Abstract This paper looks at gender bias and brings the two plays as examples of how gender politics are guided by the inherited behaviors that are more felt than taught. "Trifles" and "M. Butterfly", are perfect examples of how culture dictates the worst behavior in men against women and how women are belittled by culture.
From the Paper "Subjective truth forms our perception of reality when regarding people, cultures, religion, or any other differentiating factor, and this is true of the male gender-perception of women. Plausibility structures, which govern our perspective and control how we perceive the Other, are part and parcel of every culture, gender, religion, and community. In fact, they are directly responsible for our ability to believe the seemingly unbelievable about others. For example, for a very long time, members of hate groups (which they would call patriotic organizations) have created a culture in which its members are convinced of the reality that all people who are not white are so different from them as to be rendered unimportant. Men have, for millennia, subjected women to a 'reality' that tells them they are inferior of mind and body, are unable to engage in the kinds of activities that men can , and that their contributions to the world can only be in motherhood and as a wife. This, of course, is a subjective truth turned reality for the males of the culture. Only relatively recently have women had enough of a voice to be able to start changing that subjective reality to demonstrate that such is not the case. For the purpose of this discussion, we will examine the works of two dramatists: Susan Glaspell's Trifles, and David Hwang's M. Butterfly. Trifles uses the voices of men in a Greek-chorus-like manner, acting as the conscience or the voice reflected by the plausibility structures of the community, to reinforce Minnie's guilt, the triviality of hers and women's occupations, interests, and preoccupations. M. Butterfly, also depicts the kind of influence that the archetypal structures of community perception (i.e. gender perception of women through men) has over a woman's life. Both of these plays will be discussed further in this vein."
Abstract This paper explains that the concept of 'otherness', or stigma, as a proponent of discriminatory practices dates back to the beginning of human history; stereotyping is associated with stigma in which contention is often based on a misrepresentation of the individual and the group. The author reviews "The Laramie Project", a play based on homosexual Matthew Shepard's death and the aftermath of the hate crime. The paper relates that men tend to fear gay males as a threat to their definition of masculinity; thereby, the stigma of homosexuality is inflated in light of accepted stereotypes and misconceptions resulting in discriminatory practices, including murder.
From the Paper "In 1995 Derek Henkle started his sophomore year at Galena High School in Washoe County, Nevada. He was openly gay, appearing on a local community access channel "in a discussion about the experiences of gay high school students. Soon thereafter, several students approached Henkle at school, calling him "fag," "butt pirate," "fairy," and "homo." They lassoed him around the neck and suggested dragging him behind a truck. He escaped to a classroom and used an internal phone to report the incident to Denise Hausauer, a vice principal" (Zirkel 412). In a democratic world based on equality, such as what is supposed to exist in the United States, it would be expected that Derek would be provided with protection and the students involved would suffer some sort of disciplinary measure. Instead, the administrator, after arriving two hours after being informed, laughed, reported the incident to the principal and the matter was dropped."
Abstract This paper explains that the Punic Wars were between Punic and Rome, starting in 264 B.C.E. and ending in 146 B.C.E., and were for control of the central Mediterranean Sea, which eventually resulted in Roman Empire's massive military forces subduing Carthage. The author points out a specific psychological poster made by the Romans, during the Punic Wars, to influence the Roman citizens as to the importance of the war and to imply that their participation in it would give them a sense of pride. The paper contends that this poster works because it neither belittles the enemy nor targets the wrong audience; rather, it correctly identifies its objective and glorifies its own resources instead of wrongly focusing on its enemy's attributes. The paper includes examples of Nazi and Japanese war propaganda.
Table of Contents
Punic Wars
War and Propaganda
The Selected Poster and Its Effectiveness
From the Paper "The use of this poster was all about manipulation of emotions. During the war, people are often confused as to how they should react to the situation. Sometimes the media with its various tactics steps in the picture to make people's decisions for them and to help them think in a certain manner. Their emotions are manipulated and use to politicians' advantage. We can better understand this by the help of another example. During the Nazi period, the German government wanted to win the support of nation on the issue of driving Jews out of the country and killing them. The government tried to play with the emotions of people by issuing a leaflet "The Girl You Left Behind"."
This paper reviews Grant McCracken's "Culture and Consumption II: Markets, Meaning and Management", especially his analysis of consumerism and meaning.
