Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Epiphany Meaning and Examples

Epiphany Meaning and Examples An  Epiphany is a term in literary criticism for a sudden realization, a flash of recognition, in which someone or something is seen in a new light. In Stephen Hero (1904), Irish author James Joyce used the term epiphany to describe the moment when the soul of the commonest object . . . seems to us radiant. The object achieves it epiphany. Novelist Joseph Conrad described epiphany as one of those rare moments of awakening in which everything [occurs] in a flash. Epiphanies may be evoked in works of nonfiction as well as in short stories and novels. The word epiphany comes from the Greek for a manifestation or showing forth. In Christian churches, the feast following the twelve days of Christmas (January 6) is called Epiphany because it celebrates the appearance of divinity (the Christ child) to the Wise Men. Examples of Literary Epiphanies Epiphanies are a common storytelling device because part of what makes a good story is a character who grows and changes. A sudden realization can signify a turning point for a character when they finally understand something that the story has been trying to teach them all along. It is often used well at the end of mystery novels when the saluteth finally receives the last clue that makes all the pieces of the puzzle make sense. A good novelist can often lead the readers to such epiphanies along with their characters.   Epiphany in the Short Story "Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield In the story of the same name Miss ​B rill discovers such annihilation when her own identity as onlooker and imagined choreographer to the rest of her small world crumbles in the reality of loneliness. The imagined conversations she has with other people become, when overheard in reality, the onset of her destruction. A young couple on her park bench- the hero and the heroine of Miss Brills own fictive drama, just arrived from his fathers yacht . . . - are transformed by reality into two young people who cannot accept the aging woman who sits near them. The boy refers to her as that stupid old thing at the end of the bench and openly expresses the very question that Miss Brill has been trying so desperately to avoid through her Sunday charades in the park: Why does she come here at allwho wants her? Miss Brills epiphany forces her to forgo the usual slice of honeycake at the bakers on her way home, and home, like life, has changed. It is now a little dark room . . . like a cup board. Both life and home have become suffocating. Miss Brills loneliness is forced upon her in one transformative moment of acknowledgment of reality. (Karla Alwes, Katherine Mansfield. Modern British Women Writers: An A-to-Z Guide, ed. by Vicki K. Janik and Del Ivan Janik. Greenwood, 2002) Harry (Rabbit) Angstrom's Epiphany in Rabbit, Run They reach the tee, a platform of turf beside a hunchbacked fruit tree offering fists of taut ivory-colored buds. Let me go first, Rabbit says. Til you calm down. His heart is hushed, held in mid-beat, by anger. He doesnt care about anything except getting out of this tangle. He wants it to rain. In avoiding looking at Eccles he looks at the ball, which sits high on the tee and already seems free of the ground. Very simply he brings the clubhead around his shoulder into it. The sound has a hollowness, a singleness he hasnt heard before. His arms force his head up and his ball is hung way out, lunarly pale against the beautiful black blue of storm clouds, his grandfathers color stretched dense across the north. It recedes along a line straight as a ruler-edge. Stricken; sphere, star, speck. It hesitates, and Rabbit thinks it will die, but hes fooled, for the ball makes its hesitation the ground of a final leap: with a kind of visible sob takes a last bite of space before vanishing in falling. Thats it! he cries and, turning to Eccles with a grin of aggrandizement, repeats, Thats it. (John Updike, Rabbit, Run. Alfred A. Knopf, 1960) The passage quoted from the first of John Updikes Rabbit novels describes an action in a contest, but it is the intensity of the moment, not its consequences, that [is] important (we never discover whether the hero won that particular hole). . . .In epiphanies, prose fiction comes closest to the verbal intensity of lyric poetry (most modern lyrics are in fact nothing but epiphanies); so epiphanic description is likely to be rich in figures of speech and sound. Updike is a writer prodigally gifted with the power of metaphoric speech. . . . When Rabbit turns to Eccles and cries triumphantly, Thats it! he is answering the ministers question about what is lacking in his marriage. . . . Perhaps in Rabbits cry of Thats it! we also hear an echo of the writers justifiable satisfaction at having revealed, through language, the radiant soul of a well-struck tee shot. (David Lodge, The Art of Fiction. Viking, 1993) Critical Observations on Epiphany It is a literary  critics job to analyze and discuss the ways authors use epiphanies in novels.   The critics function is to find ways of recognizing and judging the epiphanies of literature which, like those of life itself (Joyce borrowed his use of the term epiphany directly from theology), are partial disclosures or revelations, or spiritual matches struck unexpectedly in the dark. (Colin Falck, Myth, Truth, and Literature: Towards a True Post-Modernism, 2nd ed. Cambridge Univ. Press, 1994) The definition Joyce gave of epiphany in Stephen Hero depends on a familiar world of objects of use- a clock one passes every day. The epiphany restores the clock to itself in one act of seeing, of experiencing it for the first time. (Monroe Engel, Uses of Literature. Harvard University Press, 1973)

