Masculinity and the Mythology of Cinematic heros Essay Example for Free

Masculinity and the Mythology of Cinematic heros Essay Gender roles have been a part of the social norm of society since the early existence of civilizations. These roles strictly incline to the two collective divisions of society known as males and females, thus, such gender roles are dubbed as masculinity and femininity. Masculinity is a term which refers to the characteristics attributed to the male populace of society, while femininity signifies qualities reflective to females (Devor, 58). Generally, masculinity is applied with the integration of dominance and pride, in this sense, masculinity for the longest time has been commonly associated with agression and superiority in various aspects of human capability (Devor, 58). In an aesthetic context, motion pictures particularly often incorporate the stereotypical domineering qualities of males in the element of character. Regardless if a role be a police officer, a cowboy, a superhero or an average individual, masculinity is always expressed in male Hollywood film characters, from Superman to Rambo to Terminator, the fundamentals of toughness, dominance and power are always the viewers heroes. Furthermore, machismo, in fact, seems to be the only reasonable and vital characteristic distinct to characters of major motion pictures. Contemporary filmmakers, conversely resshaped the cinematic interpretations of heros, this modern approach is considered to be an augmentation of masculinity since these heroes express more humane qualities, emotion and sensitivity while still poised with conventional toughness. The exemplification of such hybrid portrayal of masculinity is evident in Bruce Willis film Live Free or Die Hard. The motion picture Live Fast or Die Hard gives the hybrid depiction of a hero in John McClaines (Bruce Willis) persona. McClaines responsible yet femine character departs from the dogmatic and arrogant side of manliness. McClaines brawn elements, however, prove to be the only viable means to defeat his adversary, consequently, masculinity is portrayed to be valued and in turn advocates the ideology of male supremacy and patriarchy. The motion picture Live Free or Die Hard depicts John Mclaine at war with an internet based terrorist faction led by Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant). In erference to the films plot may urge a disturbing thought on the emasculation of the conventional cowboys stature in the American film industry. In this regard Live Free or Die Hard may address to this cultural ordeal as it serves as the contemporary guide on the retention of American ideas on the aforementioned character. The film begins with the establishment of the modern hybrid hero, where McClaine is shown as a veteran detective of the New York Police Department receiving a degrading treatment from non-ranking members. The principles of masculinity are epitomized by the law enforcing fathers over-protective nature results to a blatant display of masculinity when his daughter Lucy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is caught torridly kissing a guy in a car. The intimacy of the moment is interrupted when the young man tries to go to second base, McClaine then pry opens the door to apprehend the individual who is taking advantage of his daughter. McClaines knight-in-shining-armor routine, scares the male companion half dead as the latter is single-handedly pulled out of the vehicle. The subsequent scene bequeathes another panorama of the modern heros amlgamation. The supposed macho hero is then found chauffeuring a computer hacker, Matt Farrell (Justin Long) to Washington, a total contraband to the archetypal duty of a hero of saving such national nerds from national bullies. The total drift on the popular notion of heroism is not only on the supporting characters treatment of McClaine but on the plot as well, there are several conflicts in the film that only Farrell can resolve. It is also important to take notice of Farrells qualities; scrawny physique, rebellious attitude and in the fact that Farrell requires some saving every once in a while. There are, conversely, counter-villain moves that do not require the brain-bashing experties of McClaine, a very unorthodox execution of an action movie with an established character. Additionally, to add more insult to the injury of traditional masculine male heroes, Farrell gets to kill the last villain in the movie. The potential hybrid treatment of the hero is consequently transferred to the scrawny computer geek since he gets to battle the villains in the cyberworld, hence, this weak bodied geek gets to save the day. In this regard, the masculinity is now present in the person with the nerdy smarts.

Mark Twains The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn :: Mark Twain Adventures Huck Finn Essays

