Tattoos As A Form Of Decoration And Communication

There is a long list of cultures that utilised tattoos as a form of decoration and communication (Swami, 2011). That said, within some western societies, that historical connection to the tattoo is not that strong. However the art of tattooing has seen a steady growth of its popularity and acceptance, and since the early 1990s, that growth has accelerated dramatically (Caplan, 2000; Cash, 2011; DeMello, 2000; Swami, 2011). The current estimated incidence of tattooing amongst the populations of North America and Europe is approximately 25 percent (Laumann Derick, 2006; Swami, 2011), with one researcher suggesting those rates could continue to increase to as much as 40 percent of the population (Anderson, 2006). Tattoos are no longer†¦show more content†¦However, although tattoos are progressively seen as a prosocial rational method of communicating ones identity to others within their societal group and the wider society (Atkinson, 2003), research (e.g. Mun, Janigo Johnson, 2012) is consistently highlighting the possibility that obtaining an tattoo can lead to changes in how tattoo wearers view themselves and their behaviour. Individuals with tattoos transform their skin in to a social billboard, expressing both explicit and implicit aspects of their identity (Atkinson, 2003), using or acquiring tattoos to communicate known attributes about themselves (Livesley Bromley, 1973) or attributes that they do not possess but have a desire (Schouten McAlexander, 1995). For example, riders of Harley Davidson motorcycles may view that brand’s attributes as consistent with their own (actual self) and therefore an individual may decide to acquire a tattoo which is linked to that brand (Schouten McAlexander, 1995). On the other hand, an individual may aspire to be a Harley rider or aspire to link oneself to the traits of the Harley brand, and therefore an individual may obtain a Harley based tattoo to communicate an attribute of their ideal self (Schouten McAlexander, 1995). Mun, Janigo and Johnson (2012) take that idea one step further by suggesting the only reason individuals desire specific tattoos is because

Analysis Of `` Girl `` By Jamaica Kincaid And The Birth Mark

Before analyzing â€Å"Girl† by Jamaica Kincaid and â€Å"The Birth-Mark† by Nathanial Hawthorne, it is important to understand the role that women played in society during the time the short stories were written. In each of the stories the theme relates directly to the expectations that women were held to during that time in history. After reading both of the stories, it is clear that there were several literary elements used to portray the domestic responsibilities of women in society at the time. Analyzing theme, symbols and point of view allowed me to understand how utilizing several different literary devices can make the moral of the story even more understandable. In â€Å"Girl† by Jamaica Kincaid, the mother is adamant that her daughter’s reputation essentially defines the value of her life within society. She endlessly reprimands her daughter for her behavior and persistently mentions the importance of respectability in all facets of her life. I agree with Lauren Czosek in her electronic discussion where she states, I think that her mother is preparing her for her future [. . .] I don t think all this stress of the responsibilities should be thrown at a child, [ . . .] (Czosek). Sexuality, according to the mother’s advice, is something to be veiled and protected in order for her daughter to be considered a valued woman within society. The continuous highlighting of the theme by the mother demonstrates how much it means to her that her daughter understands the roles andShow MoreRelatedLiterary Criticism : The Free Encyclopedia 7351 Words   |  30 Pagesit in 1905.[1] [6] The genre is further characterized by a number o f formal, topical, and thematic features.[7] The term coming-of-age novel is sometimes used interchangeably with Bildungsroman, but its use is usually wider and less technical. The birth of the Bildungsroman is normally dated to the publication of Wilhelm Meister s Apprenticeship by Johann Wolfgang Goethe in 1795–96,[8] or, sometimes, to Christoph Martin Wieland s Geschichte des Agathon of 1767.[9] Although the Bildungsroman arose

