Abstract This paper examines the Asian films "Crouching Tiger", "Hidden Dragon" and "Princess Mononok". The paper illustrates that the films subject matter is conveyed to the viewer through what they experience in real life and its social issues, as encountered on screen. The author writes that the films deal with the harmony between human and nature, and portray modern social problems in covert ways so the lesson learned can be applied.
From the Paper In "Princess Mononoke", the conflict between Tatara group and between the animal inhabitants arises. Tatara iron making group, lead by Lady Eboshi, wants to get rid of gods of the forest in order to take more land for their community; Lady Eboshi gathered the oppressed and the weak to develop their community and she believes that her community's welfare is more important than that of animal inhabitants, she justifies the action of taking over the forest where animals called home. On the other hand, the animal inhabitants who have been living in the forest way before Tatara iron group arrived believe that they have a right and obligation to protect their space against outside force, Tatara iron group."
Abstract The paper states that symbolism can be a reason to criticize the film or a reason to recognize it as a masterpiece. The authors demonstrates that the major events of ?Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? are symbolic and believes that this is effective in creating a film with beauty, depth and meaning. The author continues that, because of the extent of the symbolism in the film, the viewers do not have a clear meaning handed to them but instead are challenged to determine their own meaning.
From the Paper "The symbolism as inherent to the film can be a reason to criticize the film or a reason to recognize it as a masterpiece. The film's very nature is symbolic, with the meaning attached not to the events, but to a greater meaning the events represent. The events and the plot of the movie are a surface feature, below this surface the film operates on many levels. This can be a reason to criticize the film, with the audience sometimes being lost to the meaning and confused at what is happening. In some ways, this can make the film seem poorly plotted and the characters poorly defined. However, on another level, it is these same characteristics that make it so powerful. The film is an epic and everything is on a grand, yet unrealistic scale."
Abstract The paper shows that in Chinese author Chen Yuan-tsung's novel "The Dragon's Village", land reform was hardly welcomed with open arms by the Chinese peasantry. Rather than acceptance, the individuals who took to the fields and rice paddies of China to spread the doctrine of communism, found a peasantry largely hostile to the ideology they espoused. The paper analyzes the heroine of the book, Guan Ling-ling and the conflicting emotions she has towards the ideologies of Communism.
From the Paper "This initial image of her early life sets up a clear portrait of the China Guan later hopes to change by going to the countryside. This China is patriarchal, as the women sit, waiting quietly to hear a man speak in the removed language of poetry. This China is hierarchical, as members of the urban class dine comfortably upon fine food. This is the food that the heroine of the book will later dream about as she starves in rural areas. (Chen, 1980, 280) Clearly, change is necessary in such an environment, and the protagonist's rejection of the trappings of such a life at first seems independent and admirable. However, the change created by land reform is no less absurd than the portrait of life in ostensibly communist Shanghai, in all of its near-aristocratic excesses."
Abstract This paper explains that the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" means hiding one's strength from others, a skill mastered by most of the major characters. The author points out that both warriors and bandits were tied to their lifestyles as the very essence of their existence. The paper relates that the movie showed what it was like to live in China in the Qing Dynasty conveying the rich culture and personal conflicts of people in that era.
From the Paper "Jiao Long aspired to learn more than what her master could teach her and hid her skills from her master. Not the way a disciple should act. She reacted to the attack by the bandits by chasing the head bandit Dark Cloud. This is not the way a young noblewoman should act. She later became his lover. Another action unbecoming of a noblewoman. She disdained marriage to another aristocrat and left her groom hanging by taking off. She resisted authority till the end, ending her life by jumping from Wudan Mountain, because it seemed like she was forever searching for more. A conformist, Jiao Long is definitely not."
Abstract This paper discusses the foreign-language film, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," directed by Ang Lee. The paper attempts to provide insight into the impact on Western viewers regarding views on Chinese culture by discussing the themes in this film. It describes some of the positive and negative reviews of the film. The paper concludes that the main concern about the movie "Crouching Tiger," especially by the Chinese viewers and critics, is that it does not portray China's culture and values, but rather the intercultural viewpoint of the director, Lee.