Mark Twain's "The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn"   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel about a young boy’s coming of age in the Missouri of the mid-1800’s. The main character, Huckleberry Finn, spends much time in the novel floating down the Mississippi River on a raft with a runaway slave named Jim. Before he does so, however, Huck spends some time in the fictional town of St. Petersburg where a number of people attempt to influence him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before the novel begins, Huck Finn has led a life of absolute freedom. His drunken and often missing father has never paid much attention to him; his mother is dead and so, when the novel begins, Huck is not used to following any rules. The book’s opening finds Huck living with the Widow Douglas and her sister, Miss Watson. Both women are fairly old and are really somewhat incapable of raising a rebellious boy like Huck Finn. Nevertheless, they attempt to make Huck into what they believe will be a better boy. Specifically, they attempt, as Huck says, to "sivilize" him. This process includes making Huck go to school, teaching him various religious facts, and making him act in a way that the women find socially acceptable. Huck, who has never had to follow many rules in his life, finds the demands the women place upon him constraining and the life with them lonely. As a result, soon after he first moves in with them, he runs away. He soon comes back, but, even though he becomes somewhat comfortable with his new life as the months go by, Huck never really enjoys the life of manners, religion, and education that the Widow and her sister impose upon him. Huck believes he will find some freedom with Tom Sawyer. Tom is a boy of Huck’s age who promises Huck and other boys of the town a life of adventure. Huck is eager to join Tom Sawyer’s Gang because he feels that doing so will allow him to escape the somewhat boring life he leads with the Widow Douglas. Unfortunately, such an escape does not occur. Tom Sawyer promises much—robbing stages, murdering and ransoming people, kidnaping beautiful women—but none of this comes to pass. Huck finds out too late that Tom’s adventures are imaginary: that raiding a caravan of "A-rabs" really means terrorizing young children on a Sunday school picnic, that stolen "joolry" is nothing more than turnips or rocks. Huck is disappointed that the adventures Tom promises are not real and so, along with the other members, he resigns from the gang.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another person who tries to get

Play Analysis †“Shakuntala” by Kalidasa Essay

A story of gods, nymphs, ancient Indian mythology, spells and love, the romantic comedy Shakuntala by Kalidasa is a timeless classic. Similar plots are still being used in plays, TV shows and movies today, over two thousand years later; man falls in love with girl, something happens that doesnt allow them to be together, another event happens that allows them to be together with a happy ending. Shakuntala tells the story of the protagonist, King Dushyanta, falling for a young woman named Shakuntala. Their love brings us on a journey that makes us laugh, cry tears of mirth and sorrow, and even blows us away by some of the beautiful imagery/poetry. The play commences with King Dushyanta on a hunt, then finding himself in the presence of three women at an ashrama (sacred place). One of these women is Shakuntala, whom Dushyanta falls immediately in love with. Their mutual attraction eventually blossoms into a romance, but one day as Dushyanta is away, a hermit puts a curse on Shakuntala. She was too distracted by thoughts of Dushyanta to receive him as a guest, and so he cursed whoever/whatever she was thinking of. The curse caused Dushyanta forget all about Shakuntala. However, the hermit had a slight change of heart. Because Shakuntala was too busy thinking of Dushyanta, the hermit told her friends that if Dushyanta were presented with a meaningful object representing his relationship with Shakuntala, he would regain his memory of her. Unfortunately, as Shakuntala greeted Dushyanta once more, she discovered that he did not remember her. She remembered that he had given her a ring while they were together, but as she looked down to give it to him she realized it had slipped off her finger, probably while she was in the Ganges River. Shakuntala was then taken away by an invisible nymph up into the sky. Later on, a fisherman (who was taken prisoner for thievery) returned to the king the ring he had found and stolen from the Ganges. The king suddenly remembered everything about Shakuntala. He returned to the ashrama to discover that he now had a son born from Shakuntala. The climax is reached as Dushyanta and Shakuntala meet eyes once more with a powerful connection. They fall back in love with each other and are blessed with eternal happiness by Maricha the perfect. This story starts us off with the confrontation between Dushyanta and Shakuntala, then brings us to a moment of choice when Dushyanta is greeted by the seemingly unknown Shakuntala, and  concludes with the lovers being reunited. Dushyanta and Shakuntala are the main characters of the play, but even though the play is named Shakuntala, one believes that the protagonist is in fact Dushyanta. He is represented as a genuine king, all around nice man, longing for love. When he sees Shakuntala he is not thirsty with lust, but simply a gentleman interested in pursuing a healthy relationship. However, we see that when he is king (when Shakuntala arrives at his palace) he is ruling, just and powerful. Shakuntala is a young, beautiful, innocent woman, but she is also cautious and pessimistic. At first sight of Dushyanta she stands guard of her emotions. At second sight she immediately presumes that its not going to turn out right (p. 49). Throughout the play, the majority of lines are spoken in prose, not verse. On the other hand, there are several times when a poem or lyric (written by Kalidasa himself) is said by one of the characters, which makes the play seem more poetic and rhythmic. On top of that, most of the voices offstage speak in verse. One believes that the author didnt want to escape the tradition of verse (ie. Ancient greek tragedies), but also wanted his own twist on the form of the language. The theme is difficult for one to put his finger on. One theme is the struggle for one man (Dushyanta) to achieve the love of a woman, but his struggle is in vain as another man (the hermit Durvasas) takes the thoughts from that same woman. Even though it is not a situation where another man steals a womans heart, one believes that perhaps the author wanted to portray the piggery of men and how the competition between men is to be everlasting. Another theme could be that of love at first sight and how it is not only true but a part of life. Either way, the main theme is of troubled, confusing, powerful love and how it can be achieved by two people, even in the most delicate of situations (i.e. A king who has lost his memory and the emotionally sensitive daughter of a nymph). This play is a romantic comedy, and the tone does justice to that genre. There is the romance between the two main characters, and the comedy which is brought out in their situation, their language and the Jester character. Like every romantic comedy today, there is the inevitable dip in the plot which arouses different emotions in its audience (i.e. sadness, anger, confusion). Overall, however, the ending is a happy one, making this play an absolute delight to read. Throughout the play, the audiences response to each action takes them on an emotional rollercoaster. We are swayed to the kings side as he pursues love and romance, and soon we are abruptly changed to Shakuntalas side as she is left alone and in despair. The ups, downs, twist and turns we are taken on as the play shifts from comedy, to romance, and to tragedy, leaves the audience with a meaning-experience: although the ride may be scary, by the end youre in love and willing to do it all over again. This plays theatricality calls for three separate sets: the forest of the ashrama, the palace, and the scenes in front of the curtain. The ashrama should look welcoming, friendly, warm-spirited and nice. In contrast, one believes the palace should be large, intimidating and cold. The scenes in front of the curtain (where Anasuya and Priyamvada pick flowers) need only to have a few greens that symbolize a field, one in which the two friends can explore. This play already has some similar traits to todays movies. For example, Sleepless in Seattle, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, brings us on the journey of two people who are on opposite sides of the country. They know that theyre in love but can never seem to get together because of their location and also their situation (Meg Ryans character has a fiancà ©e). But by the end of the film the lovers are united atop the Empire Sate Building (reminiscent of An Affair to Remember) in what is, inarguably, one of the most romantic scenes captured on film to date. This type of plot has been used more than often in the past few years, so bringing this play into the modern world has already been proven as a success. If one were to make an exact remake of this play with a modern twist, one would only change around a couple things: instead of being a king, Dushyanta could be a member of parliament, possibly a mayor. Also, Shakuntala could be, instead of the  daughter of a nymph and a sage, that of a normal catholic family. Shakuntala is a tale that takes the audience on a meaning-experience journey akin to a roller coaster ride. The ups and downs and twists and turns excel even the gods. It is well deserving of its renown, as is a play that is capable of touching the hearts of any person who has experienced the challenges and rewards that come hand in hand with love. Bibliography:Shakuntala by Kalidasa

