significant role in this experiment. In the theory, women assume the role of the nurturer and caregiver. Men, on the other hand, assume the role of the protector and the aggressor. Subject A- Female (37) 1. Time spent in Costco- two hours. 2. Amount spent in Costco- $149. 27. 3. Assistance needed with placing items in vehicle? No Subject B- Female (52) 1. Time spent in Costco- one hour. 2. Amount spent in Costco- $50. 12. 3. Assistance needed with placing items in vehicle? No Venus vs. Mars 3 Subject C- Male (31) 1. Time spent in Costco- three hours and thirty minutes. 2. Amount spent in Costco- $412. 92. 3. Assistance needed with placing items in vehicle? Yes Subject D- Male (47) 1. Time spent in Costco- three hours. 2. Amount spent in Costco- $371. 58. 3. Assistance needed with placing items in vehicle? Yes Subject E- Male (22) 1. Time spent in Costco- twenty minutes. 2. Amount spent in Costco- $22. 12. 3. Assistance needed with placing items in vehicle? No The gender role theory was switched with the test subjects. The women, Subjects A and B, were defensive when approached for the experiment. They both were short and to the point with their answers. They were both aggressive to the point wherein they asked me to stand at least an arms length away from them. The men, on the other hand, were quite the opposite. Subjects C and D both were inviting and talkative. They both shook my hand and held lengthy conversations with me after I assisted them with placing the items in their respective vehicles. Subject E behaved the same way as Subjects A and B. Venus vs. Mars 4 The expected outcome did not occur. Out of the five test subjects, the men spent more time and money shopping at Costco. The men, for the most part, were the ones who required assistance with placing their belongings in their vehicles. If this experiment were to be performed again, more test subjects should be used in order to have a basis for proving or disproving the gender theory.

The Romantic Poems Of John Keats

The Romantic Poems Of John Keats John Keats was an English Romantic poet who lived during the 19th century. In his short-lived life he faced many ordeals and had to witness death and suffering that shaped him as a poet and reflects in his work. Both of his parents died when Keats was at a young age, his father passed away when the author was only 9 years old. The illness and death of his brother Tom affected him immensely; Keats spent countless hours by Toms bedside and nursed him.  [1]  The author contemplates on death in various ways in connection to nature and love, Keats longs to escape reality and dreams of living in a fantasy. The author explores the fear of death and dying in his poems to the extent of experiencing it himself.   Keats suffered from ill health, the poet supposedly contracted a venereal disease (the theory is supported by the fact that Keats was treated with mercury, that is used to cure syphilis and gonorrhoea) but it might have as well been a respiratory illness. Keats had recovered from his previous illness, but soon he caught a cold that turned into acute tonsillitis. As he suffered from an illness, Toms condition deteriorated, he died in 1818. By 1820 Keats was at the hype of his creation, but soon tragedy appeared. The author experienced the first signs of tuberculosis, the disease that had taken away his mother and brother Tom.  [2]   John Keats met with the Brawne family in 1818, John and the eldest daughter Frances Fanny, of the Brawne family (not to be mistaken for Keats younger sister Frances Keats) developed a love affair and were engaged, but could not marry as to the lack of income on Keatss behalf.  [3]  The poetic and vivid letters by Keats to Fanny provide the reader with an insight into the love story. The lovers were separated when Keats travelled to Italy, Rome to improve his health. But it was too late. John Keats uttered his final words: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Dont breathe on me. It comes like ice remaining poetical till his final breath, Keats died on 23 February 1821 at the age of 25. He died believing himself to be a failure.  [4]   To analyze the relevance of the aspect of death in Keats poetry I have chosen poems and a letter from John Keats. In this essay I will research the imagery of death and how it reflects in John Keatss poetry. The reason for choosing to analyze the poetry of Keats was the previous interest in English literature and the different viewpoint on death that Keats poses in his works, the interest in death and dying captivated me to research and analyze the meaning behind the poems. In Keatss poetry, since he uses imagery and literary devices constantly, there are a lot of aspects to look into and analyze that is why I chose a certain aspect to narrow the topic to make the essay more manageable and to analyze the aspect of death in more depth. My thoughts Death nature Nature captivated Keats as he incorporated it into majority of his works, by connecting nature and the circle of life the author created some of his most famous poems in connection to death. In his poem To Autumn which he wrote in 1819 when he still possessed some strength in him to create one of his most famous piece. My thoughts Personal grief and his reflected in the imagery. Amongst this gloominess he had a love for life, represented by the imaginative style and beauty in his most romantic pieces.  [5]  The poem is full of descriptions that appeal to senses like sight, taste and hearing. One can smell the fume of poppies and hear the bees, until they think warm days will never cease. My thoughts Keats describes autumn as a season of mist and mellow fruitfulness after being inspired by a walk near Winchester.  [6]  It seems as if the season will not come to an end, but in the last stanza the previous joy and colourful description ends. The reader can distinguish the negative connotations that describe the soft-dying day and the end of autumn.  [7]  Keats captures the beauty of dying using vocabulary that indicates the delicate and romantic ideal that Keats thought death to have been, my thoughts as the sun sheds a bloom of rosy hue.  [8]  In this poem Keats combines and contrasts death and life and is able to see the pleasure in something unlikeable, since they both are inevitable and merge into one in life. My thoughts By accepting death Keats turns it into a positive and normal part of life, the poem does not remain overly negative, my thoughts since in the last stanza in the line Think not of them, thou hast thy music too the author welcomes the end of autumn a s he sees something beautiful in the end as well and acknowledges that life and death are in harmony.  [9]   His poem Bright Star that was allegedly written to Frances Fanny Brawne  [10]  , has a frostiness to it, the words à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾star, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾night, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾snow create a feeling of wintriness, that empowers the poem. Still it remains positive since Keats has no repugnance towards death, especially when he is with his loved one. My thoughts The aspect of death is emphasised when Keats brings in a personification in the line à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾the moving waters at their priestlike task, creating an ominous atmosphere. My thoughts The Keats, in his works, has always accepted death sine qua non. kas ladina keelseid v2ljendeid peab ka referensima Death love In his letter to Fanny he says: I have two luxuries to brood over in my walks, your Loveliness and the hour of my death. O that I could have possession of them both in the same minute. The letter Fannys loveliness and his death were the thoughts in his mind. He believed that he could reach fulfillment by dying and having her at the same moment. Keats completed the letter, Yours ever, fair Star. That might be the indication that the poem Bright Star was written to Fanny Brawne.  [11]  Keats wrote Bright Star in 1819 and revised it in 1820.  [12]   In a lot of Keats poems there has been speculations over sexual overtones, for example in Bright Star the author uses the expression to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾swoon to death- an orgasm is often compared to dying (the French term for orgasm is le petit morte- the small death). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Because of its position as the last word in the poem death carries a great deal of weight in the final effect and meaning of the poem.  [13]  It can be considered as a culmination and an abeyance after that. In the Ode to Autumn Keats erects a momentum with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾to set budding more, and still more that peaks with warm days will never cease and releases itself (with definite sexual undertones) with For Summer has oer-brimmed their clammy cells.  [14]  From the previous examples it can be recognised that John Keats uses love and romantic feelings to form his poems, his usage of literary devices and vocabulary often creates a visual delight for the reader, as the descriptions are vivid and vibrant with life even when describing death. my thoughts Keats has intertwined love and death that formed the essence of him and his creations. He was interested in both of them and even death captivated Keats as much as love. My thoughts In Bright Star Keats expresses his wish to be Pillowed upon my fair loves ripening breast,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ And so live ever -or else swoon to death cite the poem He dreamed of eternity as he was fully content being in one certain moment but as he knew that it would pass, Keats preferred to die rather than leave that particular situation. In Ode to a Nightingale the author admits that for many a time I have been half in love with easeful Death and finds that To cease upon the midnight with no pain à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ In such an ecstasy! it Now more than ever seems it rich to die. Poem quotes These examples show Keats fanaticism towards death. His lover is a fair creature of an hour, poem my thought in his poem When I Have Fears That I May Cease To Be, and cannot be for ever poem he thinks of death as the best o r even an enjoyable option for him.  [15]   Death reality vs. fantasy In his theory of Negative Capability Keats says: . . several things dovetailed in my mind, at once it struck me, what quality went to form a Man of Achievement especially in Literature which Shakespeare possessed so enormouslyI mean Negative Capability, that is when man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact reasonColeridge, for instance, would let go by a fine isolated verisimilitude caught from the Penetralium of mystery, from being incapable of remaining content with half knowledge. This pursued through Volumes would perhaps take us no further than this, that with a great poet the sense of Beauty overcomes every other consideration, or rather obliterates all consideration. December 21, 27 (?), 1817  [16]   The willingness to remain in doubt is seen in his poetry in Ode to a Nightingale the lines Was it a vision or dream? Fled is that music: Do I wake or sleep?  [17]  form a rhetorical question and confirm that he is capable of being in uncertainties and does not need facts or reason in order to understand or enjoy the situation. My thoughts. Since Keats experienced tragedy in his life, he felt as if poetry was a way to escape  [18]  and go Away! Away! for I will fly to thee, But on the viewless wings of Poesy poem so it appears as if to Keats the migration of birds a positive and beautiful detail connected to the end of Autumn and the idea of escape and fleeing reality. My thoughts The differentiation between reality and fantasy is evident in Bright Star as Keats is willing to be à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾Awake for ever in a sweet unrest. The poet accepts that he could die from pleasure, and contrasts the dream and reality that he flees from once again. Keats attributes the qualities of love with something mystical comparing it to faery power as something magical and beautiful but still remaining a fantasy or an illusion. Keats was used to death and as he had experienced so much of it became normality for him, therefore it was difficult for him to believe that he could be happy or feel pleasures of life without them passing by. The expression to pass by appears in many of Keatss poems. my thoughts In Ode of Indolence Keats is certain that Neither poetry, nor Love have any alertness of countenance as the pass by me. Keats by Andrew Motion, page 359, University of Chicago Press, 1999 This leaves the reader an impression as if Keats was only standing by as life passed him, since he could not see anything positive in them at times and it seemed to him as if there was no expressions in poetry or love and therefore Keats could not at times relate to it and only thought of them as a fantasy. My thoughts Death creation and the fear of death It was evident that Keats could not continue with writing much longer due to financial problems and about a year after publishing the poem Ode to Autumn he died. During that time Keats was struggling with his own personal problems. His brother George was in need of money to emigrate to America and he himself could no more afford the lifestyle of a poet.  [19]  Therefore the poem can be interpreted as a final farewell to his creation. Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they? he asks, the singing of the birds that are preparing to depart create a melancholy mood that emphasizes the authors reflection of his feelings.  [20]  He might have felt like- since he was ill and had no money to support himself, not to mention the unattainable marriage to Fanny- death was approaching. The fear of dying is reflected in his poems as well, as before the reader could see that Keats was fascinated with death and even considered it to be something positive, he still was afraid of death and dying. In When I Have Fears he admits that I have fears that I may cease to be, Before my pen has gleand my teeming brain, my thoughts not fully achieving his ambitions as a writer  [21]  and that he might die before he could write all he had ever wanted daunted him, as it is common for poets to be afraid of failure. In order to overcome his fears he stands alone, thinks of the relevance of love and fame and the insignificance of a single human being by contrasting himself to the wide world. It gives an effect of loneliness and insinuates to the theme of the poem that is death and fear of dying. In the final two lines Of the wide world I stand alone, and think, Till Love and Fame to nothingness do sink. My thoughts Keats connects the desire for love and fame, that he has to accept are unimportant and to nothingness do sink, to the ceasing of fear and yearning.  [22]   Keats was inspired by Shakespeare and parallels to the existential monologue by Hamlet can be drawn in the poem On Death. Keats contrasts death and life, comparing them to sleep and to a dream. Keats asks à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾can death be sleep when life is but a dreamand in Hamlet Shakespeare has posed a question rather similar to of Keats For in that sleep of death what dreams may come. Both authors think of death as something unknown but yet intriguing and possibly something positive and better as the life on earth. He ridicules people and himself who are religious and crave for afterlife and live in the pursuit of it but when it comes down to dying and reaching their dream, they fear death that leads to it since à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾we think the greatest pains to die. Keats contemplates how à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾strange it is that people have to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾lead a life of woe and despair, that a man is made to suffer on earth and only in the afterlife gain bliss and happiness. The last two lines in On Death are addressed on the subject of being able or daring to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾view alone his future doom that is in fact face death. There is a change in the last line of the poem, where Keats compares death to an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾awakening saying his future doom which is but to awake. The fear of death takes over once again, using negative vocabulary, the words à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾doom, woe, rugged, alone, pain, roam, indicate a dark atmosphere and make the death seem like a final suffering before the awakening. Keats contrasts sleep and being awake by indicating that waking up is something negative as he uses the word doom and as if coming out of the fantasy is like dying. My thoughts The pleasures of life Keats longed to possess were transient and only a visi on as he expresses his thoughts in On Death. But as the author was able to make peace with death it is not the greatest pain, therefore, to die Keats thought of it abnormal for a person to live a life in the veil of tears and walk along the path of woe, even when have seen so much death Keats remained in love with life. His passion towards life and love were overwhelming and reflect in his works and letters. The love affair with Fanny was the evidence of how much passion and love and devotion Keats possessed. Conclusion John Keats was greatly affected by death and since he had to lose many of his loved ones at a young age that made him even more vulnerable and opened to creations. In connection to nature, love and creation, Keats captivates the reader to contemplate on death as he often did. The often extreme examples of the fantasy of dying and living in a dream show how much his short life was full of grief and how Keats was fascinated by death and dying. The author uses vocabulary that helps to create a certain atmosphere or portray an image of what feelings the author wanted to convey to the reader. Keats often fell into extremes by expressing his thoughts on death, his ultimate dream to die and be with his loved one simultaneously and the concept of Negative Capability are examples of his struggle to balance between reality and fantasy. The longing to escape the harsh reality and face the real world seemed like doom for him. His existential thoughts are represented in his works as he accepts de ath as a normal part of life. Keats still remains captivated by dying and death since it is something unknown. His works represent his life and the way he felt and decided to live his short life. My thoughts and previous ideas from sources He had lived, he had loved and he had seen death, but as Keats had wished Here lies one whose name was writ in water to be written on his tombstone.  [23]  It can be considered true that A poet is not at all poetical. He is the most un-poetical thing in existence. He has no identity.  [24]  

Luxury Brand Is An Illusion Cultural Studies Essay

