Abstract This paper examines how travesties of Brazil reproduce and reinforce gender and sexual norms of Brazilian society even as they transgress them. It takes a look at how they reflect dominant ideas about men and women, masculinity and femininity. The paper also compares travesties to the berdache of native North America in order to show how sexual "others" in different cultures, even though historically and geographically distant. The paper concludes that both reveal the culturally constructed nature of sex and gender and even emphasize it as they reflect locally meaningful social norms.
From the Paper "Travestis did not only adopt and reproduced the female image, they have also reinforced it. They are in a constant competition with Brazilian woman. This includes body shape, fashion and behavior. Thus travestis are generally better dressed, better maintained, have better lovers (Kulick, 1998). In order to feel feminine when you do not (or are not), the formula to follow is described above. Relating it only reinforces the prescribed feminine image in the eyes of observers. This application shows that it is an accepted way of being a "female". Making it something close to competition places additional weight on this socially constructed perception of a woman."
Abstract This paper begins with a brief biographical sketch of the life of Tom Stoppard, outlining his adolescent years in Japan, his university education and his career accomplishments. The paper also explains how Stoppard's early works led to the writing of his play "Travesties" and how Stoppard would mix humor with seriousness and moral concern when he wrote. Finally, the paper examines and analyzes "Travesties", explaining the central concept and theme running throughout the play.
Outline
Thesis Statement
Tom Stoppard: The Man
The Early Works as a Background for Travesties The Close Up Look at Travesties
From the Paper "Although there does not exist a book with the title of "Travesties," that was written by Tomas Straussler, now known as Tom Stoppard the worldwide acclaimed playwright and author, there is indeed his stage play with this title. The critically acclaimed play had its first performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company on June 10, 1974, at the Aldwych Theater in London and has played to packed houses throughout the world for several years following its debut and indeed is still performed by younger theater groups particularly in the United States on the university levels."
Tags: implications, nuances, pyrotechnics, a, walk, on, the, water, novel, rosencrantz, and, guildenstern, are, dead
Abstract This paper examines two groups of 'spectacular sexual deviants' in two sexual-cultural contexts and examines if and how they reproduce and reinforce gender and sexual norms that they are transgressing. Specifically, the paper examines the travestis of Brazil and the tomboi of Indonesia. The paper argues that, in general, the travestis of Brazil reproduce the dominant ideas about women and femininity particularly in the area of gendered beauty and sexual relationships and that the tomboi of Indonesia, reproduce the dominant notions of masculinity, which leads them to be attracted to the 'opposite' feminine sex.
From the Paper "Many travestis also embrace characteristics that are traditionally called 'feminine' and according to Kulick (1998) these include the tendency to gossip, be jealous and strive towards passionate love. Another way in which the travestis reinforce gender roles and definition is in their choice of boyfriends and the relationships that they have with those boyfriends, particularly sexual relationships. Travestis look for heterosexual boyfriends only and in that relationship the travestis are the 'givers' (Kulick, 1998), that is they are penetrated by the boyfriends during sexual relations, and they are never that penetrates. In this way they assume the role of the woman in the relationship. They are also expected to do the housekeeping and cooking in such a relationship. According to Kulick (1998) the boyfriends even sometimes dictate what the travestis wear and sometimes veto clothes they consider to revealing or sexy. The only oddity is the fact that it is the travestis who are the financial providers in the relationship. The boyfriend usually moved in with the travesti, and depended on him/her for food and clothing. This may seem odd in a relationship with a heterosexual male. However, travestis consider themselves men too and perhaps the role of a financial provider is not so odd when viewed in this way."
Abstract This paper shall examine, in the context of selected writings from native literature, whether there is a relationship between the role of the "Berdache" or third gender in traditional Native cultures, and the roles played by contemporary "Two-Spirited" writers.
Abstract This essay describes the role that television plays in American Society. The essay follows television from its advent and measures the expectation of TV as a beneficial resource against the reality of what television has actually become. The paper speaks of parent responsibility in child viewing and briefly touches on censorship.