Impact Of The Industrial Revolution On New Imperialism

Allison Miller 12/14/2015 McNally P3 â€Å"White man’s burden† or racism? Topic Choice #1: Analyze the impact of the Industrial Revolution on New Imperialism Imperialism is a policy in which a nation seeks to dominate other countries politically, economically and socially. The motives are economics, power, influence, social Darwinism, racism, religious, and humanitarian. The Industrial revolution started when new technologies were able to revolutionize how people live, work, interact, and govern. When coal and steam engines powered new industry people migrated to growing cities to find jobs. The industrial revolution in Great Britain began in 1780 some of the contributing factors were food, population, money, natural resources, free society, ready markets, changes in cotton production, the coal and iron industries, railroads, new factories, and diseases. However, the impact of the Industrial Revolution on New Imperialism needs to be discussed step by step. The Industrial Revolution had a big impact on New Imperialism, with the help and power of new updated weapons countries such as Great Britain were able to dominate the countries that we re slow or had trouble at industrializing. With the help of other updated technologies in the industrial revolution Britain/England were able to take over West Africa, they picked West Africa due to the interest in raw materials such as diamonds, salt, cobalt, uranium, copper, gold, silver, cocoa beans and tea. Many Europeans led toShow MoreRelatedIndustrial Revolution Essay example1295 Words   |  6 PagesThe Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing and technology had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of the world. 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These nations were after raw materials in Asia, Africa, and South America and when they realize that they could not retrieve it, they began to colonize smaller counties that contain the many resources they need and used it for their benefit. Western values played a big part in European imperialism. European civilization experienced a period of extraordinary rapidRead MoreThe Factors Of Economics Was Or Was Not The Primary Reason For British Imperialism1198 Words   |  5 Pagesdiplomacy or military power as imperialism. Imperialism has been the most dominant powerful force in the last four to five centuries in civilization. Imperialism has formed civilizations in entire continents while pushing out the indigenous people and destroying other civi lizations in the meantime. In this case, we look at whether the factors of economics was or was not the primary reason for British Imperialism. Robert Huttenback believed that British Imperialism was a result from economic factor