Literary Criticism for John Updike AP free essay sample

His father was a school teacher and his mother was an aspiring writer. He excelled in school, and worked for his local newspaper. Updike was granted a scholarship to Harvard, and went on to study at Oxford in England. He was first published in 1958, and released a book of poetry. He continued to be published, and in 1963 he received the National Book Award for his book entitled The Centaur. The next year he became the youngest person ever elected to the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Updike consistently wrote throughout the 60s and 70s. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1981 for his novel Rabbit is Rich, and again in 1991 for Rabbit at Rest. He continued to write into his later years. John Updike died in Massachusetts at the age of 76 due to lung cancer (http://www. achievement. org/autodoc/page/updobio-l). The following series of published literary criticisms focus on John Updikes short story AP. It is one of his more famous short stories. The selected critiques analyze the story in terms of its style, theme, or literary devices. Subsequent to the article responses is a literary criticism based on a personal reflection to the story and its ties to modern society using evidence from the original text. Title of Source: The art of John Updikes AP Author: Toni Saldivar Search Engine: ProQuest Literature Module Website: ProQuest Web Address: http://search. proquest. com. ezproxy. barry. edu Abstract: Toni Saldivars essay entitled, The art of John Updikes AP, is a literary criticism allusions to art in order to increase the romanticism of the story, and that dramatic irony is significant to the construction of the meaning of plot for a reader. The introduction emphasizes the importance of this short story in terms of American literature. The piece was first published in The New Yorker, and therefore assumes that the reader has a certain amount of knowledge that is required to fully appreciate the writing. The next section gives a synopsis of the story and an explanation of the main character, Sammy, a nineteen year old boy. According to Saldivar, the overall focus of the essay is to show how Sammy is not only starting to come to terms with the reality of modern society, but also his own cultural role, including his sexuality. In relation to this assertion, the article argues that the reader can only understand Sammy, and truly enjoy the story if they are able to sense the dramatic irony and romanticism of the plot. The story is full of metaphors, but the most important one is not explicitly written in the original text. The reader is supposed to make the connection between Sammys description of the young girl and Botticellis Venus. The dramatic irony comes from how Sammy is able to allude to things that are beyond his scope of knowledge. He knows there is a world beyond his suburban bubble, but he knows nothing about it. Evaluation of Criticism: This literary criticism is very abstract in nature, but provides strong textual evidence to support its claims. Once it is understood that Updike wrote the story for an intended audience, it makes sense that the plot contains elements that connect to classic art and also relies on subtle dramatic irony. However, the article is long- winded in its explanation of the connection. It provides numerous examples from the original text, and also uses art criticism of the Venus for further evidence. It also repeats its thesis statement in various places and in numerous ways. The driving point is that understanding the allusion to Botticelli, and grasping the elements of Sammy that can only be read between the lines is essential to appreciating the story for all that it is worth. This literary criticism is useful because it illustrates how the arts are connected, in this case, writing and painting. The arts are fluid and can translate between different mediums. The story is considered modern, but the painting is a classic. The character of Sammy is also meant to be relatable, even to future generations. The essay is well researched and soundly written; it is a good example of what a published literary criticism should look like. Title of Source: Irony and Innocence in John Updikes AP Author: Lawrence Jay Dessner Search Engine: Literature Resource Center Website: Gale Web Address: http://go. galegroup. com The critical essay by Lawrence Jay Dessner explains the importance of the themes f irony and innocence in John Updikes short story AP. The essay begins with a short summary of the story, and introduces the character of Sammy. Dessner argues that the story depends on irony. The reader expects a certain action and reaction from Sammy, but instead he does the opposite. This irony provides an innocent air of humor due to Sammys lack of world knowledge and youthful outlook on life. The remainder of this literary criticism analyzes Sammys interactions with the other characters in the book, including the difficult customer, the girls, and the grumpy manager. This particular literary criticism is short, but also very clear. It does not waste time explaining every detail of the plot because it assumes the reader is already familiar with it. The purpose of the essay is to provide a meaning to the story that goes beyond the original text. The argument is that the story relies on the irony and innocence of Sammys character. The author makes his assertions, and provides textual evidence to back up each claim. Although the story itself has a tone of vagueness in terms of its characters, the author of this essay gets very specific when analyzing the meaning behind the characters actions. The arguments in this criticism are concrete, and provide good insight to John Updikes influential story. Title of Source: Sammys Erotic Experience: Subjectivity and Sexual Difference in John Updikes A P Author: Greg W. Bentley The essay begins with an introduction of the story, and a short summary of the plot. This literary criticism reveals its argument right away, and that is that the storys popularity stems from its sexual nature, and that it portrays a feminist message through the perspective of a male. The argument also goes on to say that this message creates a distinct type of irony. The main character of the story, Sammy, has an erotic experience, but it is not inappropriate, simply a rite of passage. Citing an expert in feminism, the author argues that men and women are not very physically different in terms of sexuality, but are biologically different. Textual evidence is also used to prove this claim. The essay points out that Sammys struggle comes from the reactions of the other men in the story. The other men provide an example of conventional masculinity, but Sammy has his own feelings and opinions of women that differ from the other men. The article focuses on the sexuality and eroticism of he story, but makes sure to present these themes in an intellectual and healthy way. Greg W. Bentleys critical essay takes a controversial theme of Updikes short story, introduce and explain the feminist theories that are essential to essays argument. Citing a credible expert and using evidence from the original text make the essay easy to follow and understand. At first glance the essay may seem abstract, but to the contrary, it is very realistic. This literary criticism points out that America responds to sex. The setting of this short story is a microcosm in the macrocosm that is American ulture, and sex plays a large role in that culture. This piece also explains the difference between girls and women by using the girls in the story as an example. Updike wrote this story during a time of great change in American culture; things were loosening up. Sex was something that was once never spoken about, but now is accepted as a rite of passage. The author is right in saying that sex appeals to Americans, that is what makes this story so relevant to even the modern reader. Works Cited Bentley, Greg W.. Sammys Erotic Experience: Subjectivity and Sexual Difference in John Updikes A P. Journal of the Short Story In English 43 (2004): 121-141. Gale Group.

