...The Similarities of 1968 and Now In the 2016 election year, the nation appeared more divided than it ever was in recent history. However, several similarities are shared between 2016 and 1968. Both years experienced several riots and protest related to politics and racial issues. The culture of the eras produced a generation gap between those becoming adults and those currently in power. Another similarity is the milestones reached in space exploration. The common events of 2016 and 1968 are a prime example of how history repeats itself. Social unrest is a common theme between the two years. With the civil rights movement at its peak in 1968, 1968 had dozens of racially motivated riots and protests. 2016 shared similar racial tension as show...
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...This story of star-crossed lovers is one of William Shakespeare’s tenderest dramas. Shakespeare is sympathetic toward Romeo and Juliet, and in attributing their tragedy to fate, rather than to a flaw in their characters, he raises them to heights near perfection, as well as running the risk of creating pathos, not tragedy. They are both sincere, kind, brave, loyal, virtuous, and desperately in love, and their tragedy is greater because of their innocence. The feud between the lovers’ families represents the fate that Romeo and Juliet are powerless to overcome. The lines capture in poetry the youthful and simple passion that characterizes the play. One of the most popular plays of all time, Romeo and Juliet was Shakespeare’s second tragedy (after Titus Andronicus of 1594, a failure). Consequently, the play shows the sometimes artificial lyricism of early comedies such as Love’s Labour’s Lost 1594-1595, . 1598) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (. 1595-1596, . 1600), while its character development predicts the direction of the playwright’s artistic maturity. In Shakespeare’s usual fashion, he based his story on sources that were well known in his day: Masuccio Salernitano’s Novellino (1475), William Painter’s The Palace of Pleasure (1566-1567), and, especially, Arthur Brooke’s poetic The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet (1562). Shakespeare reduces the time of the action from the months it takes in Brooke’s work to a few compact days. In addition to following the conventional...
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...Themes Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. Justice King Lear is a brutal play, filled with human cruelty and awful, seemingly meaningless disasters. The play’s succession of terrible events raises an obvious question for the characters—namely, whether there is any possibility of justice in the world, or whether the world is fundamentally indifferent or even hostile to humankind. Various characters offer their opinions: “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; / They kill us for their sport,” Gloucester muses, realizing it foolish for humankind to assume that the natural world works in parallel with socially or morally convenient notions of justice (4.1.37–38). Edgar, on the other hand, insists that “the gods are just,” believing that individuals get what they deserve (5.3.169). But, in the end, we are left with only a terrifying uncertainty—although the wicked die, the good die along with them, culminating in the awful image of Lear cradling Cordelia’s body in his arms. There is goodness in the world of the play, but there is also madness and death, and it is difficult to tell which triumphs in the end. Authority versus Chaos King Lear is about political authority as much as it is about family dynamics. Lear is not only a father but also a king, and when he gives away his authority to the unworthy and evil Goneril and Regan, he delivers not only himself and his family but all of Britain into chaos and cruelty. As...
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...Entertainment throughout the ages has remained the same, audiences are captivated by the morally gray areas, gory violence, and raunchy comedies with female leads (like Golden Girls and Sex in the City). With the way society has made us desensitized to almost all the twisted scenarios we see on tv and in the media it is not surprising that this thirst for debauchery is nothing new. I think the oedipus the king would be well received, and maybe even acclaimed with the way the story transitions smoothly, while it ties together the never ending drama that is presented throughout the play. The entire concept of Lysistrata can only be described as an old comedy. A old comedy by greek definition generally was political in nature, the statement being the need for an end to the war. Aristophanes did so in what can be considered one of the best comedies by having the woman, who were played by men, withhold sex from the Athenians to bring an end to the war. The play continues it’s jest on society and the war by having the chorus of old men and old women. The chorus of old men continually try to undermine the women, but the women usually being two steps...
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...Inside Southeast Asia Internal Political Challenges, Inter-State Conflicts and Regional Security Southeast Asia has been one of the most vibrant regions in recent years. This resilient and dynamic region is one of the major hubs at the heart of Asia and is likely to play a significant role in the rising Asia. It can help shape and evolve the larger regional architecture in the Asia-Pacific region. Inside Southeast Asia, the internal political and social systems and the interaction between the two have created an interesting mix of hope, challenges and threats at the national, bilateral and regional levels. Besides, with the ongoing economic integration and political and security cooperation with regional powers, the regional organization-ASEAN seeks to balance these relations with the proliferation of new powers. The Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies (IPCS), as an independent research institute and a leading think-tank, explores what is happening in Southeast Asia today. The Southeast Asia Research Programme (SEARP) at the Institute monitors these internal issues in the region on a regular basis and further intends to convert the process into a annual meet to understand the dynamics of the current issues, challenges and problems in Southeast Asia. Three themes have been identified in the region which need immediate attention– Internal political challenges, inter-state conflicts and ASEAN and regional security. Theme-I Internal Political Challenges The primary security...