From the Paper "There have been many inventions, which have fundamentally changed the intellectual and cultural worldview of society. Television is one such invention. It is an instrument of capitalism, entertainment, and education. It infiltrates human society by reaching a large, diverse audience, and it breads down cultural barriers such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. Television educates and expands intellectual horizons while simultaneously acting as an outlet for mindless entertainment and an escape into ethereality. Television incites emotion, inspires controversy, and desensitizes the population to the harsh realities of modern life. There is no denying the enormous impact television has had on the world population since its introduction in the mid twentieth century. Television has left its imprint on the face of world culture, and responsibility demands that we survey, with a discerning eye, the long-term benefits and consequences of this mortal institution."
Abstract This paper explains that, amidst the Cold War and the killing of 11 Israeli Olympic team members by Arab terrorists, the 1972 United States Olympic basketball team took to the court in Munich, Germany, and lost ... or were the players cheated by the Soviets? Dating back to 1936, no American team had ever lost in men's basketball in Olympic play. The author describes the final game between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which was marred by controversy. After the loss, the paper relates, the U.S. team players refused to accept their silver medals.
From the Paper "This is where the strange confusion begins. After the Soviets in-bounded the ball, the officials halted the game for the first time. The officials decided to put three seconds back onto the clock because it was believed that the Soviet Team tried to call a time-out between Collins' free throws. The officials never acknowledged the Soviet time-out at the time; nonetheless, the additional seconds was granted; the first of a few "issues" that seemed to stack against the United States."
Abstract This essay outlines the experience of cross gendered people in both India and the West and discusses liminal aspects of cross gendered experience. The paper begins with a history of the separation of "gender" and "sex", which occurred in the latter half of the twentieth century. The use of the term "gender" as a reference for the social aspects of sex identity first occurred in the context of clinical research on intersexuality (hermaphroditism) in the 1950?s. The paper then explores the issues of transgender and cross-gender in today's times, specifically focussing on India as compared to the West. The paper explains that sex and gender are currently being redefined by feminist scholars with challenges to the 'universal' sex/gender binary through cross-cultural analysis.
From the Paper "One of the most dynamic and relevant areas in anthropology today is the field of sex and gender in anthropology, with feminist scholars redefining Western, and anthropological, sex/gender "norms" through cross-cultural analysis. "The possibility of having more than two genders was opened up by divorcing gender from sexual morphology and by associating gender rather, indeed primarily, with social role and labour tasks" (Ramet 1996: 2). While concepts of universal, male:female, sexual binaries are being called into question, cross-cultural evidence and anthropological theories are being employed in entirely new ways."
A discussion on how reading Hugh Dempsey's chapter "
They Acted Like Women" from "The Vengeful Wife and Other Blackfoot Stories" changes our understanding of alternative sexualities in Native Americans.
Abstract The paper examines Chapter 5 of Hugh Dempsey's work "The Vengeful Wife and Other Blackfoot Stories" and how changes our perception of homosexuality in Native American tribes. The paper relates that this chapter, entitled "They Acted Like Women", dispels many myths and stereotypes and gives the reader a better understanding of the underlying causes of the various gender roles in Native American society. The paper concludes that Dempsey makes the Westernized reader step out of their world and out of their own biases. He allows the reader to explore gender differences from a much different perspective than other western authors
Outline:
Gender and Gender Roles
Towards an Egalitarian Society
Biology or Sociology?
From the Paper "Native American culture is much more flexible in its interpretation of lifestyle variations. The focus of Native American society was on the roles that a person played within he tribe and daily activities, than on sexual behavior. Dempsey explores some of the various roles and examples of men and women that deviated from the norm. Native American society allowed for a definition of gender that was neither male nor female, yet encompassed the roles of both at the same time.
"Dempsey examines the variations of gender roles that existed within Native American society. His exploration makes us realize that there are many more ways to define gender roles than our limited Western vocabulary allows. "Berdache" is the word used to describe individuals of a definitive physiological sex who take on the status and role of the opposite sex (Dempsey, 2003). There are a number of sexual preferences out of the norm that fall into this category. This category encompasses homosexuals, transvestites, or simply one who shows strong characteristics of the opposite sex."
