Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the book "The Crone: Woman of Age, Wisdom, and Power" by Barbara G. Walker, a celebration of women and how women are learning more about each other and the male-dominated world they live in, every day. Specifically, it relates some of the book's theories to today's issues, including the significance and quality that leads one to broadening the understanding of woman's history. It also contains an analysis of how it correlates and contrasts to the theories presented in another book entitled: "The Chalice and the Blade" by Riane Eisler.
From the Paper "After reading Walker's treatise on woman as Goddess and woman as all-loving, one has to wonder what has happened to society today to change things so drastically. Women are no longer revered as all knowing and all loving. In fact, the author believes some of this resulting loss of love for women is a result of men, and their inhumanity to women. "Few men have tried to understand the real causes of man's inhumanity to women" (Walker 133), she writes, and one only has to look at the Islamic religion, and their total degradation of women, to understand what she means in today's terms. Women have no standing in Muslim countries, and are thought of mostly as beasts of burden and breeding machines. In the recent terrorism video of the infamous "wedding reception," shown on network news, the wedding reception consisted entirely of Muslim men, the bride was not even present at her own reception! This shows just how far women have fallen in many societies, and how far they need to go to gain true equality in the world."
Abstract The author addresses the arguments within the historical sciences, which include environmental archaeology, over the type of data, qualitative or quantitative, that is most appropriate for advancing knowledge in the field. In light of these controversies, the author suggests an approach that includes a revision of traditional qualitative approaches through the application of Eisler's cultural theories.
From the Paper "Riane Eisler's The Chalice and the Blade, published in 1988, presents a new theory of human cultural evolution, as well as a new vision of reconstructed history. Eisler draws from archaeological discoveries made in the latter half of the 20th century, as well as from mythology and contemporary feminist re-interpretations of earlier archaeological discoveries and mythology. She develops an idea of cultural evolution based on the "chaos theory", which provides the rubric for her understanding of systems change. She calls her idea "Cultural Transformation Theory". It is based in basic biological principles and presents ideas about the ways in which humans have interacted with their environment over time. Her study is an interesting one for environmental archaeology as a science because it challenges the prevailing cultural theories in the field."
Abstract This paper examines the history of a male-dominated society. It reviews Riane Eisler's classic, "The Chalice and the Blade". The paper explains that, in matriarchy, fighting was to defend self and home, whereas in patriarchy, fighting was to take territory and possessions, to increase that which was owned, and to prove dominance. It is this dominance that is at the heart of the changes described in Eisler's book.
From the Paper "Even after much of the overt worship of goddesses had been changed and surpressed, the forms remain in the Shekhina of Hebrew tradition and of course, the Catholic Virgin Mary. The Mother remains, in disguise. For about 5000 years, society has been run on increasingly male-dominated and patriarchal lines with, it seems increasingly destructive results. When societies honored the earth as the supplier of all that was needed, it would have been impossible"even if the technology had been present"for people to mindlessly destroy the very foundations of all life."
Abstract This paper explains that Judy Chicago applies vulvar representations to her works with the same frequency that penile representations were applied to male statuary from time immemorial; however, Chicago creates female genitalia not to portray realism, as the male genitalia on Greek, Roman, Renaissance or any other heroic statuary, but rather to make a feminist statement. The author describes "The Dinner Party" installation as a triangular banquet table, with each side 48 feet long, sitting on a ceramic floor inscribed with the names of 999 notable women of history, both ancient and modern and at each of the 39 places is a plate, with some version of female genitalia on it and a porcelain chalice. The paper relates that "The Dinner Party" belongs to the genre of conceptual art; Chicago, along with Duchamp and Christo is deemed to be a valuable modern minimalist.
Table of Contents
The Meaning of "The Dinner Party"
"The Dinner Party": Global Derivation
"The Dinner Party": Place in Modern Art
Chicago History
Growing into Her Own
The Art Works (Illustrations)
From the Paper "The vulvar ornamentation of "The Dinner Party" places Judy Chicago firmly in a long line of sculptors who represented this essential aspect of female-ness across cultures. Sheila-na-gigs "closely resembled the yonic statues of Kali which still appear at the doorways of Hindu temples, where visitors lick a finger and touch the yoni 'for luck.' Some of the older figures have deep holes worn in their yonis from much touching." This also imitates the death goddess Kalika "evidently remembered in Ireland as the Caillech or 'Old Woman,' who was also the Creatress and gave birth to all the races of men." Whether or not Chicago was conversant with the totality of this world-order of female genitalia and its meaning and importance, she conveyed it just as firmly as had the abundant sheila-na-gigs of Ireland."
Abstract The Holy Grail has been a source of intrigue and fascination since it first emerged in 12th century literature. This paper examines how contemporarily the Holy Grail is a symbol of enlightenment, an emblem to bring people of all nations and religions together in a common bond of liberty, fraternity and equality. It attempts to prove that the Holy Grail, enigmatic in nature, is a cross-cultural symbol that belongs to all of the races of humankind.
From the Paper "The Grail is represented variously in literature. One version presents an analogy of a battle between good and evil. The story tells how Lucifer led one third of the heavenly host in a revolt against God. However, he was defeated. As Lucifer was cast down out of heaven, a large emerald fell from his crown. This emerald is said to have been the source of his power. It is interesting to note that the Grail has been depicted as a stone in the early Arthurian legends. It is this stone, fallen to earth, which has been suggested is the Grail. The notion of a battle between good and evil resonates strongly with consumers of the Grail myth. In daily life, choices are presented which can be construed as 'good' or 'bad,' and are therefore small incarnations of battles between good and evil. The Holy Grail could perhaps be deemed as deliverance from evil in this particular Grail myth."
Tags: arthur, chalice, king, lancelot, magdalene, mary, sangreal, jesus