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...stops her marrying Robert Martin, a local farmer because she thinks he is not good enough for her. She believes that Mr. Elton, the local vicar would be a much better match. Her attempt to make a match between Harriet and Mr. Elton fails miserably but she tries to pair Harriet off with Frank Churchill. However Frank announces a surprise engagement with to Jane Fairfax while Harriet herself believes that Mr. Knightley, a close friend of Emma’s is in love with her. As it turns out, Mr. Knightley is really in love with Emma and asks her to marry him. She accepts and decides to stop interfering in other people’s life. So, when she hears that Hrriet has accepted Robert Martin’s second proposal of marriage she wishes the couple all the best. THEMES TRADITIONAL VALUES OF THE MIDDLE / UPPER CLASSES - property, money and marriage are Austen’s major concerns - marriage provides the basis of the plot, as the women of the time were totally dependent on their husbands or fathers NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE & POINT OF VIEW - is a development of the 3rd person narrative - sometimes the narrator is omniscient...
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...Join About the Museum Shop Search Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History World Regions Timelines Thematic Essays Works of Art Index About the Timeline Metpublications Postmodernism: Recent Developments in Art in India Thematic Essays By Category Recent Additions All Thematic Essays Artists Rulers African Art American Art Ancient Near Eastern Art Art of the Americas Asian Art Byzantine Art Egyptian Art European Art Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Medieval Art Modern and Contemporary Art Oceanic/Pacific Art Prehistory By Geographical Region & Time Period By Department View Slideshow The political climate in India has been volatile in recent years. The hard-line Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took over the government. Ongoing tensions with Pakistan escalated to the brink of nuclear war in 2002. At the same time, India is a growing democracy with a population reaching a billion. Indian mass culture has also expanded, as its commercial film industry, known as "Bollywood," becomes the most productive in the world. Some artists take inspiration from or appropriate actual elements of local mass culture; some also address current events in their works. A few artists and art critics in India have begun to conceptualize their unique position in international contemporary art. Related Cited Works of Art or Images (4) ...
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...Resurrection”, painted by Juan Bautista Maino in Spain, in 1612. The Baroque style art depicts the strong Christian values of the time, as Christianity had become a major religion in Spain. Christianity was introduced to Spain in 62 AD but was later rejected by the Visigoths whom rules Spain in 711 AD. In this time, the religion of Islam began to spread due to lack of taxation of citizens and the lack of forced conversion on non-Muslims, which lasted until the late fifteen century. Catholicism began to take root after the two royal families of Spain, the Argon and the Castile created a union between Ferdinand of Castile of Western Spain and Isabella of Argon of Eastern Spain in 1496. Their union being political was backed and controlled by the Catholic Church. Due to much social strife between the...
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...Black Like Me Mr. John Howard Griffin, author of the book Black Like Me, had questioned the experience of the Negro in the Deep South in America. There was lip service from the white America that the relationship with the Negro was one of harmony. Mr. Griffin felt this not to be a statement of truth and with this questioning decided that he would find first hand by transforming himself with dye, ultraviolet light, and medication to take on the characteristics of a Negro man. He immersed himself into the Negro culture and experienced racism at its finest in New Orleans, Louisiana. His book was a diary form account of his life as a Negro from October to August in 1959 and 1960. Mr. Griffin became interested in class effects and racism as he studied in France and experienced the treatment of Jews. He had long studied and written of the Negro experience, however could not truly experience the discrimination until he carried out his experience. He secured finances from a friend who published a magazine for blacks. The agreement was made with the magazine publisher to have rights to publish Mr. Griffin’s research in a story for his magazine. During his transformation with medication to obtain his blackness, there were concerns for his wellbeing and health. He was apprised of the danger in his treatment and also of the outcome that he would encounter as a black man. His family supported him in his experiment, however feared his dangerous circumstance that he was near...
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...Steven Spielberg wrote in Time Magazine that at the core of Zhang Yimou’s filmography “was the idea that the conflict of man foretells the desire for inner peace”. Spielberg’s statement precisely embodies the underlying meaning in both films “To Live” and “Hero” (Person of the Year). Both films reinforce the idea that humanity conquers all. Humility and benevolence are hard to come by, easily trotted upon, and often taken advantage of. However, it is only through personal strife that we often embody these qualities and begin to develop inner piece. Both films employ powerful and sad events to help expose political shortcomings and ailments that have a direct and real result on society. I believe that at the heart of Yimou’s cinematography is the idea that, after all is said and done, goodwill humanity will prevail. In “To Live”, a Chinese family experiences more misfortunes than blessings. Because of gambling, unfortunate circumstances, and political instability and change, we see Fugui and his family go through a traumatic transformation from riches to rags. But what’s captivating to watch is that as life becomes more difficult and situations worsen, Fugui begins to appreciate the finer things in life. He soul wakes up to morality and purpose when for so long it was bogged down by selfishness, power, and earthly desires. Through cultural symbolism, we are reminded of the important values perpetuated by this film. From the puppet shows to an eclectic mix of Chinese instrumentation...