Luxury Brand Is An Illusion Cultural Studies Essay What is a luxury fashion brand? To understand the luxury we have to have a taste for it. Hallmark of the taste re ­sts in sensitivity, from feelings. Every one has a different taste, but it is indispensable for eve ­ryone. Someone has a taste of luxury, and he can not afford to buy cheap thinks. Luxury brands work on an equal basis. We are not born with the right taste as well as there are no born masters in the right taste for fashion. Perfect luxury fashion brand consist of many ele ­ments, as a result of harmony. People wear different brands to express their personal style but also social and class relationships. Luxury brand can help them to be on higher social level, but is it true? Someone can buy one luxury model and to imersonate for rich people in the upper class. A lot of people can buy a Louis Vuitton bag, because it is the Louis Vuitton bag. They do not buy it, because of the quality. These people buy it because of the brand. But it everything depends on the taste, someone will buy the bag because of the quality, another one, because of the brand. The purpose of this dissertation is to clarify the identity and advertisement of the brands and to find out how they make the luxury illusion. The thesis traces the basic growth of the luxury. It depicts not only the growth of the luxury, but mainly the luxury fashion brands as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce Gabbana and Chanel. Their brand image, advertisement and placement in the luxury world. Buying the luxury products can represent that less people use to buy luxury products comparing to products concerning the physiologic needs. Paradoxically, the luxury products have become the property of the general public. Every star has a connection with monogram LV. Why this or the other luxury brands change the world? Why everyone want to be stigmatizing by the logo LV? To own the luxury Vuitton bag is a dream of a lot of women. It can be fetisch, prestige, snobbery, fashion, lust for luxury, quality or just not to be different from the other world. Vuitton is the McDonalds of the luxury industry, says Dana Thomas The logo LV is known worldwide as the logo of McDonald ´s. 2. The concept of luxury What is the definition of luxury? The perception of luxury is relative. People from various cultures can define luxury differently. The role of the luxury has been important from the beginning of civilisation as it is in modern society. Earlier, the usage of luxury was confined to the elite classes. The meaning of luxury was pretty clear. The elite classes could be defined as luxury, whatever the poor. Nowdays, it is often interpreting luxury as a phenomenon structured by rivalry for social position and social rivality. Therefor the luxury for some people may be ordinary for othrers. Luxury evokes feelings of uniqueness and exclusivity, and is characterised by products of high quality, controlled distribution and premium pricing (Okonkwo, 2009). Luxury can be also defined by something expensive and extravagant. According to Tungate (2009) theluxury can be a basic human need. People want to taste the luxury. The luxury brand endeavour to connect contrary requirements: to continue with tradition and innovation, to be authentic and at the same time to be modern. The emphasis is placed on dynamic development of the brands and primary demand for renovation and creativity. Luxury brands play an everyday role in our live. But if the luxury good can be found everywhere it loses its exclusivity and becomes ordinary. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾The current definition of a brand has however evolved from marks, names, logos and shapes to elaborate marketing development and strategies. The result is the creation of something powerful and consistent, which has the ability to produce emotional and psychological attachment with consumers and financial value for the brand owner. (Okonkwo, 2007:9) The luxury fashion brand is created by marketing communication, an excellent quality of the product and fashionability. Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Dolce Gabbana are very well established and succesful luxury brands.The primacies between luxuries keep the Louis Vuitton form the beggining of origin, without questions. Brand image Brand concept/identity We are what we buy, so for some of us fashion is way to express identity. Hancock, 2009 Okonkwo (2009) proposes that the brand can not be created only by name. In implication the branding concept depend on customers their feelings and perceptions from different messages from each brand. She also introduced that the brand concept and name are the main elements of the identity. The concept could be inconquerable and catchy for customers. The traditional brand concept should be always related to logo, sign or label for physical differentiation. Okonkwo defined luxury fashion brand as brand strenght, differentation, exclusivity, innovation, product craftmanship and precision, premium pricing and high quality. Brand concept and image is essentially how the consumers perceive the brand identity. The brand image is an important for consumers, how they feel about a company. Two men and one vision If Cinderella ever needed to replace her fairy godmother, she would call Dolce Gabbana. This design team creates products that sparkle and has managed to change the staunch and uptight image of luxury fashion, making it fun and exciting for everyone. (Hancock, 2009:53) In the year 1985 Domenic Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have gone down to the fashion scene. The connection of sociable Stefan and more serious and sedulous Domenic began in 1980 when they met in the design company when they worked. Their relation full of emotion, passion and love in fashion created the key of their succes. Stefano loves colours and patterns. While Domenico loves sharp cut shapes and a perfect style. Their brand shows lifestyle of modern live on the based of tradition. Dolce Gabbana has very strong brand image. Dolce Gabbana ´s advertising campaigns have added to their controversial image. (Hancock, 2009:54) Their identity celebrates women and their sexiness, although they are homosexuals. Hancock (2009) states that the stories of this brand are intended for people who were not expected to wear the luxury fashion. It can be for unusual people who do not wear the brand, but their own image. Dolce Gabbana branding story is about taking the nontraditional fashion costumer and demonstrating how they can be stylish and sophisticated in their own way. (Hancock, 2009:53) According to Hancock, Domenico and Stefan are sometimes part of their own advertisements and campaigns as models. They want to reflect the spirit, reputation and image of the brand. Gucci Italian named Guccio Gucci had a passion for horse, from this reason he decided to establish a business with leather accesories designate for the purpose of riding horse, in 1921. While Guccio attend his passion throughout his life, his three sons aspired along something bigger and more succesful. For several years the Gucci brand became famous. The brand had a brilliant and classic identity represented with elegance and style. Until then Tom Ford became the creative director. He had a major influence of Gucci ´s succes, he radically change it from base. With Tom Fords vision Guccis image was reinvented. Ford has displayed highly sexual images through his design, fashion shows and advertising. The importance of the Gucci brand positioning is that is distinctive and has an aura of exclusivity amongst its target audience. Gucci has a wide range of products ranging from shoes, watches, jewellery, clothes, perfumes, eyewear, baby wear, home goods (including furniture, bedding and wallpaper), luggage, handbags and gifts (even including gadgets for pets). The brand identity of Gucci can include the double G symbol, the Gucci webbing the red and green pattern, the horse bit, the Gucci ´s signature, the monogram whit the double G symbol and a flower print called the Flora print. Everything from these attributes is visible in each of the collection. Gucci use different promotional strategies than for example Louis Vuitton. Gucci incorporates shocking issues in their marketing strategy to promote brand imagery, Louis Vuitton use celebrity. The image and aura of prestige surrounding Gucci gives added value to the products. This is created through advertising, innovative designers and the whole experience of buying Gucci à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¾A great dress exist just for an instant maximum, until the end of the party. Fashion is all illusion. Appearance is all illusion. And this moment of perception of beauty is what matters most. But this moment goes away, it wears off. Tom Ford Louis Vuitton The history of modern luxury goes down to the foretime. In 1854 Louis Vuitton and his wife established their own company with travelling case. Louis was made famous for crafting the luggage for Napoleon. It is reason why the brand has become synonymous with luggage and in particular handbags. Louis opened his store and established Maison Louis Vuitton. Always a visionary, he invented the first flat trunk, a model that was ingenious, elegant, and strong the first modern luggage. Travelling took on a luxurious attribute. A legend was born. (Pasols, 2007:51) The succes of this brand became immediatelly. (Pasols, 2007:54) Nowdays, the handbags and suitcase Louis Vuitton are rhe symbols of social situation over the world. LV monogram design can be considered as the first brand on the product. It was developed in 1896 to prevent from falsification. Nevertheless Louis Vuitton is the most counterfeit brand in the fashion history. This company carefully cultivates celebrities and had used famous models and actresses in their campaigns. LV has a strong support of brand images. Last ten years was very succesful for Louis Vuitton mainly because of Marc Jacobs, the creative director from 1997. The charismatic designer assumed by simplicity and colour scheme. The principal leather goods lines of Louis Vuitton are: the Monogram line, a historical canvas created in 1896, also available in Monogram vernis, mini, satin, multico and denim; the Damier line in three colours, ebony, blue azur and the Damier Graphite line