A Personal Experience In The Arts Essay Example For Students

A Personal Experience In The Arts Essay Earlier this year, I attended a concert at Newcastle City Hall featuring a two hour performance by The Herbie Hancock Quartet. The quartet comprised of a drummer, a double bassist, a xylophonist and Hancock himself on piano. I enjoy listening to a wide range of musical styles and find jazz particularly pleasurable and interesting as it often avoids the predictable and repetitious nature of many other types of music. Before going to the concert I was not overly familiar with Hancockis music; only one of the tunes he performed that night was one I had heard before. The set consisted of a selection of music spanning Hancocks 40 year career, although, as he himself explained, some of the works had been itwisted to give them a more modern perspective. There was a sense of anticipation building in the air as the hall filled with people of all ages. The music began slowly and gently before gradually mounting in pace and intensity. I remember a feeling of weightlessness, as if I was floating, carried along by the music. As the intensity of the music grew so did the feelings of anticipation, sometimes becoming a kind of anxiety, my breathing slowing down, waiting for what will come next. I was naturally expecting the music to reach some kind of crescendo, that it was building up toward some kind of spectacular conclusion. I was quite disorientated when instead the music suddenly broke off into a gentle, flowing melody. Rather than the huge conclusion and fall back to earth I had expected, I found myself exhilarated and floating again, but higher this time, as if lifted up by the music. It wasni t until the music was winding down and the people in the hall began to applaud that I began to remember where I was. I had been so drawn into the music that I had largely forgotten my surroundings and that was only the first tune. By the end of the concert I was feeling quite giddy and worn out. It is without doubt that the music played that night evoked quite powerful feelings in me. Each tune was like a journey of sensations and emotions directed by the music. How had Hancock managed this? Did he just sit down at his piano and plonk away until something he liked came out? Unlikely, the music and its effects were too intricate and explicit to put down to luck and random chance. Hancock had obviously taken great care in writing and arranging his music in order to achieve this effect. Why? Music is obviously his livelihood but this was not the music of someone making a living, he was almost certainly pursuing something other, perhaps something more, than financial gain. As I have discussed above, Hancock didni t find these feelings in the music, it seems more likely that he already had these feelings. Perhaps they were feelings he was experiencing at the time of writing the tunes, or something from his past. Either way he was using the music to externalise the feelings, to express them in a way that he knew how, shaping the music to convey his internal experiences. Listening to the music that night sometimes took a fair amount of concentration on my part. From time to time I would find myself drifting away with the feelings evoked by the music, going off on my own little journey of sensations. How does this fit in with the notion of Hancock trying to convey his feelings with the music? It could just be lack of attention on my part or it could be a failure by Hancock to provide sufficiently gripping music that demands our attention. .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea , .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .postImageUrl , .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea , .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea:hover , .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea:visited , .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea:active { border:0!important; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea:active , .