Abstract This paper discusses Robin Wood's essay, "Drums Along the Mohawk", in which he presents a wide-ranging critical analysis of the work of John Ford in his 1939 drama of the same name. The paper describes Wood's analysis of the film and the arguments that he presents. It then critically analyzes the article and presents the writer's point of view as to the article's validity.
From the Paper "These strengths related to the conceptual framework of the film also highlight a key weakness in Wood's text: its lack of extensive discussion of the cinematic aspects of the work. Indeed, with the exception of a brief discussion of composition in Ford's work (Wood 176), there is little discussion of the film as film instead of in terms of its conceptual framework. Despite film being a visual medium, with only a handful of exceptions Wood's text does not address the visual qualities of Ford's achievement."
Abstract This paper looks at how the Mohawk are a part of a group of indigenous North Americans known as the Iroquois. It attempts to explain the past and present state of the Mohawk nation, its origins, and its struggles. It also explores the beginnings of Iroquoian society and Mohawk language, arts, and economy. It also examines how the Mohawk are survivors and how, from the days of their early ancestors to the present day, although they have dwindled in number, they live on.
From the Paper "The turning point for the Mohawk and the Six Nations was the revolutionary war. Many Iroquois fought on the side of the British, despite the League's declared neutrality in the conflict. With the end of the war and American victory, British land was ceded to the Patriots, with no mention made in the (war-ending) Treaty of Paris of 1783 of Indian land rights (Bonvillain 69). The result was that ?by the early 1780s, most of the Mohawk had left their traditional lands in New York to seek safety in Canada (Bonvillain 71).?"
Abstract The paper evaluates Mohawk Industries which specializes in flooring products. The paper explains that Mohawk does not intend to expand internationally; its focus is on the North American market. The paper looks at the Armstrong company and relates that it is exposed to some degree of market risk from Mohawk's growth strategies in its home market, but the company can offset any risk by unrivaled growth overseas.
From the Paper "Mohawk Industries (Mohawk) is a market leading supplier of flooring products that includes a line of ceramic floor tiles. Mohawk's product lines are: broadloom carpet, ceramic tiles, wood, stone, laminate material, vinyl, rugs, as well as other floor and flooring related products (Mohawk, 2005). Mohawk is currently operating under an expansion and growth strategy. It has invested $107 million in capital expenditures towards both market acquisitions as well as capacity expansion (Mohawk, 2005). After extensive research it appears that Mohawk has a full understanding of its overall value chain and, within each functional business unit, the organization fully grasps each internal value link. The value chain can be described as, "...the sequence of major business activities that add utility (usefulness) to the products or services provided by an organization to its customers" (Hwang, 1999, p.95)."
Abstract This paper examines the Pearl Drum Company, which began in Japan in April 1946, initially as a manufacturer of music stands and, eventually, as a producer of bass and snare drums and stands. It looks at how Pearl drums are created to be a product that consumers will be proud to purchase and the importance to the company that musicians want to be associated with them. It looks at how they focus strongly on producing quality products and on being perceived as one of the best companies in the industry. It also shows how they also focus on creating an image for the company that matches what musicians are looking for, an image of success, and an image closely linked with the high energy world of the music industry.
From the Paper "The Pearl Drum Company has also been aware that the best option for promoting their products is to have significant bands using them. This has resulted in the company supporting and sponsoring various bands and musicians. When these bands are successful, the Pearl name is effectively promoted. For the average consumer, they might see the Pearl name on the drum set at a concert or on a film clip. This is an effective promotional option from Pearl, and one that costs less than actually creating advertisements. In addition, Pearl also reaches the market of musicians and drummers by this method. In the music industry, it is often known which brand of drums musicians use. The Pearl Drum Company supporting a drummer who is respected by other drummers is an effective promotional strategy."
Abstract The steel drum, or steel pan, is a unique instrument commonly heard in Caribbean music today, and is one of the most recently "invented" instruments in the world, when taken in its current form. However, the roots of the instrument date as far back as the 18th century. This paper examines the roots of the steel drum, as well as the evolution of the instrument its self. Additionally, this paper examines the steel drum's impact on the Trinidad society.
From the Paper "The steel drum claims origin on the island of Trinidad, located in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela. This island and the smaller island of Tobago, located 19 miles northeast of Trinidad, make up the single nation state of Trinidad and Tobago. To understand the evolution of the steel drum in this area, it is important to evaluate the political history of the islands, since it was that very political situation which helped the area to develop the instrument (Goddard, 1991). "
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss and analyze the book "The Tin Drum" by Gunter Grass. Specifically, the paper focuses on two particular chapters. Firstly, Chapter 27 (Inspection of Concrete, or Barbaric, Mystical, Bored), and Chapter 28 (The Imitation of Christ). Gunter Grass' "The Tin Drum" is an historic look at a Polish family with a young son stunted by an accident. Oskar turns out to be a performing midget, who is ludicrous and yet endearing. The writer claims that the themes of the book are complex and the style is demanding, but it is a rewarding read that causes the reader to think, to feel, and to sometimes agree with the author's clearly defined themes.