for men, launched in 2008; the Cuir Epi line, offered in nine colours, the TaÃÆ' ¯ga line for men in four colours (LouisVuitton.com, 2010) The symbol of Louis Vuitton is the monogram that appears on each of the products of Louis Vuitton provides. This symbol has an international success and represents the key symbol of the brand. One point that influences the reputation of LV is their communication and marketing strategy. Louis Vuitton does not use TV and radio to communicate. They publish commercials in fashion magazines, but not in the public places. Chanel Nothing is more beautiful than freedom of the body. (Bott, 2007:28) Emancipated liberal but also angry and egocentric Frenchwoman delivers woman ´s body from corset. Coco Chanel has enforced princip of elegance and simplicity. In 1909 Coco opened her first hatter ´s in Paris. From 1913 she started to produce also fashion and opened fashion houses firstly in spa centers. In 1919 has founded her own butique in Deauville and Biarritz with the financial help of Arthur Capel. The butique is still there. Coco has enriched the fashion world. Chanel ´s iconic symbols are Chanel No. 5, jewelry, and of cource the black dress. The fashion icon Chanel died in 1971, fortunately, her brothers adopted the brand and they have kept the great reputation of Chanel. Succesfull fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld is the creative director from 1983. Lagerfeld has observed the stylish elegance and unconvential themes of famous Coco Chanel. The monogram double C has been still the most famous brand of haute couture. The timeless Chanel brand is a perfect illustration of the house ´s determination and talent for  ´suprising without shocking ´. (Bott,2007:7) Promotion, place of distribution Promotion plays an important role in communicationin luxury fashion idustry. Understandably, one of the main indicators of promotion is advertising. Advertising communicate via message of the brand. Promotion has an enormous influence to costumers, through the images, colourful composition, design and atmosphere of the campaigns and even the store and architecture connected with the luxury brand. Okonkwo, 144 The advertisement of luxury fashion brands is placed mainly in fashion and lifestyle magazines, because of there are the target audience. The stores are also very important for promotion. Stores of these luxury brands are located on expensive high street locations. For example the window of Gucci ´s store portrait a provocative images. But the interior of every luxury fashion brand have a free flow layout as its visually appealing and allows consumers to browse comfortably. Everything including dà ©cor is rich and classic to add to the atmosphere of the store. The sleslaidies are often dressed all in black and ready to assist consumers in any way. Even the security guard is suitably dressed to add to the image. Advertisement Advertisement is all around us. It becomes a strange in marketing communication, psychology and design. It can be a key method in building of identity of luxury brands. It helps to create the illusion of luxury. Design should be about creating the advertisement or campaign with a purpose. In addition, the advertisements of luxury brands are means of communicating the brands ´story, starting from their history and development to their personality and image, products and service (Okonkwo, 2007:145) SEX SELLS Sexual context and provocative pose are in the advertisement for everything nowdays. From parfumes and underwear up to food. But nobody take exception to this. Sex in the advertisement occuring the media. Costumers want to see this. In every fashion magazines is at least one sexy advertisement. The fashion adverts in fashion, or lifestyle magazines are given mainly for woman. These fashion campaigns do not degrade woman as an object for men ´s pleasure.The fashion industry wants to captivate. This kind of advertisement can be shocking, but not original. Dolce Gabbana ´s campaigns go hand in hand with their image. Advertising must reflect a company ´s capability to convey strong brand images to the global market. (Hancock, 2009:65) The controversial campaigns are the key of their succes. Their campaigns tell a story with an Italian character, sensual and unique style. The main illusion of any luxury brand creates the image of various campaigns. The photographer has an enormous influence on the branding process. (Tungate, 2008:103) The photographers create the image that brings the brand to life. (Tungate, 2008:105) Stephen Klein photographed spring campaign for Dolce Gabbana in 2008. The luxury products are defined by the quality and uniquenees. Photos and advertisement from the campaigns could have the quality and uniqueness as well as the products. Steven Klein ´s pictures are original, unrepeatable and unique as Dolce Gabbana. What is the real signification of his work? He is almost perfect master in coloured interpretation of pistures and light moods, dark, erotic, surreal and visual aesthetics. All of these images have an atmosphere and feelings. Klein ´s specialisation of his work can be focused mainly on the colours. The colourful representation of Klein ´s pictures is the one part which makes it perfect. Colorful precision create every detail and tone for the final view. All of these details and tones have their own reason. Most of the campaigns photographed by him make the dramatical colorful impression. Light as the most important component for creating of the photographic image, is one of the fundamental parts for the author ´s handwritten. Play of lights and shadows make the campaign clear and readable. The other significant part for creating of the photographic image is undoubtedly the composition. Particular components create the composition. Campaign for Dolce Gabbana 2004 can be the clear example of the perfect composition. The whole gathering of people and object has never been accidental, rather on the contrary. The composition is very specificly elaborated from the beginning. For viewer the picture is clearly arranged across a lot of components. At the photography are ten people in the space of an attic apartment with various objects. The coloured carpet, pictures on the wall, lamps, books and magazines. Despite of the image is synoptical. In the left part of photography is a man standing next to the window. Later became visible his violent yellow shoes, which is given to the space by view through underneath the table. On the table is another man standing, this time with blue shoes. The blue is given to the space in the composition again. Girls on the sofa have their legs m atted together. Therefor their figures are not deformed. The girl in front of the image is outstanding mainly because of the colourful shoes, which she wears. All of the images and people from the photography sophisticetely look out and the models do not appeal brokenly. The feeling from this campaign can be random people just accidentally met there. The women from Klein ´s photographs have enormous long legs, their countenance is lost in dreams and stress the clothes. The women ´s body is exponentiated by motion. Their gesture should express a specific dynamism and earnestness. The models are often captured in a motion of walk, moving of their hands, or beckward bend. Backswept create an excelent effect the position can be very unnatural, but the issue is more interesting. In Dolce Gabbana 2006 campaign Klein use the powerful motion. The image applies dynamism, however not dramatically. The detail was seeting to model ´s hands, concretely their fingers. It adds the appropriate elegance. The persons are mutually affected and tell a story by this. According to Hancock (2009) each of the ads is a story that increases the brand ´s mysterious image. Hancock also proposes that their campaigns are almost cinematic. Steven Klein as well as Dolce Gabbana has found an inspiration in some celebrities in between we can include Maddona. The woman of a lot of faces, already the whole world admires, has always wanted to be an idol of women and men. Nowdays, Madonna indicates a trend not only in music, but also in fashion and style. And she is inspiration for others. It was a good step to use Madonna as an icon for their campaigns. Madonna created a perfect illusion for the brand in the new campaign 2010. The images should showcase an intimate, real aspect to the ultimate icons life.   