How Does Steinbeck Present Of Mice And Men - 1644 Words

How Does Steinbeck Present Curley’s Wife in Of Mice And Men? Of Mice and Men is a morale motivated novel that allows Steinbeck to voice his opinion about the hardships and issues of the 1930’s and the Great Depression. One of the main issues Steinbeck explores in great detail is sexism and the character that is used to channel the attitude towards women most is Curley’s Wife, the only female to appear in person in the entire novella. However, his representation of this character and how she compares to other females mentioned may give a false and unfair representation of women during the era. During the 1930’s it seems that women were expected to behave in a certain manner or portray themselves in a certain way by conforming to stereotypes. According to Steinbeck in this novella, there seem to be three main types of women in the 1930’s: a feminine woman (like the girl in Weed); a motherly woman (like Aunt Clara) and a wanton woman (Suzy from the whore house). As Curley’s wife was rejected from a more femini ne lifestyle after never receiving a letter from a man who promised her stardom, it’s possible that she decided to try a more motherly mind set by marrying Curley. However, it soon becomes clear that she is not the mothering type when she insults the workers by saying that they’re â€Å"a bunch of bindle stiffs, a n***** an’ a dum-dum and a lousy ol’ sheep†. By declaring this, Steinbeck’s portrayal of Curley’s wife changes from a flirt or a â€Å"tart† who is unsatisfied withShow MoreRelatedHow Does John Steinbeck Present Crooks in of Mice and Men Essay810 Words   |  4 PagesHow does John Steinbeck present the character of Crooks? In the novel Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck, the author, uses the character of Crooks to represent racism and symbolize the marginalization of the black community occurring at the time in which the novel is set. Crooks is significant as he provides an insight into the reality of the American Dream and the feelings of all the ranchers: their loneliness and need for company and human interaction. Crooks got his name from his crookedRead MoreHow Does John Steinbeck Present the Theme of Violence in Of Mice and Men?1277 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿How does Steinbeck present the theme of violence in ‘Of Mice and Men’? John Steinbeck’s short novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ presents the desolate nature of 1930s America, in particular Soledad, close to where Steinbeck himself grew up and worked during this time. Notably, Steinbeck focuses on the life of migrant workers who were forced to travel from ranch to ranch in search of work as a result of the simultaneous occurring disasters ‘The Great Depression’ and ‘The Dustbowl’. Due to the economic crisisRead MoreHow Does Steinbeck Present The Bunkhouse And Its Inhabitants in Of Mice and Men?795 Words   |  3 PagesFirstly, Steinbeck presents the inhabitants of the bunkhouse to be trapped. The bunkhouse is described as â€Å"a long rectangular building† It is seen as a jail-like place where the occupants of the ranch are trapped in; this symbolises that all hope is near to gone. It is also as if the migrant workers are trapped from their dreams and they have no place to go. The small square windows† sh ows how their lives are simple and that they have no escape and no freedom. It is also as if cutting off the lightRead MoreHow Does Steinbeck Present Attitudes To Women In His Novel, Of Mice and Men1076 Words   |  4 PagesJohn Steinbeck uses different methods to present Curley’s Wife and women in the 1930s. Throughout the novella Steinbeck represents women to be lower in society than men. In the novella women only have three different roles. A wife, an aunt and prostitutes. Steinbeck uses these roles to show the roles of women in society. Curley’s wife, Aunt Clara and Susy and Clara from the cathouse represent he microcosm of the women in American society. The first woman that Steinbeck describes in the book is Lennie’sRead MoreHow Does Steinbeck Present the Plight of the Minorities in 1930’s America Within of Mice and Men?1320 Words   |  6 Pagestime minority groups had no standing within society. Steinbeck; in his book Of Mice and Men, presents the common minority groups within society in 1930’s America and how they were forced to live their lives. The book references four characters that all represent different groups seen as minorities at the time that the book is set. This essay will follow the characters in the book and explore how and why they found themselves as minorities and how this ultimately changed the characters lives. Read MoreHow Does Steinbeck Present the Theme of Loneliness Through Curleys Wife in of Mice and Men? - Notes1801 Words   |  8 Pages+ The story Of Mice and Men is set in Salinas by the Salinas River - where George and Lennie spend the night after escaping from their previous ranch in weed – just south of Soledad. The theme of loneliness runs throughout the book and I will be exploring how Steinbeck presents this theme through the character of Curley’s wife. Many of the characters are lonely, and seek different ways to find comfort, for Candy it is his dog, this is why he finds it so hard to let him go during chapter 3 â€Å"The oldRead Moreof Mice and Men. How Does Steinbeck Present Curley’s Wife to the Reader? What Is Her Importance in the Novel?1939 Words   |  8 PagesOf Mice and Men- Curley’s wife. How does Steinbeck present