Abstract This paper explains the key point that Grant McCracken makes in his book "Culture and Consumption" is that consumerism is a way of creating meaning. The author praises McCracken for pointing out the important role that consumerism can play in creating meaning, to the point of even helping people to define who they are. The paper concludes that this book is very unusual because (1) it has an unusual layout and "architecture", which renders it more accessible, (2) it tackles head-on the ubiquitous intellectual snobbery that belittles consumerism and consumers and (3) it opens up new ways to look at history and contemporary culture, which enables the reader to see meanings that were otherwise invisible. The paper includes some long quotations.
From the Paper "Later, taking an entirely different but certainly related tack, McCracken comments on the concept of meaning-creation within the context of advertising - or more specifically, celebrity endorsement. He notes that there are two accepted, related and oft-used explanatory models for the success of celebrity endorsement in promoting products. One is that of source-credibility, and the other is that of source-attractiveness. As an example, we would believe Tiger Woods if he endorsed a certain brand of golf clubs, as we believe he knows what he is talking about - he has source-credibility."
Abstract This paper analyzes Toni Morrison's novel "The Bluest Eye". The writer explains how this book doesn't belittle the characteristics of its individuals, nor does it place judgment on their actions; rather, the book emphasizes the influence of past suffering and circumstances - exploring how things came to be instead of why they came to be. The writer suggests that "The Bluest Eye" is a quintessential demonstration of the inflexibility of the world. The writer further discusses how Morrison keeps herself from blaming the plight of characters like Cholly and Pecola on any one person or action. The writer concludes that the characters' sufferings construct themselves from a mesh of negative events that were woven together by circumstances; circumstances that were created from Morrison's world - a world that seems more inclined to create misery than it does to create joy.
From the Paper "The universe of The Bluest Eye is the bigot; it is the spawn of prejudice, the breeder of hate and racism; it shrivels the seeds of flowers just as easily as it shrivels a human baby. Morrison constructs a world hostile to human life, one that sets up humanity to suffer by endorsement of the cruel and perversion of the beautiful.
Pauline's dream is beautiful. She dreams of a male protector, an ethereal and heavenly thing that will wash away her worries and lift her up into happiness. He is a "Presence, an all-embracing tenderness with strength and a promise of rest....She had only to lay her head on his chest and he would lead her away...forever" (113). This dream seems fulfilled when Cholly happens upon her on the side of the road one day, but this chance encounter is a cruel ploy of circumstance."
This paper explores the concept of "Negro Art" from the Harlem Renaissance period by analyzing the philosophies of two of that movement's central leaders.
Abstract This paper discusses the philosophies of three leading figures of the Harlem Renaissance--Langston Hughes, George Schuyler and W.E.B. DuBois. The paper describes Langston Hughes' "The Negro and the Racial Mountain" in which he attempts to prove that the desire to not be associated with a specific ethnic class is tantamount to racial self-hatred. The author then explains that George Schuyler in his "The Negro Art Hokum" argues that African-American artists are not some sort of unified bloc and that the imposition of subject matter and style is belittling and racist. Next, the author of the paper applies the conclusions of Hughes and Schuyler to two paintings by Beauford Delaney, a prominent painter of the Harlem Renaissance. The paper concludes that the fairest and most logical approach to the study of "Negro Art" lies somewhere between Langston Hughes and George Schuyler.
From the Paper "Another of Delaney's works that highlights the necessity of forming a compromise between Hughes' and Schuyler's contrasting theories on art is his famous pastel drawing of James Baldwin, the American writer and novelist. Although the two were close friends, Delaney does not attempt to transmit, through his strokes, a sense of his love of and appreciation for Baldwin. Had he wanted to do that, he surely would have created a different portrait than the eerie, anxiety-riddled, and yellow-hued portrait that he actually made."
This paper analyzes why the women in susan Glaspell's play "Trifles" hide the evidence that would incriminate Mrs. Wright in the murder of her husband..
Abstract The paper explains that the women in "Trifles" hide the evidence of Mr. Wright's murder as a way to show solidarity and understanding to Mrs. Wright, as well as to get even with the men who are always belittling and criticizing them. The paper relates that the men are none the wiser, while the women stand together in support of their fallen sister.
From the Paper "It is not surprising the women decide to hide the evidence from the men in this story. It would have been far more surprising if they had handed it over to the men, especially after the way they talked down to them and belittled them. The women are much smarter and more attuned to the residents of the house, and they understand why Mrs. Wright killed her husband - in effect, to quote from the popular musical "Chicago," "He Had it Coming." Thus, the women hid the evidence because of solidarity, understanding, and most of all, because of how men treat women - it was their attempt at getting even for all the "trifles" heaped on them throughout life."