She was interprated as a typical Italian, maybe perfect woman, wife and mother. Woman want to be like her, in spite of that it is not real. The whole campaign radiates an energy, Italian temperament and strain. Maddona was portrayed during everydays situation shopping, washing dishes, and other housework. But openely, is it real Madonna? No, it is just the perfect illusion of the new campaign. Another luxury fashion brand with very sexual advertisement is Gucci. Tom Ford started in 1990 as a designer for Gucci. After four years he became the creative director and he had a responsibility about all of the product lines fashion, perfumes, the brand image, advertising and campaigns and even design of shops. Gucci creates controversial advertising such as the promotion of Opium perfume with a naked photo of Sophie Dahl. This caused uproar in Britain and was banned by the advertising standards, as it accounted for a third of all complaints about poster adverts. However this campaign managed to win advertising awards throughout Europe. Gucci under the direction of Tom Ford had a several scandals campaigns. Really good example of the shocking sexual and scandal campaign was spring/summer 2003; model Carmen Kass and logo Gucci in the place where it would not be. She is  pulling down her knickers and showing off body hair shaved into the letter G. This campaign was photographed by Mario Testino. We can give him a name: realism of luxury. He is known for his highly sophisticated, stylish, clear and fresh images; sometimes he used exotical or sexual undertone photos. But he always shock people by his controversial eyeview on the world. Testino shoted more campaigns for Gucci, but the G is the most memorable. Supermodels and sexuality sells Mario Testino worked also for Dolce Gabbana ´s, he shoted the campaign Fragrance. Models from the campaign represent a personality attached to the fragrance. For example Naomi Campbell should represent the star, while Claudia Schiffer should figure the dreamer and Eva Herzigova with Fernando Fernandes figured the players. The other significant photographer for Gucci is Terry Richardson. Richardson ´s lurid, funny, blatantly sexual pictures famously shot on an old Instamatic continue to provoke controversy today. Tungate, 107 Terry was drug addict and punk. Only these facts can be controversial in the contrast with the shiny luxury world. This man likes to take photos of nude models. It is Terry Richardson; he brought a shock, pornography, confrontation, energy and roughness to the fashion photography. The very nude woman wears nothing, just the product, placed between her legs. His images are perverse as this campaiign for Gucci ´s fregnance. Gucci campaign spring 2010 is all customary a part of a coherent themed. The pictures were probably taken in the same environment with the same overall expression. The environment, bright colours and lightening is confusing. It is not absolutely clear what time of the day is. The lightness is focused on models than the rest of the image. It may be an early morning after party, because the models are dressed for occation. Everything from these images has an element of luxury. The campaign is provocative a s most of Gucci ´s adverts. The long legs, sexy pose and dress is lifestyle and glamour as Gucci. CELEBRITIES According to Okonkwo (2007), celebrities play very important role in luxury fashion sector. These icons must be famous around the world, they have to be the best and talented in their field of producing, the personality of the celebrities must reflect the brand and of cource they should look beautiful almost everytime. Therefore the celebrity must not disguise the brand. The brands used the celebrities to make the brand communicating through their message. The icons show a connection with brand and people want to be like them. Other personality attributes that the celebrity may have such as glamour, beauty, talent and style will also be ultimately linked with the brand. (Okonkwo, 2007:160) The brand shows the connection between the celebrities and brand. The gorgeous people in the magazines and on television unconsciously speak to you, telling you that their lifestyle and material possessions like their clothes and accesories can also make you beautiful and help you become a part of their world. (Okonkwo, 2007:7) Louis Vuitton fall/winter campaign 2002 2003 called Faity Tale figured Eva Herzigova as Cinderella. Photographers of this campaign were Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. (Pasols, 2007:380) The big companies often use big celebrities into their campaigns. When they also used a big photographer for their advertisement, the succes must be guaranteed. Louis Vuitton is not exception. For a few years the famous photographer Annie Liebovitz creates visuals for LV. She has already externalized the actor Catherine Deneve, politics Michaela GorbaÄ ov or the famous tennis couple Steffi Graf and Andrà © Agassi. The face of their campaign in 2008 was also guitarist of Rolling Stones Keith Richards. He looks like timeless man with a wild live. Simultaneously, he is still on the roads, almost an ideal icon. Annie Liebovitz was able to catch the emotion and story in this camapign. The campaign was devoted to trevelling. It should display a way over self knowledge. Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson, Diane Kruger, and Uma Thurman have all embodied the Louis Vuitton woman: desirable, elusive, changeable, and elegant, according to fashion and season. (Pasols, 2007:380) Madonna is an icon, so it is clear that she appeard also in Louis Vuitton campaign in 2008. The campaign has an excelent atmosphere as all of the Vuitton ´s campaigns. The atmosphere is like from the old french movie. The smoky bistro, the luxury handbag and a beautiful woman in mini and hight heels it is the other presentation of one of the richnes singer in the world, entirely for different luxury brand. Famous fashion photographer Steven Meisel shoted this pictures. Steven Meisel can be known as a genious of fashion photography. Consequently it is not an accident that he photographed campaigns for Louis Vuitton. The new campaign of LV 2010 was also shoted by this genious. It can looks like the era of celebrities in fashion campaigns is over. Only DolceGabanna used Madonna for their 2010 campaign. However, the other luxury fashion brands went back to the charm of supermodels. Christy Turlington, Karen Elson and Natalia Vodianova are the new faces of LV campaign. Meisel shoted this campaign in atelior in New York. They wanted to show a beauty of women ´s body, diversity and more adult aesthetics. It can be paradoxial that the most influental and luxury brand Louis Vuitton introduced an advertisement, which was consequentlly forbidden. According to Advertising Standard Authority in UK the advertisement could bring the costumers in mistake. The customers could think that all of the Louis Vuitton products are hand made. While, in fact the bags were made on the sewings machines. These ads were made by Oglivy and Mather. There was figured a woman stitching the handle of a handbag, or a woman creating the folds of a wallet. It could look that the women made the handbag by hand, but it was not true. As well as Louis Vuitton, the other luxury brand use celebrity for their campaigns Chanel. Although they have similar marketing strategy many celebrities and supermodels, Chanel is more clasic in the producing of its brand. From the nativity of perfume Chanel no. 5 it became the most famous and the most selling perfume over the world. This famous perfume has everything what is typical for Chanel femininity, courageousness, fashionableness, black and white. However, today it is not just a perfume, it is much more. Chanel No. 5 is part of our collective counsciousness, it represent a legend and exteriorize of luxury. In the new advertising spot actor Audreu Tatou became a sixth muse of Chanel No. 5. She goes in the steps of Vicky Hilbert, Catherine Deneuve, Carole Bouquet, Estelly Warren or Nicole Kidman. Audreu Tatou represents a woman with free and equal mind. She can do what she want, to travel by herself in luxury night train. This spot has an atmosphere of luxury. It is story about man and women, libidinous met in the train.They attract together Chanel No. 5 is killing. In the new campaign for Chanel lighted up the British singer Lilly Allen. Lilly has considered as a muse of Karl Lagerfeld, the creative director of Chanel for a long time, but now she became the icon of Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld photographed this campaign by himself. The campaign is elegant and clasic, black and white, yet the campaign can feel very playful. As I mentioned before, Chanel does not need shock. Therefore Chanel does not produce only classic and elegant advertisement Kate Moss wear only long beads with cap in one of their campaigns. Kate Moss is known for her acces to drugs. In spite of this, she is an icon for pretty much luxury brand. Conclusion This dissertation has aimed to provide a basis explaining of the luxury fashion brands, and the illusion which the luxury create. We buy the luxury fashion as a demonstration of our social situation and desire for recognition. Fashion is a symbol of society. It is probably a tool for satisfaction of our sences. The luxury brands could create the illusion by helps of their tradition. Surely, brands as Louis Vuitton, or Gucci have the aura of luxury deservedly. But sincerely, vast majority of the costumers buy product of this brand on the score of the brand. Luxury fashion is not just about the most faked brands. (Okonkwo, 2007:238) says that definition of luxury can be also a dream for someone. To buy a luxury brand is a way to obtain status and enhance the self, satisfying ego needs. A necessity for consumers buying luxury can be that the products brand image is concurrent with their own self-image. The fashion status and aura of exclusivity is of primary concern to these exclusive luxury brands. The advertisement and campaigns help the brands create the illusion. The advertisement has an enormous influence for people. In the advert are beautiful women, or men, celebrities or icons. It is the dream in hidden reality. And if we talked about luxury fashion brands, the dream is bigger. People want to live in dream as the people from images. It is evident that for example Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel use different promotional strategies. For instance Gucci as well as Dolce Gabbana incorporates controversial and even shocking, sexual issues into their marketing strategy to promote their brand imagery. On the other hand Louis Vuitton use celebrity as their promotion, whereas Chanel especially try to concentrates on the classic and elegant style as mention of history and tradition of this brand. Every brand bring different dream, but it is still dream or illusion. Wheter the luxury brands have a perfect quality, tradition and exlusivity or not, they create the illusion. Ilussion for people who feel better, more luxurious or highly sociable owing to the brand. But maybe why not? Illusion can make the people feel better.