Curley’s wife to the reader? What is her importance in the novel? In order to discuss how Steinbeck presents Curley’s wife to the reader one would determine that many readers would interpret her character and importance in many diversified ways. In this essay, one must elaborate on Steinbeck’s true definition of the one and only female in the novel. First and foremost other females in the novel are mentioned but not greeted with a presenceRead MoreHow Does Steinbeck Present Curley’s Wife in â€Å"of Mice and Men†? Discuss Her Significance in the Novel.817 Words   |  4 PagesIn the novel â€Å"Of Mice and Men† John Steinbeck tells a story of dreams, hopes and loneliness. We are introduced to a majorly significant and complex Character, named Curley’s wife. Steinbeck shows us that Curley’s wife is flirtatious, mischievous but most of all an isolated character. She plays a main part in the novel; in doing this she displays and presents many of the main themes. Before we are presented to Curley’s wife, Candy talks about her, to George and Lennie. She is spoken about in aRead MoreJohn Steinbeck Once Said of Curley’s Wife, ‘She’s a Nice Girl, Not a Floozy’. How Does Steinbeck Present Curley’s Wife in ‘of Mice and Men’?1577 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Steinbeck once said of Curley’s wife, ‘She’s a nice girl, not a floozy’. How does Steinbeck present Curley’s wife in ‘Of Mice and Men’? In this essay I will show how Steinbeck presents Curley’s wife in a number of ways throughout the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’, showing both how she is portrayed as a ‘nice girl’ as well as a ‘floozy’. This novel was set during the great depression and is written around two key themes of the American dream, which every ‘ranch hand’ owned their own patch of landRead MoreGeorge And Lennie Relationship Analysis871 Words   |  4 PagesIn the novella Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck, the relationship between Lennie Small and George Milton is complex. Lennie and George are two companions who look for work and brave the hardships of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression together. Although Lennie and George are both grown men, their relationship resembles more of a child and a single parent, or a boy and his dog. Lennie is portrayed as animalistic and childish through his behavior and Steinbeck’s comparisons. This reveals the crucial

The Poetry Of Sylvia Plath - 1811 Words

Sylvia Plath is often described as a feminist poet who wrote about the difficulties women faced before womens right were a mainstream idea. From reading her poetry, it is quite obvious that Plaths feminism is extremely important to her, but she also wrote about a lot of day to day experiences and made them significant through her use of literary devices such as metaphors and symbols. Plath may also be best known for her autobiographical poetry written in a confessional style that appeared during the 1950s. She is considered a very important poet of the post-World War II era. She became widely known following her suicide in 1963 (Bawer). Through Sylvia Plaths poetry, readers are able to get a glimpse into her personal life. The†¦show more content†¦Although once Plath had gotten older she moved to England, certainly her time in Winthrop affected her life and poetry. Her father, Otto Plath, was a German professor of Biology, an entomologist, and also authored a book about bee s; which would later become the subject of many of Plaths later poems. Her mother, Aurelia Plath was pursuing a career in teaching when she met Sylvias father. At the age of eight, Sylvia Plath published her first poem, her father would die in Winthrop, that same year. This would be the start of her lifelong career as a poet. Plath lived and wrote in the 1950s through the 1960s in both America and England (Bawer). As a modern period poet and feminist, growing up during WWII, some of Plaths work was directly related to the issues that were developing in society at the time. After WWII, societies were often characterized by strict gender norms. Women were expected to remain safely in their homes, with being a wife and a mother as their ultimate joy and goal. Art and expression became away from women to escape the everyday pressures of society. The poem The Applicant gives a glimpse of how Plath personally felt about women‘s rights and also touched on male dominance in her marriage. Through the poem, Plath shows the struggles of young women who are taught by society to pursue marriage and feel their worth only comes from their physical beauty. The poem beginsShow MoreRelatedThe Poetry of Sylvia Plath734 Words   |  3 PagesSylvia Plaths poetry roots from her harsh life long battle with heart break, death, and depression. It is clear by her work, that life was a daily struggle for this poet. In the research of her poetry, i found one poem in particular that really interested me. My main focus was the poem Mirror. The narrator of this poem is a wall mirror. At first glance, the mirror appears to be human, based off of its qualities and descriptions. The mirror has the ability to recognize things, such as the smallRead MoreAnalysis Of Poetry By Sylvia Plath1374 Words   |  6 PagesPoetry to some is the frustration of a riddle that cannot be solved. To others, it is the joy one feels while solving the same riddle. A writer has the power to convey certain themes and ideas within a poem in a span of one line or a hundred lines. They can create the tone for the