Abstract This paper presents a definition for "rednecks" or "hillbillies," and proposes a qualitative case study to explore the way people feel about rednecks on television. The author hypothesizes that uncertainty reduction method is a plausible tool for reducing or eliminating stereotypes of rednecks and other social groups commonly targeted for comedy. The results of this study will prove helpful to sociologists interested in understanding how social identity is formed and why people hold onto negative stereotypes in modern society.
Outline
Introduction
Problem Statement
Background to the Problem
Research Questions
Literature Review
Stereotypes Defined
Effects of Stereotypes/Why Popular
Stereotypes in Television
Methods
Population
Data Collection & Analysis
Instrument
Results
Limitations
Timeline
Conclusions/Discussion
APPENDIX I
From the Paper "Despite knowledge that stereotypes in the media leave negative and lasting imprints on the minds of viewers, there is much evidence suggesting blatant misuse of stereotyping in the media. While the media is no longer allowed to support comments or television programs supportive of bigotry or prejudice, there seems to be a consensus that stereotyping of the population labeled "rednecks" is acceptable even if it is derogatory in nature (Booker, 2002). This paper will attempt to discern why stereotyping of this sub-population remains commonplace and acceptable in the media. The objective of the researcher is to find out if any new paradigms may be provided to eliminate the use of redneck stereotyping in the media."
Tags: sociological, ethnocentrism, slang, slur, identity, anxiety, belittle, psychological, communication
Abstract This paper examines racism in sports as a serious global issue today. The writer discusses some incidents of racism in sports worldwide and then focuses on the widespread use of Native-American mascots and names for elementary school all the way up to the professional level. The writer presents several arguments for and against using names and mascots derived from the Native-American people. The paper concludes that sports should always be free from such controversies and the best way to do this is to avoid the use of names and mascots that hurt the feelings of other people and belittle their culture.
Outline:
History of Racism in Sports
Sports Team Names and Mascots Derived from Indigenous People
Arguments Supporting the Use of Native American Mascots and Names
Arguments Against the Use of Native American Mascots and Names
From the Paper "There have been a number of racists events in sports like football, baseball, basketball, cricket and many other games which defame not only the players involved in the game but the game itself. This is the reason why the sporting bodies have adopted strict laws to eradicate racism from their sports. In the year 1995 Essendon Football club player Michael Long filed a complained with the Australian Football League against Damian Monkhorst from Collingwood Football club which was widely investigated throughout that year. The Herald Sun revealed some controversial incidents that came to light when it conducted a special investigation into racism in junior Aussie Rules. There have been many other racists events targeting black individuals. However, the most worrying racists events are those targeted at a particular ethnic race or group of people. Use of Native American mascots and names of ethnic groups has been in practice for a long time and this tradition continues to be used in naming school sports teams in United States of America and Canada. This practice of "playing Indian" has been found to be in practice since 1700s."
Tags: Aztec Sioux, Major League Baseball, religious symbol caricature, National Football League, heroism university
This paper argues that a violation of nature is impossible, but that miracle usually encompasses the highly improbable, and in this sense must be admitted.
Abstract This paper examines the possibility of miracles from a purely philosophical point of view. It centers on the consideration given to the theme by David Hume. Though an avowed atheist, and dismissive of the Christian faith, Hume provides a robust, penetrating and unbiased examination. The writer discusses that the startling outcome is that Hume does allow the possibility of miracles, even though other Enlightenment philosophers were busy belittling the miracles of Christianity as superstition. The paper shows how empirical skepticism allows for miracles. It then goes on to show that even deterministic science must come to conclusion that miracles are possible, even though scientists themselves are steadfast in their denial of it.
From the Paper "Hume was the first to tackle the question squarely, in the chapter titled "Of Miracles" in the 1948 publication An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. From purely metaphysical considerations the conclusion is that miracles are indeed possible. We must remember that the core of Hume's philosophy is empirical skepticism. The materialists, weaned on the mechanics of Newton, were pronouncing outright miracles impossible. The laws of motion and gravity were successfully explaining the heavenly bodies, and hardly anyone suspected that they were not universal in scope. Newtonian mechanics has no place for miracles. This was almost a proof of the invalidity of miracles. But the proud determinism that they espoused had no philosophical foundation to it. Descartes, and the Cartesians, tried desperately for a metaphysics of materialism, but to know avail. Finally Hume overthrew all the strained Cartesian designs, and advanced a devastating critique of reason, as applied to empirical sense data, to deliver objective knowledge. It turned Enlightenment thinking on its head. Knowledge is not possible, and yet miracles are."