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana in the U.S Article

Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana in the U.S - Article Example The legalization of marijuana or otherwise known as cannabis could yield positive effects since it can be used to aid in treating some medical diseases. Marijuana is useful to cancer patients to reduce nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy. It is more reasonable than using conventional drugs to treat these side effects for those patients whose health does not improve even after being subjected to them. In some cases, researchers have found some drugs used during the treatment, for example, promethazine cause dizziness, hallucinations or dysphoria (Harman, 2000). Cannabis has been used since the 19th century to relieve pain. Researchers have published numerous articles recommending the use of cannabis as an alternative medicine for curing disorders and other ailments. This narcotic is useful to patients with nerve damage, spasticity, nausea, and even glaucoma since it is an excellent pain and stress reliever. People suffering from HIV/AIDS and Dementia could also benefit from marijuana since it has proven to be an appetite stimulant (Harman, 2000). These are among the many diseases that the patient’s health could be greatly improved by the use of marijuana. The American Research Society and the American Medical Association support the view that clinics used for research should be granted access to more cannabis for better potential medical health improvement. Marijuana has no proven research to show that it is addictive. The anti-legalization of Marijuana group does not give facts that it is bad for one’s health. It is an assump tion based on the bad image people have about it.  Ã‚  

Friday, November 1, 2019

New Technologies and Documentary Storytelling Essay

New Technologies and Documentary Storytelling - Essay Example This paper discusses that the new technologies upcoming in the media industry such as video editing and digital camera software, have made documentary filmmaking a product of storyteller’s persistence and vision, the storyteller is normally the director of such documentary. Many viewers have had a stuffy perception of what constitute documentary storytelling; however, the impact of the new technologies on documentary storytelling has changed the perspective on documentary storytelling, which has become a short form of digital media production due to the presence of digital camera software. This has allowed people to across the world share the elements of their life stories. Video editing software has also enabled documentary storytelling to include film techniques that are digital equivalent, animations, motion video with sound, and other kinds of non-physical media. This report stresses that new technologies are changing documentary storytelling very fast in the way they are produced, experienced, and distributed. Many media scholars have come up with numerous digital camera and video editing software that has seen documentary storytelling hit a higher notch. Production and directing has become more effective and efficient. Because of this, many people share their life stories and the natural situation of the world and real circumstances facing the world. Although media industry previously had difficulty applying media techniques to documentary storytelling, the rising technologies has made it much easier for their production. Effective documentary storytelling by storytellers is a result of personal desire to explore real life situations and share nonfictional motion pictures on televisions. The new technologies has changed documentary storytelling through the availability of photography, audio, video, and digital camera software, which has cre ated a shift from passive media users to active media consumers. Due to these new technologies, media consumers are currently playing main roles as agents of interaction that transform media uses. Through the new technologies that acknowledge the present state of documentary storytelling in terms of production, experience, and distribution, documentary storytellers can now shed new lights when developing experiences of non-fiction media (Rony, 2007). Being a documentary filmmaker, storyteller means more than journalism profession in the media industry. This is basically because documentary storytelling involves a wide sort of motion nonfictional pictures that are intended to document some reality aspects majorly for the purposes of maintaining a record of history. This needs utilization of quite a number of media principles and regulations such as fair use of stories involving people and the world. Documentary filmmakers create an easy, clear statement of reasonable and fair approac hes to fair use through their professional associations. Fair use, in some circumstances, is the right to quote materials that is copyrighted without paying for or asking authority and permission for it. Being a storyteller demands a understanding of the essential feature of copyright law. This is because copyright is very important in the profession and is applicable to the production of any kind of media

