...The Makings of an Outsider To be an outsider is to be isolated from a particular society and forced to look on as a detached third party without the ability to merge as an integrated and accepted participant. While the outsider identity may be thrust upon the individual, the individual himself/herself may hinder his/her assimilation and therefore be the cause of his/her own isolation. In both Margaret Atwood’s poem collection Journals of Susanna Moodie and Maria Campbell’s narrative poem, “Jacob,” protagonists Susanna Moodie and Jacob struggle as outsiders in their respective Canadian environments. Both protagonists are outsiders as Moodie is an outsider to the wildlife environment of the Bush and Jacob is an outsider to his Indigenous community; however, Moodie’s outsider status is a result of her personal fear of the unfamiliar, while external societal forces create Jacob’s outsider identity. Both outsider identities, while differing in causation, illustrate the negative impact Western ideology has on the new settler and Indigenous populations as the former’s preconditioned Western beliefs turn Canada’s natural environment into an adversary and the latter is pressed to abandon its unique cultural traditions. Through strategic word choice, both Susanna Moodie and Jacob are established as outsiders in their respective natural and social environments; however Moodie’s personal barriers cause her outsider identity, while Jacob’s outsider status is forced upon him by societal...
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...Society is a community of people and being part of a community means being part of a family. Family means no one gets left out, but that does not happen. People are treated differently not only in real life but also in stories. An example in real life is discrimination, it is still around today and people are still affected by it. In the book, The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham, people are discriminated and banished from society because they are not considered “normal” by their beliefs. Throughout the years, many people suffered discrimination because they are different than those around them. These people felt that they never belonged, but rather an outsider to society. An example today is Middle Eastern people, people assume that every Middle Eastern person is a terrorist. Particularly with the events relating to ISIS, individuals have become more assuming and judgmental of others. Another example is the act of discrimination against gay/lesbian people. There had been events of businesses refusing to associate with gay/lesbian couples, which concluded in businesses paying fines to the...
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...Does Shakespeare reinforce or question contemporary attitudes to cultural outsiders in 'Othello' and The Merchant of Venice? In the plays the Merchant of Venice and Othello, Shakespeare explores the effects of racial oppression and attitudes to race in general. The idea of cultural outsiders is one of the main themes present in the plays. 'Culture' is the customs and social behaviour of particular groups of people and societies and an outsider is a person who does not belong in a particular situation, organisation or community. This definition relates to both Othello and Shylock as throughout the play we see them as victims of prejudice and injustice because of their cultural differences. In the play Othello, Shakespeare expresses the culture outsider, Othello himself in this instance. As a moor. The term Moor means a person or persons of an African descent. During the renaissance time period there were various stigmas attached to 'moors' and other cultural outsiders. Leo Africanus wrote a book named 'the history and description of Africa (1526)' where he portrayed Moors as being extremely prideful. 'Subject unto Jealousy; who would rather lose their lives than put up any disgrace on behalf of the women.' This is ironic and would lead one to believe Shakespeare reinforced Africanus' ideology in the tragic ending of Othello. Shakespeare also reinforces contemporary attitudes to Jews through the protagonist Shylock. During the 1600’s Jews were extremely disliked and according...
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...The Concept of the Outsider Literature often persecutes the most vulnerable, a person who lacks support and therefore power within society. Described by Terry Eagleton for The Guardian as the “literary mainstream”; these characters are often referred to as the Outsider due to their exclusion from the community in which the text is set. The characters who are referred to as Outsiders can be portrayed in different ways; their initial exclusion from society can ultimately lead to a narrative of their acquisition of power throughout the text but similarly, can portray a story of their maintenance of the minimal power they have over the course of the text’s plot. However, this is not to argue that some Outsiders presented within literature do not have power over the course of the development of the text so, as a consequence, remain excluded from the society. In this case, the text would then be considered an exposition of the character’s experience from their position in society rather than the author’s attempt of trying to integrate their character into society through their work. Furthermore, the author themselves may be considered an Outsider through their own status in society; they command their readers to be Outsiders themselves within the novel. As well as to read and observe the narrative in order to emulate the same feeling within themselves, within the reader or to have a specific impact on the issues surrounding humanity at the time. The contrast in the ways in which...
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...The reason expose by the government of Peru for being prohibit establishing contact with the Mashco Clan is that they are to weak to be around outsiders. By weak they mean that the Mashco Clan immune system can’t handle the contact with outsiders. They can get easily sick and die by something as simple as a command cold. However, the government has no control over the people contacting the clan. People tend to not care much what the government of Peru say when it come to the subject of getting in contact with the Mashco clan because it’s believe that there is no consequences if the contact is made. Even though staying in isolation is one of the qualities of the clan. It seen like they don’t need much help since they are doing a very good job at keeping people away for themselves. However, recently they been reaching out to the outside world. Members of the surrounding churches, tourists and even some people that live near by have been giving them gift; most of the time those gifts consist of food and clothing. Members of organizations that believe in protecting the Clan are asking the government to do a better job at keeping outsiders out of the clan way, but it’s unknown if the government will ever take drastic measures to better protect the Mashco people. Their health will be in danger if changes are not...