From the Paper "Chapter 27 of "The Tin Drum" is entitled "Inspection of Concrete, or Barbaric, Mystical, Bored," and in it, Oskar's theatre troop inspects several German concrete bunkers along the Atlantic Wall. During their visit, the groups inspects the fine concrete of the bunkers, (inlaid with shells from the nearby beaches), and discovers one of the soldiers was an artist before the war. The artist, named Lankes, titles one of his "Oblique Formations" (pillboxes) "Barbaric, Mystical, Bored" (Grass 337), and the troupe leader Bebra replies, "You have given our century its name" (Grass 337). Grass uses the pillboxes as an art form to signify the sheer waste of war."
Abstract This paper looks at the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, which got its start in 1948 and was originally called the Boy Scout Troop III Drum and Bugle Corps. In particular, it shows how the Cavaliers? pursuit of excellence explains its more than five decades of continued activity filled with extraordinary examples of success in a highly competitive arena.
From the Paper "In 1950, the Cavaliers were just a parade corps with hand-me-down uniforms from the more seasoned Bell Corps that consisted of Eisenhower jackets, shakos & plumes. But, they would soon learn a drill and enter big-time competition. They had taken on the Cavalier name and logo from a new cigarette. The logo was a cavalier with a plumed hat, sword and cape. The cigarette company, as part of its promotional campaign, had made available a costume jewelry pin of the logo which the Cavaliers would wear on their hats. After a summer full of parades, contests and other appearances in 1950, the Cavalier's treasury was sufficient to allow new uniforms for 1951 that were Kelly Green. The Cavaliers would soon earn the reputation as an up- and-coming corps."
Abstract This paper examines the novel, "Bang the Drum Slowly" by Mark Harris, a fictional story about two major league ball players. The two main characters are Henry Author or Arthur Wiggen, a pitcher who sees himself as bright, witty, and competent, and his friend, Bruce Pearson, a catcher, who is clearly a little slow mentally, although apparently a good ball player. He is also rigid in his thinking, can bat only one way, and is determined that only his friend Henry, whom he calls Arthur instead of Author, knows that he is dying of Hodgkin's Disease. The paper analyzes the predominant themes in the story, which are the strength of their friendship and loyalty and how Arthur must lie to protect his friend's secret.
From the Paper "Earlier in the book, Henry has said that life is just one big problem after the other, and his difficulties keeping his promise to Bruce are growing. Henry value's Joe's friendship, but when Bruce, imagining that he can really play the card game, asks to join, Henry stops playing, offending Joe, who starts calling Henry and Bruce ?Romeo and Juliet.? It ends his close friendship with Joe. Henry is torn by the complications presented by keeping his promise to Bruce. He says, "Suppose you were up to your neck in a barrel of shit and a fellow was tossing baseballs at you. What do you do" Do you duck?? (p. 117) But eventually he has to tell another team member, Goose, so he will have a little backup protecting Bruce from the incessant teasing. Goose has been teasing Bruce, and defends it by saying, ?A man has got to have a little fun.? ?He is dying,?) Henry says. (p. 133) Eventually, Goose will tell his roommate."
Tags: hodgkin?s, disease, arthur, bruce, loyalty, major, league, ball, players
Abstract This paper examines how "The Tin Drum", written by Gunter Grass, is one of the most outstanding novels that represents the cruelties inflicted by the German army on others. In particular, it looks at how the prime character in the story is Oskar Matzerath, who, as a result of the hard German regime and cruelties, repudiates to grow up in protest of the Germans. It attempts to explain the psyche behind Oskar's thinking and why he became the sort of person he was. It primarily emphasizes the main theme of the book, i.e. guilt, and explains whether this feeling turned Oskar into a better person or just caused an evasion in his personality.
From the Paper "The novel starts by introducing to the audience a vague character named Oskar who is instituted in a mental asylum. Though every once a week people visit him, he finds no joy in that. His only friend is his watcher and caretaker named Bruno Munsterberg. His decision to stop growing up was adamant. "For many years I not only stayed the same size but clung to the same attire" (Gunter Grass, The Tin Drum). Throughout the novel the audience feels that Oskar liked to give a rational interpretation of the actual events in his life. He gave these incidents his own spice so that he could become the hero of his own play. He is even told by his watcher to stop dreaming. In some points in the novel, Oskar while relating stories to his audience realizes that he has exaggerated the truth a little too much and then backtracks to tell what the actual truth was."