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u71da8ac75d98989dd09ca809d2c06cea:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience EssayIt is equally possible that he intended certain passages of his music to stimulate our own imaginations and act as a background as we explore our own feeling and emotions. Another interesting question arises from the fact that Hancock had changed some of his music from its original composition. He said that he had i twistedi some of his older tunes in order to modernise them. If his aim is to express the same feelings as in the original music, then why change it? Perhaps he does want to express a different feeling from the original. It is more likely however, that in order to convey the same meaning or feelings to a modern audience he has to use a more modern, or at least different, style of expression. The music that he wrote thirty or forty years ago has been much imitated and borrowed from by other artists. These other artists have used it to convey their own message and some of the musical styles have become clichd and so the original meaning of the music is confused, diluted or lost altogether. I believe it is the purpose of most (if not all) art to evoke sensations or emotions in the audience. More often than not, these feelings will stem from an experience of the artist which he or she then tries to communicate to the audience. Verbal communication is usually the first and foremost means of interaction for people trying to exchange ideas or feelings but this can be a very restricted way of trying to articulate our experiences, especially in the emotional realm. The use of music or other art forms can give the artist a much wider range of methods and tools with which to express themselves, free from grammatical rules and dictionary definitions. The only limit to self-expression in the arts is the artists imagination. The drawback to this freedom is that these methods of communication are more open to interpretation and this can often lead to the artist being misunderstood, losing out on the very clarity they seek. I am certain however that my descriptions of Hancocki s performance cannot hope to come close to conveying the feelings evoked by his music that night; he is obviously a man who has mastered his chosen method of communication and so is able to fulfil his purpose.

Study Guideline Essay Example

Study Guideline Essay How to write your study plan You are more than just a grade report sheet, and the study plan section of your application is your chance to tell us about yourself. Personal statements are not easy to write, and require substantial planning. Entry to Tsukuba is highly competitive, so spending time on writing the best personal statement possible is important. Plan We’re interested in why you chose this course, at Tsukuba, and Japan. Ask yourself; Why did I choose to study this major? Why are you interested in this subject? Is there a specific topic within this field which interests you? Have you studied this before? What do you expect from the program and from the university? Are you aiming to become qualified for a specific job? Why did I choose Tsukuba, rather than another G30 university? Have you investigated the other G30 universities? What was it that attracted you to Tsukuba specifically? Why do I want to study in Japan? Do you have some special attachment to Japan or Japanese culture? What are my long-term goals, and how does studying in Tsukuba help me reach those goals? Do you want to go on to a Masters degree or PhD? Do you want to work in Japan after graduation? We will write a custom essay sample on Study Guideline specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Study Guideline specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Study Guideline specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer What makes me a stand-out candidate? Do you have some special skills or passions which make you a more interesting person? What personal qualities do you possess which make you a good choice for this program? Write Drafts You should have a lot of information on paper by now. That information has to be organised and a draft (or two or three) of your study plan will have to be written. Use separate paragraphs for separate sections, and try to impose a logical structure on your writing. Think carefully about how you want to structure your personal statement. Try to be concise when writing your study plan. The use of concrete examples can help you express yourself clearly. We appreciate that English is some applicants’ second language. However, please try your best not to make spelling errors and use correct grammar and punctuation. Keep your sentences short and simple. Get Feedback Finally, when you’ve written your draft, we suggest giving it a few days and re-reading it. Ask for teachers, parents or friends to read it over and give honest feedback. Give yourself plenty of time to work through numerous versions of your draft, until you are completely happy.