poem with the help of a single word, or a comma placed in the correct spot. With the use of figures of speech such as metaphor, a writer can give the reader images and compare different ideas that have similar qualitiesRead MoreSylvia Plath Poetry Analysis1301 Words   |  6 PagesWright, Sylvia Plath and Emily Dickenson all express their views on life and death, however, do so in varying manners. Through imagery, Wright and Plath both consider life’s beginnings, however, Wright considers it to be a beautiful gift, whereas Plath views birth as an empty burden. Subsequently, through structure Dickenson and Wright each acknowledge life, expressing how in some cases it is difficult, yet in other circumstances it is celebrated. Finally, through tone, Dickenson and Plath conveyRead MoreMy Writing Poetry By Sylvia Plath1106 Words   |  5 Pagesporing over. Spoken word poetry gave me the courage to express myself. Growing up, I had always been shy and awkward. In school, I would rather spend my time daydreaming than talking to classmates. When I was forced to socialize, whether it be by teachers or my parents, it was usually met with stammering, sweat and downturned eyes. As a result, I had trouble expressing myself and would suppress my emotions. However, that changed when I began writing poetry. My interest in poetry began in middle schoolRead MoreConfessional Poetry in The Word by Sylvia Plath Essay777 Words   |  4 PagesPoetry Essay What sets apart the poetic style of both modernism and postmodernism is that both attempted to diverge from the traditional proses of 19th century, specifically, from realism. Both also tend to form around the philosophy of subjectivity as both explore the inner emotions of characters and thus use it to develop ideas and conceptions in the reader’s mind. Experimentation is present is both modernist and postmodernist works; however, it takes on a central role in postmodern works andRead MoreSylvia Plath s Poetry And Her Sanity1075 Words   |  5 PagesSylvia Plath was an American Poet who was renowned for poetry mostly in the United States. She, however lived a difficult and depressing life which led to a few futile suicide attempts, but ultimately led to a successful suicide attempt leaving her children to live on without a mother. This end result was due to a multitude of issues in her life from Sylvia’s sanity. She wasn’t the most stable child. Her marriage a lso played a role in her suicide. Her successes weren’t acclaimed until after her deathRead MorePsychoanalytically Analyzing the Poetry of Sylvia Plath Essay1846 Words   |  8 PagesThe poetry of Sylvia Plath can be interpreted psychoanalytically. Sigmund Freud believed that the majority of all art was a controlled expression of the unconscious. However, this does not mean that the creation of art is effortless; on the contrary it requires a high degree of sophistication. Works of art like dreams have both a manifest content (what is on the surface) and latent content (the true meaning). Both dreams and art use symbolism and metaphor and thus need to be interpreted to understandRead MorePoetry Is Not Turning Loose From Emotion, By Sylvia Plath Essay1092 Words   |  5 PagesEvaluation Essay Poetry is not turning loose from emotion, rather it is an escape from emotion. It is a chance to be out of your body and express feelings from a third person perspective. Poetry is a surplus of emotion and power that is taken to paper to share with those who can relate. When you have nothing to say or don’t know how to say it – it is poetry. It can be as simple as explaining an ocean set landscape, to as complicated as explaining how you feel from the inside out. Sylvia Plath effectivelyRead MoreEssay on The Dark Life and Confessional Poetry of Sylvia Plath2207 Words   |  9 Pagespoets, who brought with them a new type of perspective within their poetry. These poets—especially those who wrote confessional poetry—established their poetry in a single, unified voice that accentuated intimate human topics such as death, sexuality, and family. An important contributor to contemporary and confessional poetry was Sylvia Plath, who employed personal aspects of her life into her style of confessional poetry. Plath suffered from a deep depression that influenced her to often write inRead MoreThe Theme of Death in Poetry by Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath918 Words   |  4 PagesDeath is a prevalent theme in the poetry of both Sylvia Plath and Emily Dickinson. They both examine death from varied angles. There are many similarities as well as differences in the representation of this theme in their poetry. Plath views death as a sinister and intimidating end, while Dickinson depicts death with the endearment of romantic attraction. In the poetry of Plath death is depicted traditionally, while Dickinson attributes some mysticism to the end of life. In the poem Two

A History of Arabian Music Free Essays