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...began using the image of a gyre to represent his spiritual canon. Yeats believed that the era he lived in was the end of the Christian-Cycle of the world and the beginning of the Human-Cycle. Much of Yeat’s inspiration was derived from mythologies, mysticism, and the occult of Ireland and other cultures, Christianity included; other inspiration, in his later years, developed from the Irish Rebellion, the Russian Revolution, World War I, and other political matters of his era. Much of the symbolism Yeats uses draws heavily from his metaphysical beliefs; he used well-known symbols to get his point across as well as cryptic and ambiguous symbols to keep his works relevant throughout time. In the poems “The Second Coming” and “Sailing to Byzantium”, Yeats uses symbolism to make poignant, haunting statements on the contemporary issues of his time involving society and human existence that, by his own design, are still relevant today. In the poem “The Second Coming”, Yeats is waxing poetic over the chaos created by war and political strife. His belief in historical determinism is hinted at with the line “Turning and turning in the widening gyre”. It’s also a reference to his cyclical beliefs in that, the conclusion of one era is the beginning of the next, which is strengthened by the next line: “The falcon cannot hear the falconer,” an allusion that can be construed as the worker-classes ignoring their rulers....
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...The True Nature of Lear’s Madness Out of all of Shakespeare’s works, King Lear is by far his greatest tragedy. Tragedy, not in the sorts of horrific blood shed, but in terms of the hostile nature of humankind, that was thoroughly explored within the play. The brilliance of the play does not only lie in its brilliant storyline, it ultimately lies in the numerous universal, yet controversial themes. Themes of familial obligation, metaphorical blindness, political disarray, cruelty, betrayal, insanity and madness, these are only a few of the many conveyed. The critical summation of King Lear is as such: King Lear, ruler of Britain, decides to abdicate his throne and leave Britain in the charge of his three daughters. However, due to his weakness to flattery he bestows the entire kingdom to his daughters, Goneril and Regan. Unlike her malevolent sisters, Cordelia is banished by Lear. Ultimately, as a result of the committed acts, Lear sets not only himself, but also his entire country into civil strife. The natural order originally established by Lear falls apart and disorder engulfs the realm. Lear’s, ‘fall from grace’ in addition to the abuse he attains from his offspring causes him to go temporarily insane. However, insanity leads Lear to self-realization, completely stripped from his royal pretensions. Such a realization causes Lear to overlook his values and finally learn of humility. One is able to state that before the climax took place Lear, in fact was ‘mad’, this...
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...retirement have revived speculation about the preconditions he would consider essential to guarantee his personal safety after leaving office. More broadly, there is increasing debate about the possible shape of a post-Mugabe dispensation, and how a new government might begin to tackle the serious economic and political difficulties facing the country.Even members of Zimbabwe’s ruling establishment now commonly accept that the formal economy is in a state of near collapse. Whatever their publicly-stated positions, leading figures in ZANU-PF admit that a return to international respectability and the resumption of aid and loan flows are urgently needed if a complete economic meltdown is to be averted. There are, however, some dissenting voices about the way Zimbabwe should handle its future relations with the World Bank, IMF and donor community, and these represent a significant faction across the formal political divide. The views of these intellectuals will have to be considered even as the international community attempts to ease Zimbabwe out of its political and economic impasse. In the short term, it appears that the economic crisis has affected the domestic political balance of power in a number of ways. First, its effect on the living standards of the vast majority of Zimbabweans has created a groundswell of support for opponents of the current government, whose mismanagement and corruption are seen to be at the heart of the problem. Much of this discontent is manifested...
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...journey. Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain gives way to the protagonist Huck who during the starting phase of the Picaresque novel is shown to have a limited view on the world through his lack of education and is oblivious to the unethical views of his society. Huck’s ignorance is symbolised with his comment on the Widow’s refusal of his smoking “That is just the way with some people. They get down on a thing when they don’t know nothing about it.” This quote used for a smaller issue can be seen to highlight the Huck’s own lack of knowledge regarding “racism”, to which the novel’s key theme is revealed to the audience. Parallel to Huck Finn, Lord of the Ring’s Frodo Baggins easygoing and oblivious nature of the outside world is used to contrast the irreversible effects of the great journey into Mordor. While the trilogy’s human heroes, such as Aragorn, thrive in the wars and political intrigue of Middle-earth, hobbits seem to prefer to be far from the center of action. This separation engenders in hobbits a kind of innocence showing their ignorance of the outside world,...
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...enjoy. In reference to Selcer (p.65), organizations devoted to the study of American authors include a directory of member- societies, and membership and event information. The library of America offers American Literature, including poems, novels, essays drama and other American works from America’s best writers. According to Hewitt (p.4), during its initial history, the US was a British colony especially on the east-coast of the present US. In reference to Hewitt (p.6), therefore, its literary traditions borrow heavily from the British. Nevertheless, its distinct features and the depth of its production make it to be viewed as its own entity. In reference to Hewitt (p.60), who American was and what America had become was the dominant theme of literature as the first outlines of modern American life took shape. Earliest forms of American Literature In reference to Selcer (p.52), many American authors turned to letter writing as an idealized genre through which to consider through the challenges of American democracy. According to Selcer (p.51), by examining the literature of slavery and race before the civil war many authors demonstrate how the slavery crisis became a crisis of philosophy that exposed the breakdown of national consensus. According to Hewitt (p.45), in contemporary early American literature, poetry novel, essays,...
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