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The Abrahamic Covenant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Abrahamic Covenant - Essay Example Destroy all He created save one man, Noah, who walked in the ways of the Lord and had found favour in His eyes. So God instructed Noah to build a huge ark, which can house his family and a pair of each animal. Then the waters came upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, wiping out the mankind and beasts from the face of the earth, save those in the ark Noah built. Thereafter, God blessed Noah and his sons to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth again. Thereafter they went their ways and multiplied in numbers. There was only one language, and in their pride, the mankind wanted to build a tower so high, that it would reach to heavens. So, God confounded them with various tongues, and they abandoned their edifice, but the vanity of pride and sin still prevailed. And it multiplied as did the mankind, filling the earth. During such times, God came to a man called Abram and said " Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."( KJV, Genesis 12: 1-3 ) And Abram beliAnd Abram believed in what he heard, and set out taking his family and his cattle and travelled all the places the Lord instructed. Then the Lord, in course of Abram's days, rechristened his name to Abraham, and his wife Sarai to Sarah, and in the ripe of their age, renowned His promise to them. "And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. " (KJV, Genesis 17: 7-8). Then Abraham had Isaac for a son and his faith and belief is put to test when the Lord asks Isaac for a sacrifice. Abraham then passes it and the Lord is further pleased with Abraham. And Abraham dies, well in old age, having willed all his material possessions and the Lord's covenant to Isaac. Then to Isaac twins are born, Esau who comes out first, then Jacob holding Esau's leg. By virtue of the covenant the Lord establishes with Abraham, it should further be carried to Esau and his children, but Esau sells his birthright to Jacob over a meal. The Lord Himself says in this regard Then Jacob has twelve sons and these twelve sons are the heads of twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. And Israel after serving Egypt in bondage for four hundred years is liberated by the Prophet Moses. This follows two most crucial aspects in the Jewish history, the meeting of the Lord on Mount Sinai, followed by handing over the Torah - consisting of five books, which discuss the advent of Hebrews since creation till the liberation. Torah is considered to be the Law, in other words, it could also be called the directions given by the Lord to the nation of Israel towards keeping them chaste and in accordance to His will. This Torah further has the Ten Commandments, which are believed to be directly