Henry G. Farmer illuminating book â€Å"A History of Arabian Music† seeks to provide readers with insight of the historical influences that shaped Arabian music and the culture that nourished and gave rise to variances and interpretations dealing with the theory of music and the practices that further consolidated and supported these theories. The book was published originally in 1929 and covers musical work over several centuries. We will write a custom essay sample on A History of Arabian Music or any similar topic only for you Order Now The book starts with the factors that helped to shaped Arabian music culture. These include political and social factors which were instrumental in shaping Arabian music theory. The book starts with a look at the â€Å"Days of Idolatry† in the 6th century (Farmer, 1929). According to Farmer, this was a time which was referred to by Muslims as â€Å"Days of ignorance† based of the fact that at that time much of the knowledge relating to Arabian civilization and the attending economical, political and cultural practices, was lost. Farmer argues that there were many musical instruments in this Islamic time, whose development were linked to Southern Arabians and these instruments include Mi’Zaf (Barbiton) and the Kus (A Large Kettledrum) (Farmer, 1929). Factors Migration of people from the southern region to Al Hijaz resulted in a melting pot of the Arts and musicians and poets flourished and shared their talents with others. Farmer also stated that the Musicians and poets in Ukaz competed fiercely for ascendency in their respective arts and this may have helped to shaped the music of the times. Farmers reports that singing girls were famous during that time and musicians gained further recognition from singing at the courts (Farmer, 1929). The author states that during the time of Idolatry, music was found in all areas of society; and pervaded, religious, public and private lives. Arabians were known to sing while at work and play and they often express joy by enagaging in music. Dispite the many musicians and singers of that time, only a few names have been preserved for modern society. Farmer states that with the advent of Islam during the time of Mohammed the Prophet and subsequent to his death, legists have been debating if music was lawful although there is no reference in the Quran as to any opposition. Farmer argue that the opposition to music may have developed by those theologians who decryed the attention being paid to music and popular musicians of the time (Farmer, 1929). Arabian music would also be influence by the Khalif, Mu’awiya who during his reign in the 7th century eventually gave recognition and a present to a musician in his court and this was in direct contrast to what were popular expressions of disapproval of musicians at the time. Yazid II (720-24) a ruler, was also said to have been instrumental in bringing back music to the courts and public life because he enjoyed the arts Farmer illuminatingly states that eventually during what he termed the â€Å"Orthodox Khalifate† there arose serious competition between the musicians of two major Arabian cities; Mecca and Al Medina and he argues that it was Mecca that gave the Arabians the musician Ibn Misjah who was stated to be the first schooled person in Arabian music. Farmer stated that Arabian music was influenced by both Greek and Persian musicians and composers and the Greek influence gained ascendancy with the work of Greek theorists such as Ptolemy, Aristoxenos and Euklid prominently taking center stage to shape Arabian music. Farmer also looks at two Khalifs who were avid supporters of music and these were Al-Amir (1101-1131) and Al-Musta’H (1094-1101). Farmer argues that the later Khalifs helped to support and shape musical development and enjoyment. In Farmers’ eyes the development and growth in appreciation of music in the Arabian culture was not without opposition and controversy. In his eyes, and based on his research, it was the Khalifs, especially those from the 8th to the 12th centuries that brought back music to public and private lives and encouraged a growing appreciation of this art form. He viewed the work of the great philosopher, Al-Ghazali, as being enormously influential pertaining to musical development and cites the Principal of the Two Nizamiyya colleges in Baghdad and Nisapur as being one who came out in defense of the music. Farmer has been able to shed light on a period in Arabian history that shows how music development evolved and developed and the forces that acted to restrain the emergence of musical theory. His book shows the triumph of those who overcame adversity and opposition to music in public and private citing religious teachings and the book ends with a look at the work and lives of those who actively sought to make music a part of daily lived of Arabians. Farmers work shows that the development of the music did not happen overnight, but was a result of centuries of struggle and erudite contemplations. No single individual can lay claim to the developing theories of music for the Arabian people and the development was due to a multitude of music lovers who defended the art and practices and eventually left a rich heritage. References Farmer, H. G. (1929). A History of Arabian Music. Luzac. How to cite A History of Arabian Music, Papers

Male Gaze in Vertigo free essay sample

