Abstract This paper explores the character of Esther Greenwood in Sylvia Plath's "Bell Jar". The paper focuses on Esther as a woman and discusses gender roles, their causes and their repercussions. The paper argues that Sylvia Plath speaks out in "Bell Jar"; publicizing the effects of society's maddening restrictions placed on women.
From the Paper "Through her narrative, Esther was continually at battle with the social definitions of women. However, she ultimately does not want to transgress the boundaries by being overtly sexual like Doreen nor does she desire to be the overly masculinized, independent career woman Jay Cee is."
Abstract This papers discuses the methods and procedure used by anthropologists in the discovery of the Uluburun Shipwreck discovery.
Specifically, the paper presents a description of the site, artifacts found and methods used at Uluburun. The paper concludes that, by studying the contents, origins and methods of Mediterranean trading vessels, the scientific community is able to piece together a cohesive picture of Mediterranean cultures circa 1300 B.C.E.
From the Paper "Many other artifacts were found at the site. These were comprised of personal items, weapons, and mercantile items. Weights for scales were found, which make sense being present on a trading vessel. A ram's horn trumpet was found. This is similar to the modern shofar in the Jewish tradition. Many gold ambulates were found; as well as pectorals, and other jewelry. Much of the gold was in jewelry form, but some was in the scrap form, as a byproduct of jewelry making or simply for later use. Foodstuffs were also found."
Tags: dendochronology, trading vessel, ingots, canaaniteceramicjars, late bronze age
Abstract This paper will explore the development of the representation of the human figure on classical Greek ceramics. Given the sheer range and scope of the production in question, discussion will be focused on the tradition of the representation of human figures upon Athenian ceramics in particular. As will be seen, this limitation is not entirely arbitrary. While Greek pottery was dominated by Corinthian production for much of its early history, as Athens grew in commercial and political importance it began to dominate the market for ceramics in the Greek world. From about the sixth century BC onwards, it will be argued, the representation of the human figure upon Athenian pottery grew increasingly sophisticated in both technique and theme. As will be seen, gradually the rigid poses and mythological themes yielded to figures and scenes more reflective of the everyday life of the population. This increasing sophistication, to some extent, reflects the prosperity of the Athenian industry and its capacity to bring in artists from outside Athens whose talents were to transform Greek ceramics.
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the creation of ceramics is a form of art that some describe as an art and some a craft, though how this is applied may depend on the nature of the work under discussion and the degree of artistry with which it has been designed. The writer discusses Brenda McMahon, a noted ceramic artist who works at her studio in Greenwich, New York. The writer points out that she is also noted as a teacher who guides others in how to express themselves through ceramics. The writer concludes that the works produced by McMahon are inventive and varied, with designs that are often created by the Saggar process itself rather than through the conscious action of the artist, though this does not make them any less artful. This paper includes color photographs of some of Brenda McMahon's works.
From the Paper " The study of art in different media is important to understanding the shaping of a specific craft like ceramics. For one thing, an understanding of a broad range of types and media of artistic expression helps develop an aesthetic sense that understands design and the relationship of one element in a design to others. It becomes possible then not only to see the parts and how they fit into the whole, it is also possible to see how the whole fits into broader traditions both historic and aesthetic. The individual can begin to see relationships extending outside the work of art itself, and these relationships also help to explain the work of art and link it to other expressions in other media."
Abstract This paper relates that Islamic ceramics and pottery have been traced to the 8th century, developing in key Middle Eastern civilization centers such as Iraq, Persia and Syria. The paper specifically looks at how the innovations of that period mark not only the development of the craft but give insights to how cultural and scientific development impact society together.
Outline:
Introduction
Islamic Ceramics and Pottery Traditions
Innovations
Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the key innovations in Islamic ceramics and pottery is in their glazing methods which allowed for greater utility for incorporation in architecture as well as amalgamation of other raw materials. This was also in part a reaction to the difficulties and variances in kilning requirements due to the more arid climate in Islamic centers of civilization. Innovations in glazing included methods which utilized tin to create opaque finishes and painting with metallic luster. This trend also reached Europe through Spain via the Moors. Islamic ceramists and potters are also credited for the development of stone-paste ceramics which were made from non-refactory fired clay which produced finer texture in earthenware that were in popular use (Fehervari, 2000). "
Abstract A paper that compares and contrasts the self-absorption of the main characters from two books "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath and "Rabbit Run" by John Updike.