From the Paper "The differences by the students shows, says Zhu (2002) that someone's tacit knowledge of cultural values can persist and be influential in character judgment. The Western culture highly values individualism and the pursuit of happiness, the Chinese instead values collectivism and morality over individualism. It is considered morally inappropriate for a person's pursuit of happiness to occur at the expense of others. While all subjects praised the women's qualities of independence, strength, and strong will, they have different views of Jen. Most American subjects perceived Jen as a free individual, but most of the Chinese audiences criticized her as overly cunning and morally corrupt from a Confucian point of view. However, most Americans found the character Sulian lackluster, since she hesitates to pursue personal happiness, but most Chinese subjects saw her as a well-rounded character who, unlike Jen, is mature and noble enough to control her feelings."
Abstract This paper explains that "Beowulf", composed circa 800A.D. and written circa 1000 A.D., is a classic epic depicting kings, queens, knights, blood feuds, monsters and dragons. The author points out that, because Beowulf, the main character, has brain and brawn, which are highlighted throughout the tale, and is dignified, brave, wise and a superior warrior; only a commendable challenger is capable of defeating him. The paper relates that there are many monstrous beasts that Beowulf encounters and defeats; however, the dragon is not a monster but rather the most worthy adversary of any beast Beowulf encounters, whose death glorifies both the dragon himself and Beowulf. The paper includes several quotations as examples.
From the Paper "Although the dragon was not trying to get his treasure back in a civilized manor, he can't be asked to; he is in-fact an animal. It is hard to imagine now, but in the time the poem was composed, a dragon was considered to be an animal. Similar to how people may view Lochness or Bigfoot today, an animal that may or may not exist. It is important to understand that people of the time thought of a dragon as an animal because by accepting he is one, in-turn accepts that he does not have a conscience of right and wrong. Animals may have emotions, such as happiness, fear, or rage, but they do not have a concept of good or evil."
This paper discuses the genre of travelogues by comparing Caryl Phillips' "The European Tribe" and Karen Connolly's "Touch the Dragon - a Thai Journal".
Abstract This paper states that Caryl Phillips' "The European Tribe" and Karen Connolly's "Touch the Dragon - a Thai Journal" are two very different types of 20th century travelogues. The author points out that Caryl Phillips' book is definitely superior in its attention to history and context because the author kept searching, reflecting and reporting on what he noticed in his travels in Europe. The paper concludes that Connolly's work is immature, has little to report of Thailand as a greater phenomenon but has much to account about the teenage, feminist impressions of Karen Connolly herself. The paper relates that "Touch the Dragon" does serve a growing market for travelogues produced by young people for youths who typically wish to travel as a guaranteed source of self development.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Caryl Phillips and "The European Tribe"
Karen Connolly, "Touch the Dragon - a Thai Journal"
Travel as Source of Identity
Concluding Remarks
From the Paper "She is gradually introduced to Thai etiquette, which she confesses to sometimes resenting, as in the need for great politeness or just not pointing with one's foot. The reader does wonder how some Thai people with whom she came in contact thought of their visitor. Again, there is the sense of a book not written by the best caliber of Canadian, but by a person of a certain age used to self-promotion to think that her impressions should be taken seriously or as significant, as a very unattractive feature of this book."
Abstract This paper examines the poem "Beowulf" which tells the story of the hero Beowulf and his fight to save a community, which is not his own, first from the monster Grendel and then from Grendel's mother. Later in the poem, Beowulf also fights a dragon. It explains that these monsters fight from different motives, from the relatively petty pique of Grendel to the desire for vengeance from Grendel's mother and the desire for revenge against a wrong from the dragon. The writer shows how the attack produces a response from Beowulf that shows aspects of his character, makes it possible for him to show his prowess, and suggests the values that shape the society of his time.
From the Paper "The monster Grendel attacks Hrothgar's army in Heorot, and the motivations given in the poem begin with the fact that the creature is simply unhappy and does not like to see human beings happy. The army celebrates because of its great victory in war and because Hrothgar has constructed Heorot, and Hrothgar now holds a feast where he gives out rings and treasure to his men. Grendel is described as a "fierce spirit" (3) who painfully endures hardship and "who dwelt in the darkness" (3), and the reason given for his pain is that "every day he heard loud mirth in the hall" (3). The warriors "lived in joy" (3), while Grendel is called a "grim spirit" and a "hellish enemy" (3). Grendel is also described as an "Unhappy creature" (3), and one of the reasons for this is that "he lived for a time in the home of the monsters' race" (3). This is a reference to the place to which Cain and his progeny were banished after Cain slew Abel. This aspect of the story is a likely addition from the Christian era, but the story as it now stands suggests that Grendel is seeking revenge for having been so banished and for having to live with "all the bad breeds, trolls and elves and monsters" (3) that were born to Cain and his descendants because of that banishment."