Abstract This paper examines how occasionally disobedience may be necessary to preserve one's moral integrity. For instance, if one is directed by law to kill a human being, or to commit some other sort of heinous crime it is up to the individual to decide whether obedience poses enough of a threat to his or her moral integrity that he or she cannot continue following the law or rule. It evaluates how in most cases, however, it is in the best interests of the individual to obey and to instead amend the system where necessary. It provides examples throughout history where disobeying laws had positive results such as leaders of nonviolent protest movement (e.g., Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr.) who broke laws in the strict sense. It also analyzes laws such as conscription laws which can cause a travesty of moral obligations.
From the Paper "Therefore, strictly speaking, it is extremely difficult to act against a law without violating some facet of the body of law in some way. Much of our conception of changing things by "working within the system" is based on Western governmental notions of democratic government. In many other political contexts, there may be no system to work with. For instance, in a totalitarian dictatorship, such as exists in North Korea, for instance, what room is there to change the system? The very act of attempting to change any element of the system might very well be regarded as illegal. It is arguable that this can be found in United States history as well, as with the Sedition Act mentioned above."
Abstract William Jackson, in his book "A History of the United States Between the Civil War and 1900" notes, "as a result of the Industrial Revolution and the expansion of America westward and beyond, the influence of the corporations continue today and sheds light on an ever-growing domestic travesty". The paper shows that in the decades between 1860 and 1900, the United States underwent numerous social and political changes brought about by the devastating consequences of the Civil War, the great westward expansion beyond the Mississippi River, the development of class structures in American cities and especially the developments that resulted from the Industrial Revolution. The paper shows that all of these together not only altered the entire face of American society but also helped to make the country one of the most important and powerful nations in the western hemisphere.
From the Paper "But by the middle of the 19th century, agriculture began to take on a brand-new meaning, for many farmers saw the potential in growing larger crops as surplus or even by specializing in certain cash crops, such as cotton and tobacco, which could be sold at market for high profits. The increasing demand for cotton by the textile mills of Great Britain furthered the need for machinery and brought about a huge demand for new inventions which literally created the rise of the American South as a major exporter of many other cash crops, such as sugar, rice, linen flax and especially hemp for rope fiber, clothing and numerous other dry goods. In the regions of the Northeast, the explosive growth of cities and towns centered around mills created an enormous demand for hogs, cattle, sheep, corn, wheat, wool, butter, milk, cheese, fruits and vegetables and fodder to feed horses, the primary mode of transportation up until the expansion of the railroads into all areas of the country."
Abstract By the mid-19th century, theater in the United States had undergone a dramatic transformation. Theater became enormously popular and attracted a more genteel and wealthy audience. The paper shows how plays by American writers began to showcase social concerns, and actors and actresses enjoyed a new-found status as respected members of society. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" became one of the most popular plays of the time and typified American theater's new focus on social conditions. The paper shows that the last half of the 19th century marked significant changes in American theater. These changes were partially spurred by the large population growth in East Coast cities. As America grew, the number of theaters increased. Also as America's leisure time increased and wages increased, Americans looked to the theater for entertainment. The paper explains that improvements in transportation allowed actors and actresses to tour parts of America that had never had professional theaters, and the result was an explosion in the popularity of the theater.
From the Paper "The historical accuracy of Uncle Tom's cabin was also indicative of the move toward the historical accuracy of sets, costumes, and dialects seen in 19th century theater (Robinson). The play is a 'melodrama', or simply a play with music, allowing American audiences all over the country exposure to the music of the Negro spiritual, which contained a complex mixture of dialect and music that depicted black culture of the time. In ACT II, Scene 4, Topsy sings 'Oh, I'se So Wicked', a song that characterized the life and dialect of southern slaves, and depicted the degradation of slaves."
Abstract Between the works of Montaigne and Descartes, there are many similarities. Both philosophers are, by name, skeptics, questioning the history of knowledge and the ability of man to gain knowledge by the present means. This paper shows how both writers express the idea that when one claims to have full knowledge of anything, he or she is probably demonstrating only the limitations of his own method and/or view and fixing in mind the impossibility of a difference. To Descartes and Montaigne, this is one of the greatest of travesties. It also discusses how each man expresses his philosophy upon the nature of man, the nature of reason, the value of senses, and, lastly, upon God's place in the knowledge of man.
