Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the film, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" directed by Joel Zwick. Specifically, it discusses the differences between Greek and American culture that can lead to unhappiness and lack of self-esteem. The paper examines how the main character grows and manages to find love and happiness despite her Greek family.

From the Paper
"Another cultural difference in the film is the family. The Greek family is very large, loud, meddling, and sometimes obnoxious. They insist that their way is the only way, and do not understand Ian's vegetarianism any more than they understand tofu and organic beef. They are lusty, earthy, and opinionated, a far cry from Ian's family who does not fit in the Greek family's society any more than the Greeks fit in theirs. This is funny, but it is sad too, because both families eventually put up with each other, but do not truly respect each other, and that says something about Greek and American culture, and how accepting it is, ultimately, of different cultures and beliefs. This is shown subtly in the church, where Ian's side of the church has sparse attendance from a small family, while Toula's side is filled with boisterous relatives from everywhere."

Tags:toula, portokalos

Abstract
This paper analyzes this romantic comedy which centers on a young Greek-American woman's trials and tribulations when she falls in love with a non-Greek and struggles to get her family to accept her fiance while she herself comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity. The paper examines the main characters and how they develop throughout the movie.

From the Paper
"The central female character, Toula Portakalos falls in love with Ian, and finds herself caught between her love for him, and pleasing her father, Gus who believes Toula should "marry a Greek boy, make Greek babies, feed everyone" (Harvey, 2002). Both male characters are pivotal to the development of the story and in the end, Toula's growth and acceptance of her cultural heritage (and family's overbearing traits). She is able to take what she has been taught by her father, and re-learns from an "outside" point of view of Ian what it means to be a Greek-American."

Tags:marriage, culture, fiance

Abstract
A very personal and positive review of the movie by the writer who claims to have seen it more than once. It discusses the plot and how it is more than a simple ethnic wedding, but teaches one to laugh at one's own mistakes and faults. The movie pushes ethnic tolerance in a funny and charming way and this paper examines how this is done.

From the Paper
"My favorite thing about My Big Fat Greek Wedding was its lack of pretense. There could have been a lot more depth to this movie and its underlying storylines of cultural separatism, the pressure to conform, the will to improve one's lot in life, and final acceptance of self. However, in the end, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is exactly what it should be: a funny story about a Greek American girl, from a traditional Greek family, getting married."

Tags:marriage, ethnic, laugh, tolerance, acceptance, american, toula, nicko

Abstract
In this article, the writer argues that fat people face discrimination and this is a greater threat than related health dangers. The writer maintains that the dangers of obesity from a health point of view are over-rated and looks at the various reasons for this. Moreover, it is argued that the greatest threat to the mental and physical health of fat people is not their fat, but rather fat oppression: the discrimination that fat people face each day.

From the Paper
"The media constantly tells us that thin people are healthy and beautiful, and that fat people are unhealthy and ugly. However, it is argued that the health dangers of obesity are hugely over-rated, for a variety of reasons. These include the interests of the multi-million dollar diet industry, as well as the fact that coercing women into worrying constantly about their weight is an effective part of the anti-feminist backlash, ensuring that women waste their energy on frivolous matters."

Tags:fat, prejudice, health

Abstract
This research paper attempts to show that the Indian Hindu wedding feast has changed its form and content, but its meanings in terms of family politics, social and religious norms have not changed. The dissertation includes evidence that can prove that, despite globalization, modernization, and import of western ideas and cultures, the function of the weeding feast has not changed despite the changes in the form and content. In other words, while the cuisine elements due to additional foods and spices being introduced have changed, the tradition of the consumption of food and the meanings behind this consumption have continued to remain the same over time.


Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Research Questions
Significance of the Research
Methodology
Literature Review
The Caste System In India
The Hindu Marriage Ceremony
The Woman in the Society and Family Hierarchy in India
Food, Eating, and the Wedding Feast in India
Review of the Literature Reviewed In this Study

From the Paper
"The work of Bloch, Rao and Desai relates that the marriage of a daughter in India in the costliest event in the life of this family which many times results in the parents of the daughter getting into great debt with interest rates "of over 200 percent." The expenditure on food for a wedding is stated to be "more than six times a family's annual income" and many times forces the family into "destitution and bonded labor, especially when there are several daughters to be married." Gender discrimination that occurs in India has been attributed to this specific economic burden."