Patriot Essay -- essays papers

Patriot Benjamin Martin had seven children. His wife died while giving birth to his youngest daughter, Susan. The Martin family lived in South Carolina, where he built a small home on a farm. The Martin’s were well known and liked by both Patriots and Whigs alike. They only hired freedmen. Benjamin enjoyed making furniture; his main goal was to make the perfect chair, the three-pound rocking chair. His plantation, Fresh Water Plantation, was his retirement plan. The Patriot begins in March 1776, with a messenger from the Continental Mail Service delivering a stack of letters to Benjamin Martin. The most urgent letter was from the Speaker of the Assembly. Everyone who was old enough knew what this meant. Benjamin’s sons thought war was glorious and were excited by the letter. Benjamin, who was a veteran of the French and Indian war, was not. He learned the hard way how gruesome war was, and didn’t want to have anything to do with it, nor his family. His oldest son Gabriel scared him the most. Gabriel wanted to join the war, and was old enough to do it. The note was an invitation to a meeting in Charles Town where the colonies would decide whether they’d join the cause or not. Benjamin and family left for Charles Town to stay with their aunt Charlotte on their mother’s side. Benjamin and Charlotte had a spark between them, but Benjamin was not yet over his wife. At the meeting, an argument over why the colon ies should all unite was in full strength. Benjamin, who was thought to be a Patriot, stood and made a point as to why he should not join the war, and offered an alternative to war. By the end of the meeting, Martin said he would not agree to make a vote that allowed a war to go on in his backyard. Benjamin’s children were ashamed by their father’s words. The levy was passed, however, and Benjamin later caught up with Gabriel who was in line to enlist in the war. There was nothing he could do to change his son’s mind. Colonial Harry Burwell told Martin he’d take care of his son. Gabriel was away for nearly two years. Benjamin’s second oldest son, Thomas, grew thirsty for war himself. The war was growing closer to Fresh Water Plantation. Gunshots were within earshot. Gabriel returned home wounded and bloody. Soon the battle took place on Martin’s ground. His home was soon transformed into a hospital. Both Patriots ... ...y, and if Burwell didn’t see Martin in that time, he’d make the letter final. Martin went to his family, but soon returned to the war in thee weeks. Approximately five months later, Martin and his militia hiked to the top of a nearby hill to see Seven Thousand French troops. There was also a barricade in the sea, preventing British supplies from coming in. A few weeks later, the British raised the white flag. General Washington thanked the militia greatly for their contributions to the war. Burwell and Martin talked about what they planned to do now that the war was finally over. So much had changed; Martin had lost two of his boys. Burwell informed Martin that he had named his new son after Gabriel. Martin soon departed for his family. His wife was pregnant, so he had to wait at Gullah Village until his eighth child was old enough to travel. He planned to rebuild at Fresh Water Plantation, but worried because he didn’t know how he’d be able to finish in time for the winter. When he arrived at his homestead, he found that people were already building on his property. He was delighted though, when he found that it was a few of his militiamen helping to rebuild his home.

Problems with Standardized Testing Essay example -- Standardized Testin

Problems with Standardized Testing â€Å"Where is the standardized test that can measure passion for learning, respect for others, and human empathy?† These are the words of Tom McKenna, a disgruntled high school teacher from Portland, Oregon. Like many other educators and students across the nation, Tom is tired of the system. The educational system today is composed of a series of standardized tests. Standardized tests are bad for many reasons. They cause teachers to limit their curriculum, put low-level income and minority students at a disadvantage, cause school districts to focus too heavily on raising test scores, and extract the passion for learning from students.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In many cases teachers are encouraged to teach only material that will be seen on certain standardized tests. For this reason, teachers are forced to extract superfluous material from the course. Instead, teachers focus only on specific items from the test. Students are encouraged to memorize isolated facts and regurgitate short responses. In an article published by the FairTest organization, this method is called â€Å"teaching the test.† Teaching the test seems to be conducive to improving test-taking skills but real academic progression is not always represented.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The aforementioned Tom McKenna was put in this very predicament. In his article titled, â€Å"The Straitjacket of Standardized Tests† he tells a story of two of his high school students engaged in a project which enthralled their interest in an unlikely subject. McKenna had become friends with a man named Sol Shapiro. Shapiro, now in a retirement home, had once been a resident in South Portland, Oregon, which was a Jewish immigrant community. McKenna’s students accompanied him to Shapiro’s house in order to conduct an interview. A few seconds into the interview Shapiro broke down in tears and the students immediately turned off the video camera and tape recorder. The students comforted Sol. They finished the interview, much of which was unrecorded. McKenna noted that these students had an increased interest in oral history following the interview. â€Å"They wanted more.† he noted. He then adds, â€Å"Unfortunately, given the demands of current educational reform in Oregon, teachers are finding it difficult to give students the "more" they desire.† McKenna was referring to the fact that teachers in Oregon are encouraged to striv... ... craft to focus like drones on getting the scores up." If teachers were concerned with inspiring students, they could cause students to be passionate once again.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my personal experience, my freshman history teacher would totally agree with my argument. He always told me that the most important part of the education process is â€Å"knowledge for the sake of knowledge.† This means that students should want to learn in order to gain intelligence. I have always kept this philosophy in high regard and have tried to apply it to my everyday scholastic life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The educational system should be less of a system and more of a process. It should focus on the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development of its’ students. As long as we continue to use standardized tests a change will never be made. Works Cited Elmore, Richard F. â€Å"Testing Trap.† Harvard Magazine Online. October 2002   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing. How Standardized Testing Damages Education. McKenna, Tom. The Straitjacket of Standardized Tests. Spring 1999. Rethinking Schools Online. â€Å"Rethinking Standardized Testing† The Seattle Press Online. 17 May 2001.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Problems with Standardized Testing Essay example -- Standardized Testin Problems with Standardized Testing â€Å"Where is the standardized test that can measure passion for learning, respect for others, and human empathy?† These are the words of Tom McKenna, a disgruntled high school teacher from Portland, Oregon. Like many other educators and students across the nation, Tom is tired of the system. The educational system today is composed of a series of standardized tests. Standardized tests are bad for many reasons. They cause teachers to limit their curriculum, put low-level income and minority students at a disadvantage, cause school districts to focus too heavily on raising test scores, and extract the passion for learning from students.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In many cases teachers are encouraged to teach only material that will be seen on certain standardized tests. For this reason, teachers are forced to extract superfluous material from the course. Instead, teachers focus only on specific items from the test. Students are encouraged to memorize isolated facts and regurgitate short responses. In an article published by the FairTest organization, this method is called â€Å"teaching the test.† Teaching the test seems to be conducive to improving test-taking skills but real academic progression is not always represented.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The aforementioned Tom McKenna was put in this very predicament. In his article titled, â€Å"The Straitjacket of Standardized Tests† he tells a story of two of his high school students engaged in a project which enthralled their interest in an unlikely subject. McKenna had become friends with a man named Sol Shapiro. Shapiro, now in a retirement home, had once been a resident in South Portland, Oregon, which was a Jewish immigrant community. McKenna’s students accompanied him to Shapiro’s house in order to conduct an interview. A few seconds into the interview Shapiro broke down in tears and the students immediately turned off the video camera and tape recorder. The students comforted Sol. They finished the interview, much of which was unrecorded. McKenna noted that these students had an increased interest in oral history following the interview. â€Å"They wanted more.