Section I Images of Women in Film Dr. Judith Lancioni 07, February 2012 Male Gaze in Vertigo Several film theorists have used a variety of tactics and view points to analyze feature films since their inception. One of the most prominent theorists of those that analyze films from a feminist perspective is Laura Mulvey. Mulvey is famous for her essay â€Å"Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema,† which presents an array of theories involving the treatment of women in films. Arguably the most notable idea presented in Mulvey’s work is the existence of the â€Å"male gaze† in films. This essay will examine Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze in relation to Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Vertigo. Vertigo does not fit the criteria of a film that embodies Mulvey’s â€Å"male gaze† because of three key elements, the presentation of the Midge character, the flashback scene, and the conscious submission of Judy’s character to the wishes of Scottie. Before these elements of the film can be related to the â€Å"male gaze,† it is imperative to understand the theory behind the gaze according to Laura Mulvey. The male gaze is a theory which states that most films are shown from the point of view of a white, middle-class male. That includes the complete objectification of women into sex objects. This includes scenes that accentuate the curves of a woman’s body, or focus heavily on her breasts. Women are also seen as figures that rely on the man to get by in the male gaze, which means they are void of all qualities which could â€Å"castrate† the male or leave him in a situation where he does not have the power in the relationship between them. It also stays out of the women’s point of view and does not reveal her thoughts or perceptions in relation to any of the male’s actions, the gaze purports that the films focus on the male and his point of view, while merely objectifying the women. Now that the male gaze has been sufficiently explained, it can be clarified how the aforementioned elements contained in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo do not comply with Mulvey’s theory. The first element to examine within the film is the presentation of Barbara Bel Geddes’ character, Midge Wood. Midge is not presented as a sexual object for Scottie in any way. In actuality, the male gaze may be somewhat satirized in this film by the fact that Midge designs brasseries for a living, yet she is not a sexual exploit or sexually driven at all in this film. Midge also contradicts the male gaze because she is placed in a position of power over Scottie, as he goes to her to deal with his vulnerabilities regarding acrophobia in the beginning of the film. Midge’s position of power over Scottie is further affirmed as she refers to herself as â€Å"mother† multiple times in the film. An example is seen when Scottie mentions seeming lost in the mental hospital and Midge replies â€Å"You’re not lost, Mothers here. † Scottie’s acceptance of this represents a castration affect not typical to the male gaze, as well as the extremely atypical acceptance of a female in power in a film by a lead male. This presentation of Midge in Vertigo demonstrates a variance from Mulvey’s view of female characters in accordance with the male gaze. Another scene in the movie does this by allowing us into the mind of a female character and giving us information before even Scottie obtains it. The aforementioned scene is a flashback that occurs after Scottie’s first encounter with Judy in her apartment. During this flashback, the viewer is exposed to Judy’s actual thought process and frame of mind. The viewer is provided with key information, the fact that Judy is Madeleine, which even Scottie does not yet know. This occurrence is unique because it creates a dichotomy with the male gaze, since Judy is much more than an object of sexual desire. Judy becomes an active part of the â€Å"lens† through which the viewer sees the film, making it almost transcend into a female gaze for this brief period. This one scene is a clear example which shows the male gaze does not remain constantly present throughout this film. The character of Judy herself can easily represent the stereotype that the male gaze portrays for women in film. She is changed by Scottie throughout the second half of the film to resemble Madeleine, which feeds Scottie’s obsession and objectifies her. This change, however, can also be used to show a gap in the male gaze within the film due to one line uttered by Judy at the end of the film. When Judy and Scottie arrive at the top of the church and he confronts her, Judy says â€Å"I wanted you to change me because†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The key part of this statement is Judy’s assertion that she allowed Scottie to change her. If this situation was to remain typical of the male gaze, she would simply have changed because Scottie was in control. It would have been what he wished and it would have happened without a defense or explanation because she would simply be an object for his pleasure. Judy stating that she allowed the change to happen for a reason shatters that idea. Her suggestion that she allowed the changes to occur for her benefit actually puts her in a position of power. Although it may have seemed as though Scottie was changing her and getting his every wish, Judy claims that she submitted to this changes willingly, because she wanted him to know who she was. If the viewer assumes this claim is true, then Judy manipulated Scottie and played his own obsession against him. This does not fall within the scope of Mulvey’s male gaze, as that would see the female manipulated by the male without retort or reasoning. Laura Mulvey’s ideas and rationales put forth in her theory of the male gaze are widely accepted and referenced when studying the roles of women in film. However, the gaze cannot be a blanket theory applied to all films, as some simply do not fit the criteria it lays forth. The presentation of Midge, the flashback scene, and the conscious submission of Judy’s character to the wishes of Scottie illustrate that Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo is one of those films.