Tags:parable, gender discrimination, gold wedding jewelry, tea, ritual of sharing

Abstract
The paper explores how color contributes to the symbolism in the play "Blood Wedding". The paper goes through the colors blue, red (Blood), white and orange, and gives examples as to how each color is used within the play and what the colors mean in their context.

From the Paper
"Frederica Garcia Lorca's play "Blood Wedding" is filled with symbolism primarily concerned with color (including blood red, white, orange and blue). Many of the symbols are explored and come to fruition with use of stagecraft, costume, properties and vivid writing; these and the play as a whole make Federico Garcia Lorca one of Spain's most famed and celebrated writers, and Blood Wedding itself a resounding piece of literature. Born in Grenada, Spain in 1898, Frederico Garcia Lorca grew up amidst a melting-pot of cultures. His father was a farmer and his mother, a schoolteacher. They encouraged him to develop and explore himself..."

Tags:lorca, blood wedding, symbolism

Abstract
This paper is an analysis of the 1997 romantic comedy film "My Best Friend's Wedding." It includes a character analysis and a review of the plot.

From the Paper
"The plot summary in P J Hogan's romantic comedy film, "My Best Friend's Wedding" revolved around two friends Michael O'Neal played by Dermot Mulroney and Julianne Jules Potter played by Julia Roberts Zucker. They made a pact to marry each other if they were not engaged by the time they reach the age of twenty-eight. However Jules's stylistic performance as the secret villain unfolded when Michael announced his engagement to another woman. Kimmy played ..."

Tags:Film, Kimmy, Jules, Michael, Geroge, My Best Friend's Wedding, moral

Abstract
Carson McCullers' classic novel, "The Member of the Wedding', tells the story of a lonely 12 year old girl, Frankie Adams, suffering from typical adolescence crisis. In the course of being disconnected from the world, she reveals her frustration by not being a member of anything. This paper examines how Carson McCullers throughout the novella uses music to signify Frankie's incomplete development. It looks at how the many versions of music in the novella indicate Frankie's special burden of childhood, ultimately revealing her position of not being ready to become a teenager.

From the Paper
"One of the most important examples of how McCullers uses music to signify Frankie's incomplete development is illustrated through the jazz horn in part one of the novella. When Frankie is visiting John Henry, she overhears someone playing blues on a horn. Her first notion about the tune takes her back to the spring, when all kinds of things began to hurt her. It was known as the season that troubled her: "it was like the telling of that long season of trouble" thought Frankie (44). The sadness of the tune reminds her of her disturbed childhood days. She is able to relate to the grieving tune. Then in a sudden moment the horn plays a wild jazz and Frankie is swept away by the off beat rhythm. "

Tags:frankie, adams, symbols, wedding

Abstract
This essay considers how Dorothy West's novel, "The Wedding," portrays the conflicts of race and class during the 1950s, a time that has been hailed as the Harlem Renaissance. By contradicting the revival of African-American identity, West weaves a complex history of generational identities and relations that reveal the collusion of race and class, where wealth and respect are internalized as synonymous with whiteness.

Tags:the, wedding

Abstract
This paper compares Big Lots as an Internet and brick and mortar retailer with Overstock.com. The paper looks at both companies' use of closeout items and examines the strategy of Big Lots. The paper discusses how Internet sales of Big Lots is limited to distributors, while Overstock.com sells to retail customers over the Internet.

From the Paper
"The retail industry typically does not deal in perishable inventory. If something does not sell today, it can be reduced in price and sold tomorrow. If it still does not sell, it can be reduced more or returned to the manufacturer. Savvy price-conscious consumers who are willing to wait for goods that perhaps are slightly out of fashion or which have been superseded by technological innovations can often find good deals by looking for retailers who specialize in these overstocked items."

Tags:big lots, overstock.com, internet retailing, e-commerce, e-business, closeout