† he noted. He then adds, â€Å"Unfortunately, given the demands of current educational reform in Oregon, teachers are finding it difficult to give students the "more" they desire.† McKenna was referring to the fact that teachers in Oregon are encouraged to striv... ... craft to focus like drones on getting the scores up." If teachers were concerned with inspiring students, they could cause students to be passionate once again.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my personal experience, my freshman history teacher would totally agree with my argument. He always told me that the most important part of the education process is â€Å"knowledge for the sake of knowledge.† This means that students should want to learn in order to gain intelligence. I have always kept this philosophy in high regard and have tried to apply it to my everyday scholastic life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The educational system should be less of a system and more of a process. It should focus on the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development of its’ students. As long as we continue to use standardized tests a change will never be made. Works Cited Elmore, Richard F. â€Å"Testing Trap.† Harvard Magazine Online. October 2002   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing. How Standardized Testing Damages Education. McKenna, Tom. The Straitjacket of Standardized Tests. Spring 1999. Rethinking Schools Online. â€Å"Rethinking Standardized Testing† The Seattle Press Online. 17 May 2001.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Andrew Marvells To His Coy Mistress and John Donnes A Valedictorian:

Andrew Marvell's To His Coy Mistress and John Donne's A Valedictorian: Forbidding Mourning One may define poetry as imaginative and creative writing which uses elements like rhyme, meter, and imagery to express personal thoughts, feelings, or ideas. Certain subjects recur frequently in poetry such as carpe diem, nature, death, and family. Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" and John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbiddmg Mourning," focus on the prevalent topic of love. Although both poems emphasize the importance and meaning of love, the tone of each poem reveals differences with regard to the conception and magnitude of the love; the diction shows contrasting ways in which each poet incorporates love into the overall theme while distinct figurative language devices further convey the themes. All of these differences add to the understanding and effectiveness of the poems. In "To His Coy Mistress," the speaker does not conceive of true, ardent love; to him, love does not go beyond the realm of physical beauty or, perhaps, the realm of his mistress's bedroom. The tone of the first stanza illustrates the insincerity and exaggeration of the speaker with comments like, "An hundred years should go to praise / Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze / Two hundred to adore each breast..." (13-15). Here, the speaker appears to be flirting and fawning upon his young mistress. The second stanza differs greatly from the first in that instead of using flattery to seek love or sexual favors from his mistress, the speaker resorts to blatant honesty. One may describe the tone as altogether realistic, gloomy, and eerie. In this stanza, the speaker clearly explains that his love will diminish when his mistress's beauty fades as he say... ...d easily manipulated; therefore, their love much like the gold can withstand change. Again, in the .final three stanzas, Donne metaphorically compares the two lovers to a compass. As long as his lady remains "firm" (35) or "fixed" (27) like the :fixed foot in the center of the circle, then the she can anticipate her love's return as he completes his journey, his path around the circle. Poems may share certain characteristics, but they often possess unique attributes. Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" and John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning," similarly concentrate on the subject of love. However, each poet contrasts in his conception of love and the way he chooses to disclose this conception through tone, diction, and other figurative language devices. By recognizing the differences, one comes to value and appreciate each poem's significance.

Reflectionpaper Instruction

Reflection Paper Instructions For this assignment, you should compose a 3-page double-spaced paper that addresses how the principles that you have learned throughout this course have changed your understanding of what it means to be a Christian. You will submit your first paper in Module/Week 4 and your second paper is Module/Week 8. You should follow the format of Praxis: Beyond Theory when completing your papers. The format is: 1. An explanation of the topic/doctrine 2. Scriptural basis for the doctrine 3.Practical application of the doctrine to the life of the student NOTE: Students should write on topics which are not specifically addressed in the Praxis: Beyond Theory text. As you respond to the prompt, reflect on the concepts that you have learned throughout the course, and apply them to your specific topic. Be sure to integrate the information that you learned through the textbook readings, the assigned article readings, the lecture videos, and any other related content that y ou may have encountered during the course. Your paper should also: 1.Describe the course concepts that are related to your topic, demonstrating your reflection and analysis. Do not simply summarize what was presented in class. 2. Demonstrate real ownership of the ideas that you present by providing unique insight as evidence of your careful consideration of the topic. 3. Provide a logical link between the description of the concepts from the course, and the conclusions or implications that you draw in your reflection. In other words, your conclusion should be logically derived from the application of the course concepts to the description of your topic. . Demonstrate learning initiative by exploring conclusions and implications beyond the boundaries of our classroom discussion. 5. Focus on depth of understanding, rather than breadth of coverage. Format your paper in a MS Word document with 12 point, Times New Roman font and one-inch margins. Review the Reflection Paper Grading Rubri c to see the specific grading criteria by which you will be evaluated before submitting your paper. Structure your paper in the following format (inserting the headings within the paper): I.Introduction (one paragraph introducing the two topics/doctrines that you will address) II. Part One (first topic: approximately one page in length) a. Theological Definition b. Biblical Foundation c. Practical application III. Part Two (second topic: approximately one page in length) a. Theological Definition b. Biblical Foundation c. Practical Application IV. Conclusion (one paragraph summarizing your areas of progression in Christian thought) V. Grading Rubric (this must be copied and pasted into the end of your paper)

The Straight-Edge and the Scene

Straight-Edge and the Scene For some youth it’s all about the scene. What is the scene? The scene is a general reference to the music venues in which these youth participate. The straight-edge subculture is one that many may not be familiar with. Why is this? Probably because the straight-edge lifestyle is one of the few countercultures in which the youth that is involved tries to steer clear of drugs and overindulgence. It is closely related to the hardcore/punk music scene. The straight-edge lifestyle refers to people who are involved with the hardcore/punk lifestyle but they refrain from drinking alcohol, using drugs, smoking cigarettes, and promiscuous sex. This subculture was created as a social movement against authority, drug abuse, and any type of overindulgence associated with punk rock (Kirchner, 2009). Background: the 1970’s to the Present Individuals who are straight edge take a pledge to live a drug, promiscuous, alcohol, and cruelty free lifestyle. Sometimes, this even extends into vegetarianism and veganism and Hare Krishna, a belief based on Hindu scripture (Kirchner, 2009). The basic philosophy of the straight-edge lifestyle centers around self control and regaining as much of one’s personal control over their lives as possible, by getting rid of the negative influences (Kirchner, 2009). Straight-edger’s, a common nickname, usually are involved with the environment, animal rights and pride their counterculture on keeping their focus on higher learning and a positive outlook (Wood, 2006). The straight-edge subculture emerged in the late 1970’s (Wood, 2006). The term straight-edge was coined by musician Ian MacKaye in a song called â€Å"Straight Edge† which he wrote for his band, Minor Threat. Their music was fast and powerful with angry and thoughtful lyrics, which is how straight-edge