This paper examines "Big Dragon China's Future: What it Means for Business, the Economy, and the Global Order" by Daniel Burstein and Arne de Keijzer who both contend that China is well on its way to becoming the world's largest economy.
Abstract This paper reviews Burstein and de Keijzer's "Big Dragon China's Future: What it Means for Business, the Economy, and the Global Order" in which both authors predict that by the 2030s China will be the world's largest economy. This paper discusses the various companies that have suffered due to the shifting politics of foreign policy between China being in favor one day and out the next. This paper also details the views of Jeffrey Garten, a writer for "Harvard Business Review" who sees China as enticement for foreign investors, yet stresses caution should be used in developing any business relationship with China. This well-written paper covers several areas regarding China's economy including a U.S. initiative supporting China's membership in the World Trade Organization, expansion of U.S. public-private partnerships to invest and help solve particular problems in China and development of China's policy mutually with U.S. allies. "Big Dragon" profiles many individual Chinese entrepreneurs and others who are bringing a new China into being. This paper also focuses on Zhang Wei, one of China's more successful entrepreneurs, who went from government researcher to heading a company employing 400 in only three years. Despite the differences between practices in China and other countries, many corporations are willing to take a big gamble on China, seeing that their future is dependent on their performance in China.
From the Paper "Over the course of his history, Zhang has captured the essence of the Chinese business world of "catch-as-catch-can". His corporation has various types of holdings, often-different one from the other. Zhang has bridged the gap across the Pacific with the United States with his position of "master franchise holder in China" of an American company, Fun World. What makes this situation particularly unique is that it is one of the first companies in China "to buy an interest in a U.S. company." At the time Big Dragon was written, Zhang was "negotiating an arrangement that would shift manufacturing of all the equipment for the centers to China." Zhang hopes to take the U.S. company over altogether, including the export of the concept to "other countries and selling the franchisees Chinese-made equipment." Zhang has encountered some problems along the way, problems that are compounded by China's culture and lack of laws, which govern specific business issues. One is that franchisees have stolen the company name and have opened their own centers."
Abstract This paper explains the rationale behind Batrionics' entry into a joint venture agreement with a Chinese manufacturer, Red Dragon Enterprises. The paper discusses how the owner of Red Dragon Enterprises was engaging in unscrupulous activities that caused Batrionics to lose a considerable level of its capital. The paper then considers the options and recommends that Batrionics should continue to pursue this venture to recoup the investment that had already been made. The advantages of implementing total quality management in the Chinese factory are also discussed.
Outline:
Description of the Nature of the Product
Environmental Justification for Country Recommendation
Competitor Identification
Market Entry and Expansion
Country-of-Origin, Consumer Ethnocentrism and Consumer Animosity
Market Segmentation, Target Marketing and Positioning
Recommendations
From the Paper "Batrionics is an Australian manufacturer of different types of industrial batteries. In order to enhance the cost competitiveness of the company, the owner Rex Adams had moved the manufacturing operation to Taiwan. However price sensitivities in Taiwan were making the market unfavourable. Therefore he decided to expand to China. This market has one of the lowest labour costs in the world. Additionally it is the fastest growing market in the world. Therefore the Chinese market provided a lucrative opportunity for Batrionics. Rex Adams decided to enter a joint venture agreement with Red Dragon Enterprise, a local manufacturer of related products. Although there were some quality issues, Rex Adams thought that his company's knowledge and skills could be leveraged against Red Dragon's resources to build an effective manufacturing operation in China."
Abstract This paper analyzes the popular and generic status of the "Eyes of the Dragon" by Stephen King. The author of the paper justifies why she believes this text is an example of popular fiction. The paper analyzes the book's genre, cover and its content, with emphasis on the various drawings and the novel's historical context.
From the Paper "Stephen King wrote this book largely for his daughter Naomi as she, to quote King, ?made it clear that she loves me, but has very little interest in my vampires, ghoulies, and slushy crawling things.? According to King Naomi loved the end result and thought that the "only thing wrong with it was that she didn"t want it to end? . His daughter Naomi was even represented in one of the characters, appropriately called Naomi. The fact that he wrote the book for his 13-year-old daughter who had no interest in horror might explain why the novel has so many resemblances to a fairy tale. The book talks about kings, princes, dragons and other characters that are usually used in fairy tales."