From the Paper "The departure between theses men's ideas begins when Montaigne demonstrates his utter disbelief in any person's ability to truly gain knowledge, especially through a conscious effort and Descartes? belief that if one sets aside all presumptions and simply develops knowledge through senses and reason alone (a property we all have in equality) as flawed as they may be, then true knowledge can be gained. They both believe that there is true knowledge, or truth while one believes it is possible to discover it (Descartes) the other thinks it is not for man to know (Montaigne)."
Abstract This paper focuses on Sharia law and its possible implementation as an alternative arbitrary court in Ontario, Canada. The author argues that given its misogynistic nature, Sharia courts should not be implemented as a means of relieving the overburdened Ontario judicial system. In fact, the author feels a Sharia court would be a travesty for Muslim women, who should enjoy the same rights and freedoms of all Canadian women, regardless of their religious belief system.
From the Paper "Sharia law is often seen as oppressive to Muslim women and misogynistic. Many who opposed the implementation of the Sharia courts in Ontario feared for the safety of Muslim women, and found its implementation to be a legitimizing of the goals of Islamic fundamentalists. Under Sharia, women's roles are quite defined.
Although women are not prohibited from working outside of the household there is a strong emphasis on domestic duties such as housekeeping and child rearing. Women, however, generally are not permitted to be clergy or religious scholars. Many fundamentalists believe that Sharia is interpreted to prohibit women from holding prominent jobs; therefore women are forbidden from working in government ("Sharia law", 2005)."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the blood-curdling episode of genocide in Rwanda, in which 800 000 people were murdered and million of others were left injured, maimed and homeless. The paper discusses how such a travesty could occur in a country that is supposedly the most Christian of all Christian countries.
From the Paper "When people were being butchered mercilessly on the streets, the one question that emerged on the scene was connected with the Christianity of the country. What kind of Christians would go on this slaughter spree? Was the mission a failure as it was able to convert people but failed to instill the true Christian spirit? These were some important questions which were relevant since Rwanda is regarded as the most Christian of all African states with 80 to 90 percent of its population claiming to be following this faith. Christian work had started in early 1900s and by 1920 Roman Catholicism had spread into many parts of the country. The mission was considered highly successful when in 1930s, almost 1000 people were being baptized every week (Barrett 1992). The country officially became a Christian state in 19466 when most of its tribal heads had converted. (Gatwa 1995:5). "
Abstract The paper reviews the reasons behind the Patriot Act's formulation and passage into law in order to explain why millions of Americans were willing to cast the Constitution aside in the name of national security. The paper explores the critical responses to this Act and the Constitutional challenges it presents. The paper strongly contends that
Constitutional challenges to the Patriot Act should be intensively pursued and asserts that this Act is a travesty of democracy. A large amount of source material is appended to the paper.
Outline:
Introduction
Background and History of USA Patriot Act Origination
Critical Responses to Patriot Act
Content and Implications of Patriot Act
Reasons for Constitutional Challenge
Content of 8 USC 1182
Amendment Issues
Case Law Discussion
Implications of Future Terrorist Attacks
Recommendations
Conclusion
From the Paper "In stating the problems presented by the USA Patriot Act and in examining its background, it is necessary to review the reasons for its formulation and passage into law, for they explain why millions of Americans have been willing to cast the Constitution aside in the name of national security. This Act emerged into the national consciousness just eight days after the al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, when the Bush Administration made a legislative proposal that has become known as the USA Patriot Act. (Balkin)"
"Critics contend that the proposal was not the product of a carefully considered examination of the failures and deficiencies of the American law enforcement and intelligence agencies that allowed the attacks to succeed, but was little more than a collection of questionable old conservative agendas that were taken off the shelf and introduced by the Bush Administration in the form of vital new powers the federal government needed to protect the United States from terrorism. (Brunswick)"
