Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the film, "My BigFatGreekWedding" 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."
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."
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."
Abstract This paper discusses the similarities between certain wedding and funerary rituals of Athens by analyzing the iconography of ancient Greek pottery and relating these ideas to those found in the Homeric "Hymn to Demeter". The paper includes direct quotes from the hymn, as well as images of ancient vases that correspond with the text.
From the Paper "Before the Common Era, citizens of Ancient Greece created an identity for themselves based on their polytheistic religion. The Greeks' entire existence revolved around paying worship to the multiple gods and goddesses whom they trusted to take care of them in this world and the next. Political, economical, agricultural, and social aspects of Greek communities all received strong influence from religious conceptions. Without widely spread literacy, most knowledge passed from person to person through oral communication. Myths, stories explaining relations of gods with humans, nature, and each other, frequently served as an easy way to spread ideas amongst citizens of all ages. Records of ancient festivals and customs suggest that "Greek ritual is borne out and reinforced by what we find in a myth." Because so many artifacts and literary sources have been recovered in Athens, the city plays an important role in helping us analyze the extent to which mythological tales affected everyday life in the Classical period."
Abstract This paper explains that Philippine wedding ceremonies incorporate some Western traditions but the Filipinos feel strongly about their heritage and therefore incorporate much of their traditions into their wedding ceremonies and receptions. It expands on the focus of the Philippine wedding ceremony, which is too unite two souls as one using traditional, sacred acts. It also explores the purpose of the reception which is to use traditional culture and meld it into joyous celebratory behavior, such as dancing, to commemorate the joined life of the newlyweds.
From the Paper "Asian countries are known for their exceptionally beautiful, traditional, and culturally significant wedding celebrations. In the modern world many of the traditional customs of "Philippine Weddings" and receptions still hold significant weight, though some of these traditions have been adjusted over time. Traditionally, a Philippine groom would signal his engagement to his beloved by throwing a spear at her door-step, indicating to others that she was spoken for. Today, the typical wedding icon of the engagement ring has replaced this custom. When the couple has decided to marry, it is tradition for the groom and his parents to visit the bride's family and ask permission for the marriage, known as pamanhikan ("Weddings At Work"). At this time, wedding plans are drawn up, and the suitor often offers his services to the bride's family to gain their approval, known as paninilbihan ("Weddings At Work")."
A research paper that illustrates how the caste system, religious beliefs and culture of India perpetuates lavish consumption of the Indian wedding feast.
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."
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.
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. "
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 This paper focuses on the rise of big business in the U.S. and examines what allows this to happen. It concentrates on demand related factors as well as the supply side factors.
From the Paper "In a laisse-faire economy it is strictly hands off for the government. It is an economy in which, there is free trade with no government intervention. In this economy firms share knowledge thusly creating a highly competitive market where no firm has "economic power". At least this is the thinking behind Adam Smith's classical economic theory which was the accepted theory in the U.S. This seems self explanatory for a people with a history of tyrannous rule and people whose main reasons for coming to America were for economic freedom. It is what these people fought for against England during the Revolutionary War. "
Abstract This paper discusses the understanding of different cultures through a case study of the Greek-American community. It discusses history of the Greeks in America, conflicts between the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church, as well as Greek stereotypes. The paper was written for a class on cultures and uses terms, such as pluralism, ethnocentrism, and co-cultures. It explores facets of Greek-American culture, including gender roles, Greek identities, and the history of the Greek-American experience.
From the Paper "Despite these problems, pluralism is the accepted practice in the United States. People naturally form groups with other people who are similar to them. Rich people play golf together often, just like bookworms form book clubs with one another. In fact this form of group making is taught throughout school. The first thing we do is place a student in his or her grade level. They are encouraged to spend time with their peers, only. If they stray from their group it is not considered normal."
Abstract This paper analyzes Chester Finn's article "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Test?", which concerns national education testing. It explores Finn's view that national educational testing is the solution to the problems confronting education today.
From the Paper "Chester E Finn Jr has written an article that supports establishing national testing standards for schools. This is not a balanced article that considers the advantages and disadvantages of the issue and ..."
Tags: education, big bad test, finn, national, education, testing
Abstract This paper discusses the role of ancient Greek drama in Greek society. The paper explains the stage styles, how actors performed and the main types of plays performed in ancient Greek theater. The author discusses tragedies, comedies and a special form of theater called "dithyramb," which was sung by a large chorus. The paper goes on to discuss the importance of the elements of prose, lyrics and dancing in the ancient Greek drama. The paper then goes on to discuss some of ancient Greece's foremost playwrights, as well as theories about the origins of drama.
From the Paper "The word 'Drama' as such has originated from the Greek words that mean 'to do', or 'to act'. When a story is acted out, it becomes a 'play', and this was the medium used by the ancient Greeks to act out their stories, which were either humorous and were about funny situations in their everyday lives, or they would be great tragedies, which would act out some important episode or period of their lives at the time. The speech and actions of the play would therefore, recreate human lives and its flow. It can be stated that ancient Greece was in fact the real birthplace of the future 'drama' of the Western world. In Greece, these plays or dramas were presented on stage twice a year, in honor of the God Dionysius, and there would be choruses made up of men who would be dressed up in goatskins, and who were meant to represent 'satyrs' or those mythical creatures who were partly goat, and partly man."
Abstract This paper reviews Daniel Wallace's novel "Big Fish: A novel of Mythic Proportions" and highlights the elements of fantasy that are found in the work. The role of the fantastic is analyzed and it's impact is contrasted with the concrete and realistic outlooks of other characters in the novel. In particular, the paper focuses on the protagonist William and the depiction of his expedition to unravel the truth. The reviewer concludes that Wallace proves that words have the power to transform reality into a group of ideas that leave an impression that does not disappear.
From the Paper "William's desire to understand his father through a staunch reality is never met in the novel, and there is a reason for this. Edward, even in his last days is trying to compel William to see the world through the eyes of fantasy, to make everything more meaningful. William wishes that Edward would speak the truth, rather than what he, as a boy and as an adult believes are his father's attempts to spin his life into fantasy to impress him, despite his long absence form his son's life. William gives the impression that he believes his father's stories are a fabrication that he has concocted, during long hours in lonely hotel rooms, while he traveled the south as a salesman. He seems not to believe, at first in any truth in the fantasy. "
Tags: Daniel, Wallace, Big, Fish, a, Novel, of, Mythic, Proportions
Abstract This paper researches the correlation between the Ancient Greek past, the Orthodox Church and Greek culture. It focuses on the areas of the evolution of the Greek Orthodox Church and its practices, art, theatre, music and dance. This paper discusses how each of these areas has roots in Ancient Greece, and the research attempts to demonstrate how these foundations were associated with one another throughout Greek culture.
From the Paper " Theatrical performances began with the use of music by choirs that were praising the gods and pleading for a bountiful harvest. This practice among the ancients also involved the earliest forms of folk dance. These three art forms were later also incorporated into the Orthodox religion through festivals and the practice of a liturgy that remains of cultural significance today.Greek culture has evolved from ancient times with many of the original traditions still being honored today. Elements of ancient Greek culture exist in modern society because the Greeks provided a foundation of many of the world's forms of art. Theatre, for example, began in Greece as a musical choir form of devotion to the gods to ensure a good harvest. Greek art was considered an intricate craftsmanship that demonstrated the precision and advanced technique of an innovative culture."