Abstract This paper provides a character analysis of the Squire from Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" who is the son of the Knight and who is is described as a fashionable young man and who is rather spoiled, far from being the knight he is to become. It analyzes how the Squire would be most impressed with Beowulf, for he encompasses all that a knight should be, a true hero since like the Squire's father and the mythical knight of his tale, Beowulf embarks on journeys of epic proportion, slaying monsters and dragons. It evaluates how the Squire would see Beowulf as a mentor, as the epitome of noble accomplishment.
From the Paper "Chaucer's England was based on societal structure. People belonged to certain class systems and remained there their entire lives. Chaucer gives the reader a sample of each class within his characters. The Plowman represents the peasant class, for example, and the Knight represents the person of highest rank among the author's characters. He is noble fighter who fought in the Crusades. The Knight's son, the Squire, is described as a fashionable young man, representing the latest style of dress. The embroidery, on the Squire's clothes, "not only makes his clothes look more handsome, but it makes him appear to be well-to-do and more desirable. His clothing shows him as a vain man indulging in minor illegalities to attract the attention of the opposite sex" (Pfister pg)."
Abstract This paper looks at some of the controversial works of Andres Serrano such as "Piss Christ"; "Pneumonia Due to Drowning" and ?Grand Dragon of the Invisible Empire.? The paper discusses how, when reviewing Serrano's works, it is important to look beyond the historical, monetary and political controversy for a moment and to evaluate his productions of art as works of art in and of themselves.
From the Paper "The photography and other works of the artist Andres Serrano have, in many ways, become synonymous with the 1980's and 1990's cultural wars, specifically with the fight of the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) to secure continued funding and to secure its continued existence from the United States Congress. The images of Serrano such as his "Piss Christ" in which an image of Christ on a crucifix was submerged in urine was used as a kind of "look at what the NEA hath wrought" proof of the organization's funding. Of course, even the greatest work of art can be rendered in a verbally reductive sense, as in ?Leonardo's "Mona Lisa" is just a picture of a woman with a funny smile, what's the big deal?? It is important, when reviewing Serrano's works, to look beyond the historical monetary and political controversy for a moment, and to evaluate his productions of art as works of art in and of themselves."
Abstract During the 1960s, one of the revolutionary developments that changed the landscape of American culture and history was the establishment of the Hippie Movement. The paper shows that besides rock music, traditional folk music came into being once again, only this time, a mixture of rock influence was infused with traditional folk music. This type of music was played by bands such 'Peter, Paul and Mary' which received acclaim and popularity because of the liberal ideas they incorporated into their songs. This paper analyzes one of the band's songs, the famous children's rhyme entitled, "Puff (the Magic Dragon)." The paper looks at how the song can be interpreted in two ways - the loss of innocence of children as they embark into the real world and the issue of drug addiction.
From the Paper "Symbolism is used to connote the themes of lost childhood and drug addiction in the song. The dragon symbolizes the child/ drug addict, while Little Jackie Paper represents the lost childhood/ drug addiction of the "dragon" in the song. Also, Honah Lee is said to represent more than the land where magic and fantasy becomes a reality; what the place really stood for is symbolic of Hanalei, a Hawaiian village wherein marijuana plants are dominantly cultivated (Mikkelson 2001). Rhyming is utilized to create the childish tone and theme that the song assumes, while the audience the song aims at is the adult audience."
Abstract This essay compares and contrasts the characters of Lady Kaede in Akira Kurosawa's "Ran"), the Second Mistress in Zhang Yimou's "Raise the Red Lantern", and Jade Fox in Ang Lee's ?Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?. It explains how their domesticated role is only a facade concealing their inner struggles of grief and inferiority, which manifest in their violent, devastating acts of vengeance.
From the Paper "Many script writers and directors craftily portray the inequality of gender as the orthodox lifestyle of many Asians and Asian Americans. In Kurosawa's Ran, Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern, and Lee's Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, the directors illustrate Lady Kaede (Ran), the Second Mistress (RTRL), and Jade Fox (CTHD) as suppressed and domesticated Asian females in feudal society, which ultimately, this leads to an outbreak of vengeance that empowers these female characters."