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...Insiders/Outsiders The religions of division; some see those who belong to a specific religion as having somewhat of an us versus them mentality thus creating an insiders and outsiders situation as the byproduct of such an atmosphere; this is often the result of any community of people who chose to categorize the population into those who belong to the group from those who don’t. In every religion, that has a law attached to it, there are certain rules and regulations you are expected to follow if you are to fit in. Most religions are more strict then others, the word religion comes from the Latin word, “religare”, which means ‘to bind tightly’, so religion could most definitely defined as something that either can bind tightly around you or you can bind tightly around it. Do they control their religion or does their religion control them. There is an element of separatism that is present in religions. In the religion of Judaism, the Pharisees were known as “the separated ones”, to be separated from the rest of the world, considered special. In the Christian religion, the character of Jesus took issue with these separated ones, who claimed to be speakers on behalf of God, he took issue with them because of their holier then though attitudes. We divide ourselves into groups as soon as we slap labels on each other, I am this and you are that. Although there are always acceptations to the rule, I believe for an organized religion to function, servants are needed to serve the...
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...An outsider is someone who is distinct or different from everyone else, who takes a peculiar approach to life than others, whether it be good or bad. Someone could be an outsider even if they were an outstanding basketball player because they have something different from everyone else. An outsider is like the dog that doesn’t get picked by people because of how it looks, it is misjudged. Outsiders are not misunderstood, they are rather misjudged by society, like the dog. Outsiders are being misjudged in two ways, based on their outer appearance like the way they dress and based on their gender or race like how they identify. Outsiders are being misjudged based on their outer appearance. For example, Gregor in Metamorphosis was misjudged on the way he looks, his family assumes that because he looks like a bug he has changed, but really he is still the same person inside. The family became fearful of him as if he has truthfully become a bug, but what they don’t comprehend is the fact that he really is the same person with a different body. Also, someone could be characterized as an outsider as a result of of the way they are dressed. For example, if somebody came to our school...
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...Are outsiders those who are simply misjudged or misunderstood? Think about it: Do you consider yourself an “Outsider”? Majority answer Yes, but do they know what an outsider is or do they understand how being an outsider is perceived in society? People are stereotyped and taken in differently all the time for the way they appear. Misunderstanding someone and misjudging someone are two different things, When someone is misunderstood, they don't understand the entirety of the person versus misjudging someone for something else for how they are, rather it's the way they act or the way they appear. It happens in everyday life. Everyone is an outsider because there is no such thing as “A Normal Person”. Everyone is different in their own way,...
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... This presentation focuses on one black and one Dalit novel as a manifestation of the quest for self and space. Joseph Macwan comes forward as a prophet of Dalits’ welfare in Gujarat with his Angaliyat (1987) which is a representation of the emerging genre of the Dalit novel. It criticizes systems of internal colonization that exist within the Hindu caste system. Today, Dalits are both asserting their identity and challenging a society that had earlier excluded them, by writing about their lives themselves. Through the protagonist Teeha, the novel succeeds in demystifying ‘dalitness’ and redefining the real freedom of his fellow people. Richard Wright is one of the most acclaimed African American authors of the twentieth century. His Outsider (1953) depicts racial discrimination and the quest for identity. He creates a compelling story with his protagonist Cross Damon, a man of superior intellect who craves for peace and searches for his identity. In this quest, Cross Damon attempts to escape his past and start anew in a new set-up. But he brings terror and destruction wherever he goes. His existential crisis is mainly the result of the marginality propounded by Whites in general and the Communist Party in particular. Both authors have depicted the disease of racism, castism and marginalization and then suggested a cure: to move on to the future with the past firmly in its place. Still, Dalits’ and African...
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...Some outsiders have a phase of denial and when they see a self-reflection of themselves through another entity, it fuels hate. If they can see the same faults others have that they have as well, it causes the individual to not only hate those people, but themselves as well. It is the outsiders who are now looking in. The outsider is looking at themselves through another outsider. These hurdles delay or halt the logical reasoning. Especially for children, illogically transitions to a conclusion can form unnecessary hate. The temptation of reverting back to old habits becomes increasingly tempting. When seeing a quiet dainty Chinese girl, Kingston hates her. Beating up the girl is Kingston’s way of beating herself up (Kingston, 214). Kingston...