Abstract This paper explains that Sylvia Plath in her novel "The Bell Jar" was not just telling a story; she was chronicling the struggles faced by the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The author points out that the feminist movement faced several obstacles that are displayed in this book as problems also faced by Esther; her mother, men and other women represent the stereotypes, elements of disrespect and double standards faced by the feminist movement in the 1950s in which this novel is set. The paper relates that one of the problems faced by Esther is her belief that an independent career woman should not really need a man in her life to feel complete and even feels that she does not want to get married; however, other women press her into believing that a girl needs a man to be a real woman and start treating her differently after Buddy asks her to his school dance.
From the Paper "Esther's problems with other women do not stop with her classmates though. She also receives pressure to fit a stereotype by Mrs. Willard, Buddy Willard's mother. This is a woman who also encourages the idea that women belong to men and should live to serve them. When she tells both Esther and Buddy that, "What a man is is an arrow into the future and what a woman is is the place the arrow shoots off from."(72), she is not only giving Buddy this idea of what a woman should be but also persuading Esther just where a woman's place is. Marilyn Boyer supports this by arguing that women are held back by what society deems to be their functions, cooking, cleaning, and raising kids. Esther does not want this kind of life, one in which her only purpose is to make a husband happy."
Abstract "The Bell Jar" can be seen as a portrait of a uniquely feminist crisis of the self, of the adolescent self in a normal but fragile and frustrating juncture of development, or of modern psychiatry's inability to deal with such a crisis, except in very ineffectual ways. Esther feels conflict as a woman frustrated to choose between masculine professional ideals and maternity, although upon closer analysis her identity conflict becomes even more multi-faceted and fraught, particularly in light of her family and social dynamics. The pressures of modern life, combined with the lack of understanding of the therapeutic community at the time serve to compound rather than alleviate her stress.
From the Paper "Before her death by her own hand, the poet Sylvia Plath made a 'name' for herself in the contemporary poetic community through such searing poems as "Daddy," an attack upon her stern, beloved German father, and her authorship of such classical poetic volumes as Ariel. (Plath, 1992) However, even before Sylvia Plath garnered such great fame as an American poet, she was also well known as a famous Smith College intern for the now-defunct Mademoiselle magazine. After gaining a coveted job at the popular women's periodical, she attempted to commit suicide after her internship had ended and before the beginning of her senior year of college, resulting in a nationally famous 'manhunt' that ended at the young woman's home. The book The Bell Jar was written under a pseudonym, and as a novel. However, it chronicles many of the external internal conflicts of femininity, adolescent identity, and personality that remain relevant today, as well as the sensational story of Plath's suicide and recovery. The also provides a potent indictment of the ineffectuality of much psychological treatment during the 1960's for both men and women."
Abstract This paper looks at male depiction in Sylvia Plath's, "The Bell Jar." It argues that Plath's work is a classic instance of an angry and troubled woman using literature as a means of "getting back" at the men in her life - most notably her husband and her father - who have let her down. The paper specifically discusses how Plath portrays men as oppressors.
From the Paper "To close, the preceding several pages have captured how Sylvia Plath's novel, The Bell Jar, is an unforgettable look at how the confessional genre of novel-writing can be used both as a form of therapy and as an excuse for depicting other groups in society in a fashion that may not really be consistent with the actual nature of things. But more even than all that, Sylvia Plath's depiction of men in her 1963 book is also a great example of how a writer can reveal a great deal about him or herself even as he or she pretends to write about somebody else."
Abstract A central theme in Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" is that of mother and daughter relationships, both biological and surrogate. This paper examines the relationship between Esther Greenwood and Mrs. Greenwood in the novel and briefly considers the surrogate mothers to whom Esther attaches herself.
From the Paper "The Bell Jar opens during a "queer, sultry summer" (Plath 1) with the events of the novel moving temporally forward until the fall. The female narrator and principle character of the novel, Esther Greenwood, begins her tale in New York, having won a scholarship to college and a fashion magazine contest that led to an internship at the same magazine as hosted the contest. Esther says, "I was supposed to be having the time of my life" (2), but a series of inner struggles lead Esther quickly down an initially dark road of depression, attempted suicide, institutionalization, and eventual recovery. Larson notes that "from the first pages Esther is concerned with the increasingly unbearable tension between external expectation and internal perception" (6). One significant source of this external expectation comes from Mrs. Greenwood. "
Abstract This paper will discuss a piece of Greek ceramic pottery from the Art Institute of Chicago. By analyzing its origins, the style, materials, patron, function and the social context it had within the time period, we can see the history unfold about the Greek vase in its entirety. In revealing the nature of the object to be studied, there can be a well-rounded observation of the artifact and will tell us much about the life of the Greeks from this period.