seemed to be viewed as at first. With further understanding, it was found that the straight-edge lifestyle was the opposite. In the 1970’s only a slew of prominent artists rejected drugs and alcohol and influenced the straight-edge ideology (Wood, 2006). After the term straight-edge was thrown out into the music community, many people picked up on it and many other bands for decades to come centered their music and lifestyle on the straight-edge, drug free lifestyle. Minor Threat was the first band to use the term straight edge and adopt the letter X as a representation of being straight-edge and living the lifestyle. The X symbol was believed to originate from the use of the letter on people who were underage (under 21) to symbolize that they were too young to drink at the shows and became the symbol for straight-edge by being used on album covers, as body art, and other paraphernalia (Kirchner, 2009). In the 1980’s the influence of music on the straight-edge seemed to be at an all-time high. Many bands seemed to be using the straight-edge lifestyle as a stepping stone and inspiration for their songs. During the mid-1980’s many of the vegetarianism and veganism ideas stemmed out and gripped straight-edge community members (Cogan, 2008). This propelled a trend towards animal rights and vegetarianism that would reach its peak in the 1990’s. Straight-edger’s want to be directly involved with both the music community in which they support, by either playing in a band or writing a webzine or article for the music and their regular community by helping with any aspect of it. Straight-edger’s use this subculture to move away from the stigma of destruction that hardcore and punk music seems to have veiled over the industry. Militant straight-edger’s were first identified in the early 1990’s. These individuals were characterized by less tolerance for those who were not straight-edge, more outspokenness, and more willingness to resort to violence in order to promote clean living and fight against homosexuality and abortion (Woods, 2006). This willingness to resort to violence led to some parts of the United States paying close attention to the straight-edge subculture and the subculture being treated as a gang by law officials. However, â€Å"a study done in 2006 suggests that a small minority of individuals who identify with the straight-edge subculture are violent. † (Woods, 2006: 38). In the 2000’s the straight-edge movement has become less violent and more about promoting a positive lifestyle. Straight-edge has moved out into different genres of music instead of staying specific to the punk/metal scene. The decline of aggressive behavior has been linked to the lack of a well known band leading the straight-edge movement (Irwin, 1999). The amount of tolerance from people who are straight-edge to non-straight edge participants has grown as well (Irwin, 1999). Deviant Theories Applied: Straight-Edge and Theories First, we have to ask why the straight-edge subculture is deviant. The straight-edge culture embraces moral inclination in a positive way. This subculture does not fit the â€Å"norms† of society. By abstaining from substances, sex, and other negative things, it makes this subculture stick out. If, in society, something about a group or person sticks out, they become deviant, which is departing from anything that is socially accepted or â€Å"usual† (Clinard, Meier, 2011). In the early 1990’s violence that was related to the straight-edge movement was high. Some militant actors used violence against random people and other straight-edge members who were drinking, smoking, or doing drugs in order to try and spread their substance free message. This violence was brought on because of their direct relation with the straight-edge culture. Functionalism can be used to describe this time period for the straight-edge activists. Functionalism describes how different social occurrences uphold and disturb social stability. It also claims that society needs crime to be functional and for various other reasons such as attaining group unity, innovation, and setting and preserving moral limitations. The straight-edge subculture has many moral limitations. They have a strict set of requirements that they have to follow in order to be considered straight-edge. The violence that took place by the straight-edge subculture was due to the fact that many who committed the violence, to random people or other straight-edge members, was for the preservation of their morals. Any type of substance abuse, promiscuity, and meat eating is an implicit sin for members of the straight-edge community. The disregard of these rules by both participants and non-participants in the straight-edge subculture alike were reason for some members in this group to become violent (Woods, 2006). Militant straight-edger’s used violence to try and force a straight-edge lifestyle onto others because they viewed, and for those who still use violence today, still view their lifestyle as the most morally right. The straight-edge lifestyle also indirectly calls for unity by forcing its members to follow the straight-edge lifestyle’s specific guidelines, such as not drinking. When members conflict with this or associate themselves with people who drink, smoke, or indulge in anything morally incorrect violence usually followed. In this subculture the deviance mainly applies to the push against abusing drugs, alcohol, and overindulging in any way. Why do individuals in the straight-edge community take this approach? The social learning theory may be able to explain this. The social learning theory asks how people become deviant and whether it is learned (Clinard, Meier, 2011). With this particular subculture it can be said that the majority of the straight-edge lifestyle is learned from music and peers. Many individuals who are involved in the straight-edge lifestyle found out about this lifestyle from the music scene or their friends. Others, driven to take part in the music scene, joined and others who wanted to be a part of a positive influence on their society because of music joined the straight-edge subculture (Woods, 2006). Many members of the straight-edge community became a part of it because it represented a break away from the increasing sexuality of rock music and the sexual revolution. The sexual revolution offered youth freedom and an alternative to the dating script and the straight-edge counterculture did the same (Kirchner, 2009). The straight-edge understanding embodied freedom as well. The freedoms between the two are quite different as one gave the freedom to indulge in one’s inclinations while the latter gives the freedom to make an intentional habit out of their choices to refrain from overindulgence. In society, sexual behavior is socially learned. What is acceptable and unacceptable sexually is made clear through social informative (Clinard, Meier, 2011). The straight-edge subculture tries to take sexuality back into a time where hooking-up was not the social norm. Being sexually promiscuous is frowned upon in society as well as in the straight-edge subculture. In society heterosexual deviance is an ongoing topic. The straight-edge society wants to be known for exactly the opposite of this. In society, sexual deviance is generally negative. Sometimes, women are objectified and men are a number of different things, which is why the straight-edge community rejects these ideas in order to show society that they have exerted control over their life by abstaining and â€Å"saving† their bodies (Woods, 2006). In the straight-edge society, the double tandard holds true as well because a lot of the time men who proclaim to be straight-edge may be being promiscuous at the time but can still claim the straight-edge lifestyle. A woman doing the same would no longer be looked at as straight-edge (Woods, 2006). Conclusion The straight-edge counterculture is one most interesting, yet unheard of subcultures. The reason why this subculture is so fascina ting is because of the values it represents. Although this group is vague and there are fewer members than before, the preservation of values is one of the many reasons to continue and study this fascinating unconventional group. Overindulgence is something that is common in this day and age. Drug addictions, sexual promiscuity, alcohol abuse, and other substance abuse are not shocking to hear about. These are daily occurrences that the straight-edge culture is trying to remove from their lives. From the 1970’s until now this culture has been constantly changing and rearranging itself to match the attitudes and music of the time. The straight-edge counterculture has been excellent in integrating modern ideas in with more traditional values, all while supporting the music scene. References Clinard, Marshall B. and Robert F. Meier. 2011. Sociology of Deviant Behavior. Belmont, California: Wadsworth. Cogan, Brain. 2008. The Encyclopedia of Punk. New York: Sterling. Kirchner, Michael. 2009. Edge: Perspectives on Drug Free Culture. DVD. California: Halo 8. Irwin, Darrell D. 1999. â€Å"The Straight-Edge Subculture: Examining the Youths’ the Drug Free Way. † Journal of Drug Issues. 20(2): 365 – 380. Wood, Robert T. 2006. Straightedge Youth: Complexity and Contradictions of Subculture. New York: Syracuse University Press.