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...different” Discuss this attitude in relation to your understanding of the concept of outsiders. “He was different and us kids don’t like anything different” is a view that suggests difference is unfavorable and disliked. Difference is perceived as unfavorable because it is misunderstood and kids don’t think for themselves. This attitude has implications that create insiders and outsiders and inadvertently justifies bullying. It does not recognize that difference is misunderstood, and rather suggests that it is wrong altogether. This ignorant and unsophisticated attitude is exemplified in Archie Waller’s story Herbie, about a young indigenous school boy who is rejected by his community because he is black. His understanding and connection of the land is misunderstood, as well as his culture and identity. Herbie’s character and mistreatment is revealed through a powerful selection of language features employed to convey the racism explicitly. The attitude “He was different and us kids don’t like anything different” creates an insider/outsider relationship. The relationship consists of the outsiders who are different and therefore vulnerable, and the insiders who use this to gain power. Exemplified in Herbie, an particular insider describes Herbie by stating “[Herbie would] flit around the shadows like a crow, he was as black as one too”. This clearly demonstrates Herbie as an outsider to the central group (the insiders), and the term ‘flit’ suggests the actions of a bird...
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...attention. These are religious figures, conscience, and outsider. There were various points in the story where the author made used of a religious figure. The fat boy, for instance, has been described as monk-like. The fat boy is also like a shepherd tending his flock. “The fat boy stood before the railings and held one of the iron bars like a staff”. The fat boy, being a symbol of the Shepherd, looks after and protects the innocent, “The children smiled at him as he watched, and were content at his presence…”. At the end of the story, the fat boy ‘dies’ and his body mysteriously disappeared. I thought of how the fat boy’s fate resembles Jesus Christ who was also blamed for things he didn’t commit, was ridiculed and accused by the public and whose body also disappeared when he died. The fat boy seems to act as the townspeople’s conscience which is why he appears at or before each crime is committed "the fat boy had the knack of being where he was least desired". I think this is maybe one of the reasons why he is described by the town people as having such unattractive figure “A very fat, ugly boy, the music teacher said”. I noticed how the people who are guilty of crimes in the town such as Mr. Lammerton resent the fat boy's (conscience) presence as he makes him feel guilty for beating his wife. It is often easier to blame someone else than take responsibility for your actions. The fat boy also symbolizes ‘outsiders’. He is used as a ‘scapegoat’ by the town’s people who blame...
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...Each burrow or city in New York that has “turfs” that it is divided into by different graffiti artists or gangs. Different graffiti artists use their areas or “turfs” in their burrows to showcase their art, and there is a community of competition and mutual respect among them. Other artists are expected to respect and adhere to their respective “turfs” and interact to form a community with other artists in their “turf”. In David Ley and Roman Cybriwsky’s article “Urban Graffiti as Territorial Markers” they talk about how “the power to claim territory endues the claimant with both identity and status among his peer group” (494). Here it is made clear that graffiti artists are trying to make a name in their community so they will be recognized and respected by others. As an artist, Banksy has been known to not respect the “turfs” of other graffiti artists, and to put his art up wherever he pleases. Banksy wants to catch the attention of people outside of the graffiti community, who would potentially purchase his art in a gallery, not his “peers”. As an outsider using other people’s “turf”, he isn’t a part of the different communities in New York, he is just using them. This is a source of disrespect and a topic of discussion in the graffiti community of New...
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...differences they may have. It will be helpful to look at their environmental, professional, and personal factors, which may have affected their success. Contributions to the field Michael Dell’s contribution to field was consistently shaping customer value. The business community defines customer value, as customer satisfaction and repeat customers. Product planning is important to the overall success of any business because it allows you to understand your customers’ needs and wants. Potential customers are just as important as current customers in any successful business in order to stay ahead of the competitive edge (Krames, A.J. 2003). Andy Grove’s contribution to the field was far different from Michael Dell’s. Grove’s contribution was to develop the outsider perspective. An outsider perspective is defined by studying your organization as a competitor and looking at your company as an outsider would. This concept was used by Grove to help turn Intel’s downward spiral around. The Foreign competition was able to create the same product with better quality and lower cost (Krames, A.J. 2003). The Resistance Grove may have felt resistance to change when he came up with the concept of the outsider perspective. This may have been when he had to change his whole product dealing with memory...
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...Eating Christmas in the Kalahari Alec Smith Ivy Tech Community College Sociology 111 November 8, 2014 Confusion in Cultures The perception of foreign cultures can at times be quite peculiar. The article “Eating Christmas in Kalahari” by Richard Borshay Lee, foretells a classic example of cross culture misunderstanding when people from different cultures operate in a culturally unfamiliar environment. Richard Lee, a social anthropologist, explains what he learned living with the !Kung Bushmen, a South African tribe, for three years. This Gemeinschaft community of hunters-gatherers worked together to teach the anthropologist something important to their people, even though he was unaware of their intentions in the beginning. Although he believed he had learned a great deal from their group and culture, he was only beginning to truly learn what it meant to be a member of their society. This shows that one can sit and speculate on a society and their culture, but never truly know how they think, what they believe, or what is sacred to their people. In the !Kung Bushmen culture it is a tradition for one of its members to slaughter an ox for the entire community to share and feast upon Christmas day, which follows with dancing and celebrations. It was a very sacred tradition. In compensation for all the insight, cooperation, hospitality, as well as his frowned upon image of power, Richard volunteered himself as the member to find the best ox he could find. He spent a...
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