Abstract A history of the written word, examining writing from its Sumerian origins through the development of the Greek alphabet. The focus is the shift from pictographic characters to a phonetic alphabet. This paper discusses the Old Canaanite, Phoenician, Egyptian, Hebrew, and Aramaic scripts as well.
From the Paper "The calling and constant challenge of the poet has been to express, in writing, the highly dynamic and abstractly imaginal feeling of the human condition. Similarly, individuals have long attempted to preserve facets of life for convenience, future reference, or posterity. Writing, now a virtual necessity, was not used until the advent of civilizations, when life became complex enough that memory could not keep track of all of those things one needed to remember. It is a much younger art than that of the spoken language ? which has existed for tens of thousands of years ? but has come far from the early days of writing to today. The first forms of writing are results of the ancient Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations."
Tags:canaanite, character, egypt, hebrew, linear, phoenicia, phonetic, pictograph, script, written
Abstract This paper discusses Alumina or Aluminum Oxide, the only oxide formed by the metal aluminum, which occurs in nature as the minerals corundum, diaspore, gibbsite and most commonly as bauxite, which is an impure form of gibbsite. The author submits that its industrial and commercial use in the modern times took off after the development of the Bayer process, which made possible the wide-scale, low cost production of the material.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background Information: History of Alumina
Initial Manufacture of Alumina
Manufacture of Aluminum & the Bayer Process
New Natural Forms of Alumina
Properties of Alumina
Mechanical Properties
Thermal Properties
Electrical Properties
Structure of Crystalline Alumina
Alumina (Aluminum Oxide) Structure
Structure of Liquid Alumina
Applications of Alumina
Ceramics As an Insulating Material
Electronics
Mechanical Ceramics Military Uses
Bio Medical
Chemical Ceramics Enameling
Refractory Uses
Chemical Industry
Catalysts, Fillers, and the Glass industry
The Bayer Process
Grinding of Bauxite
Digestion of Bauxite
Settling and washing of Residues
Crystallization of Hydrates
Calcination of Hydrate
Conclusion
From the Paper "Fused alumina (the substance produced after being melted and re-crystallized) is identical in chemical and physical properties with natural corundum. It is a very hard material and its hardness is exceeded only by diamond and a few synthetic substances such as carborundum, and silicon carbide. This property of alumina lends itself for use as an abrasive material. Another useful property of the material is its high melting point, i.e., above 2000?C (3632?F), which makes it useful as a refractory and as linings of special furnaces. The mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties of Alumina (99.7% purity) often used in the ceramic industry are depicted in the following tables:..."
Abstract This paper discusses how Robert Arneson changed the way people looked at ceramics and sculpture. The paper shows how Arneson was different; he did not accept the established rules of different art forms and he never conformed to what others thought about his work. The paper asserts that Arneson's ability to create whimsical and yet touching works gives his work a spirituality and meaning that is far greater than most ceramic pieces can ever hope to accomplish.
From the Paper "Robert Arneson was born in Benicia, California in 1930, and was interested in art from a young age. His father encouraged him to draw, and later he became interested in ceramics. He studied art after high school and received an advanced degree in the arts, as well. One biographer notes, "Arneson became head of the ceramics department at the University of California at Davis in 1962 and became a full professor of art in 1973" ("The Art"). His view of ceramics was different, and he saw ceramics as a way to influence art, rather than just make cups and saucers and such. He had studied the expressionists as part of his art education and he enjoyed bringing new elements into his ceramic sculptures. The Editors continue, "Arneson was part of the dynamic group of irreverent California Pop artists whose work has come to be known as 'Funk Art'" ("The Art"). The artist died of liver cancer in 1992, but his work lives on in many art forms today."
Abstract This paper discusses funerary art of the Amarna period in Egypt: 1372-1350 BC. It looks at how Amarna art differs from the stylized representations found in older art forms. The paper focuses on examining the canopic jar as it appears in the Amarna period and then compares these to earlier art on these objects. The paper includes photographs for visual explanation. It suggests that technology played a major role in the development of art throughout the period.
From the Paper "This level of detail and portrayal of emotion occurs in other changes in the representation of the royal family. During the Amarna period, we begin to see representations of the royal family showing affection to his daughters. In the past this was strictly taboo and the royal family was represented as emotionless (Smith, p. 186). During this period we begin to see the royal family represented in a more humanistic attitude. They begin to be portrayed as humans, rather than above the capability of human emotion. This change in attitude broke traditional conventions and represented a new paradigm that permeated Egyptian art from this point forward."