Abstract This paper analyzes the poems "Come Up From the Fields Father" and "Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night" from Walt Whitman's "Drum Taps", explaining that Whitman uses the tool of contradiction to make the point about the universal tragedy of war.
From the Paper "The introductory poem in "Drum-Taps, "First O Songs for a Prelude" is a remembrance of the patriotism and sacrifice of individuals in answering the country's call to war. It was written after the war as a paean to the patriotic spirit and selfless enthusiasm with which the country took up arms in defense of a principle. Yet it is presented first in this collection, and this positioning makes an eloquent setting for the tragic two stories in the poems "Come Up From the Fields Father" and "Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night.""
Abstract This paper discusses "The Different Drum," in which M. Scott Peck relates how he first developed a sense of community in his own life and then seeks to apply the lessons learned to global issues. The writer examines Peck's rules for community-making and the relationship that Peck sees between community building, religion and international peace. The writer concludes with a definition of religion and notes that Peck's ideal of a more integrated religious community worldwide could provide grounds for agreement on many issues in international relations.
From the Paper "The role of religion in international conflict is far too often as a motivating force bringing about such conflict. Peck (1987) says this is because world views are religions and make all wars into "holy wars." To move away from this situation, it is necessary to distinguish between true and false religions: "Otherwise the only standards will be those that can win out over the others on a bloody battlefield" (p. 240)."
Abstract The paper illustrates how in Gabriel Okara's poem, "Piano and Drums," the poet represents all Africans who have received western education. The paper shows how Okara emphasizes the clash of cultures through various poetic devices and diction.
From the Paper "The theme portrayed by the poet in the poem is that of cultural conflict. He uses piano and drums to represent the two cultural values that are in conflict. In the poem, the culture of the African people is symbolized by the drum while the culture of the western people is symbolized by the piano. The poet represents all Africans who have received western education. And he is rent in two by the two cultural values: the culture of the African people into which he was born and bred and the cultural values of the western people which he gained through education and working experience."
Abstract This paper presents two essays that discuss how history is represented in films: the 1997 "Amistad" that deals with the 1839 revolt by kidnapped Africans against their captors, and the 1939 "Drums Along the Mohawk" that deals with the effects of the beginning of the American War of Independence on the lives of pioneers living in New York State.
From the Paper "The film Amistad is an account of a fact-base story of the revolt by kidnapped Africans against their captors. The incident touched off no less than three court cases in the U S with former President John Quincy Adams ..."
Tags: Amistad, Mohawk Valley, slavery, African Americans, Africans, justice, law, John Quincy Adams, pioneers, settlers, American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, history, war
Abstract This paper explains that Beth Cuthand's "Post-Oka Kinda Woman"
appears to be about the rather insignificant-looking action of a Native woman walking down the street; however, the subject is really the issue of the Oka crisis, which began on March 11, 1990 and lasted until September 26, 1990. The author points out that, through its prosody, tone, characterization and diction, this poem challenges preconceived notions about Native people. The paper concludes that Cuthand's poem disputes the idea that the Oka crisis is not really over and suggests that the Mohawk nation will continue to fight for their rights over the land.
From the Paper "Prosody in "Post-Oka Kinda Woman" mixes feet within the poem. By not employing 'perfect' metre with every line doing da-dum or dum-da, the metre Cuthand chose reflects the meaning, mood and emotional colour of the words and images. Line one begins with tetrameter, line while two switches to pentameter and line three has hexameter. The changing metre slows down the reader by line three, emphasizing the importance of the words, "victimization, reparation". Although lines four to six ease in the metre by changing to pentameter, line three slows the reader down."
Abstract This paper examines how drumming historically has been used as a means of communication and how marching percussion has followed suit. It looks at how marching percussion has evolved in large part from the military drum lines of history; drummers were used during the Revolutionary War and Civil War to keep armies in line and to signal friends. It shows how the marching percussion has evolved from a simple group of military drummers to a group of civilian musicians that pound out orchestral quality music, still communicating to the public, whether in the form of a school's cheer, a warrior's status or cheer, or public message information.
From the Paper "The marching percussion can now be found in schools, universities, organizations, federal establishments and still in the military. The formation of the marching percussion has changed from the simplistic 10 man line up of early military times. The most basic marching percussion section now has 5 areas that incorporate the following: snare drums, tenor drums, bass drums, cymbals and a "pit" or area on the sideline with any other related musical fare (Rhythmspice, 1999). The equipment used in marching percussion has also changed with time. The heads of snare drums are typically bulletproof and made of very durable material that is durable, because the plastic head of old used to stretch and cause problems with sound quality (Rhythmspice, 1999)."