Why Using Imaginary Essay Topics Is Great For Your Paper

Why Using Imaginary Essay Topics Is Great For Your PaperImaginary essay topics are often thought of as the top three or top five papers in schools and colleges. But have you ever considered all the other great topics that are equally as important and useful for those students who are looking to put their writing skills to the test.Because there are so many different topics to choose from, it's really easy to write one of the best essays on the topic you feel is most important. But that can be quite challenging for most students, but it doesn't have to be. With just a little research, you can find hundreds of excellent topics that will provide students with the knowledge and confidence that they need to be successful.One of the reasons why so many students fail to write a paper on an imaginary topic is because they do not know what exactly the topic is. They think that because the topic is imaginary, it cannot be good enough. If you've ever tried to write a paper about politics or eco nomics, you'll agree that these subjects are quite impossible to put into a standard essay.In reality, there are a lot of ways to answer the main point of the essay. Some topics are more interesting than others, so to speak, and if you spend some time doing some research, you'll find a few topics that will provide you with lots of ideas and insights that will make the main point of the paper sound very interesting.The main topic can also be based around a social event. Students love using their imagination when it comes to events that they might have been involved in and learning about a topic like this can give them a chance to showcase their unique personality, which can be quite inspiring to many.Another thing that students tend to overlook when trying to come up with the big idea for the paper is the time they have to write it. This does not mean that they will not use their creativity and imagination, it just means that they might be a little bit more realistic about their abil ity to write the paper.In fact, the most common reason why students can't put together a great paper on the topic they chose is because they're a little bit short on time to write. And what happens when you don't have the time to write?Easy! The right subject that will actually get the attention of a large number of people is out there waiting for you to find it.

Woodrow Wilson & WWI essays

Woodrow Wilson & WWI essays Wilsons torment in deciding whether to send U.S. troops into WWI. It is well known among reasonably informed students of American history that Woodrow Wilson resisted getting American forces involved in World War I, right up to and after the time when British ships with Americans on board were sunk by German submarines in October and November of 1916. But it may not be widely known that during the time the U.S. involvement in the war became more and more imminent, Wilsons relationship with England was very sour, according to author Arthur Walworth (Walworth 70). One big reason the British were upset with Wilson was that he hadnt done enough to cut Germany off from credit in the world community. It was 1916, an election year, and Wilsons mind was on winning a second term, along with his belief that America should remain neutral in the expanding war in Europe. His essential duty, as he saw it, Walworth writes on page 70, was to maintain faith with a people who rejoiced because he had kept them out of war and at the same time to rescue humanity from the scourge of international conflict. He saw his constitutional duty to intervene and attempt to stop the war prior to getting Americans involved in it. But though the British and the Germans were hounding Wilson to attempt a diplomatic resolution of the conflict, he held fast until after the election in November. After he was elected, he believed that the American people voted for him because he escaped involvement in the war something worth living and dying for and now it was his duty to be a broker for peace (Walworth 71-72), if at all possible. It was now December, and Germany was threatening to unleash its submarines in January (Walworth 74), if some kind of armistice or peace deal was cut before then. Wilson had just released his own idea for what later would become the League ...