Monday, October 28, 2019

Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques | Example Analysis

Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques | Example Analysis This work aims to perform a thematic qualitative data analysis of scripts entitled Is abortion right or wrong? A commentary on qualitative data analysis techniques will be discussed and an interpretation of findings from the scripts (Appendix 1-3) presented. A conclusion summarising the main findings will then be drawn. Qualitative Data Analysis It is the range of processes and procedures whereby qualitative data has been put in some form of explanation, understanding or interpretation to search for general statements about relationships among categories of data (Burns and Grove, 2002). Techniques Qualitative methodologies are identified by Glaser and Strauss (1967) as non statistical techniques that researchers use inductive logic to analyse yield correlations that are difficult to translate. Content Analysis Researchers state that this is the simplest and most popular methodology. According to Carley (1990) it is the systematic description of behaviour by asking who, what, where and how questions. It can also be argued that the process is much more mechanical with the analysis being left until data is collected. Gibbs (2002) further highlight that the researcher then systematically works through each transcript assigning codes, which may be in numbers or words. Thematic Analysis According to Miles and Huberman (1994) data is analysed by themes and highly inductive themes emerge from data. Data collection and analysis takes place simultaneously and prior background reading and knowledge on the topic can help to explain an emerging theme. Strauss and Corbin (1998) highlight that thematic analysis aims to understand data rather than know it. The main aim is to end up with key themes that describe the essence of the study. Although it provides meaningful structure and non insightful information it is time consuming. Strauss and Corbin (1998 p180) highlight that grounded theorists refer to the point when no new themes are being identified as theoretical saturation. When and how saturation is reached depends on the text complexity and the researchers experience. More experienced researchers are likely to reach saturation later than novices. Wilson and Hutchinson (1996 p 123) also warn against premature closure where the researcher fails to move beyond the face value of the content in the narrative. Comparative Analysis Finlay (2002) describes it as a logical and non statistical methodology. Data is compared and contrasted and the process continues until the researcher is satisfied that no new issues are emerging. Comparative analysis is often used with thematic analysis. The researcher works backwards and forwards, constantly revisiting notes and research literature. Discourse Analysis Researchers refer to it as complex and confusing. It was developed by social constructionists and is commonly used in cognitive psychology. According to Potter (1996) it is also called conversational analysis, a method that look at the pattern of speech, how particular words are used and how people take turns in conversation. Discourse analysis performs an action rather than describe a specific state of affairs and analysis is intuitive and reflective (Potter, 1996). Triangulation Analysis Involves strengthening by combining insights from both qualitative and quantitative analyses. According to Gibbs (2007), it contributes to the investigators efforts to achieve information. Myers (2002) however argues that, there are major concerns with reliability and validity in triangulation and qualitative data. How does one account for good or bad day interviews? This has been criticised by some researchers, for there is no way to evaluate precision on the investigators judgement. Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software New qualitative data analysis software programmes are now available for computer analyses. The Non Numerical Unstructured Data Indexing, Searching and Theorising (QSRS NUD*IST) software is a popular programme. Lewins and Silver (2007), however argue that, although computers save time, they stop the researcher from becoming familiar with the data. As also highlighted by Alexa and Zuell (2000), a computer can undertake these processes but it cannot think, judge or interpret qualitative data. Themes The current parity between prolife and prochoice camp is mirrored in the respondents views on abortion. Given the attitude of people on abortion and the dominant images they have on prolife and prochoice, several themes can be traced for communication. Abortion is wrong in all circumstances (Prolife) Christians and most religious peoples views on abortion are much more in line with the Church and religion teachings that abortion is wrong. The profile sentiment in the respondents views is very much evident among all scripts. The official church doctrine does not allow abortion, the underlying dimension of religion being the most predictive of its position on abortion. As stated by Respondent 1 abortion is murder of helpless innocent babies. Respondent 3 further supports Respondent 1 highlighting that, God is the giver of life and should be the only one to take it. There seem to be an undoubted consensus that abortion is wrong as also highlighted by Respondents 2 and 5 who both quote Thou shalt not kill from the Bibles Ten Commandments. Respondent 6 sums up this up nicely stating that, whether raped or not, life is life, no one has the right to take it away. Respondents 1, 2, 4 and 7 also express the view that, the process of abortion is a painful, dangerous procedure that poses a substantial risk to a womans physical and mental well being. Abortion is right in all circumstances (Prochoice) Abortion is a discourse promoted by prochoice movement. Feminists argue that it is an affirmation of womens rights to control their bodies. As Respondent 1 captures, It is a womans right to choose what happens to her body it is her body not the legislators or the Churchs. It can also argue that the foetus is part of her body and utterly depends on her for viability. Respondent 2 further highlights that, Only the voice of the pregnant woman should put her future into perspective. Respondents 1,2,4,5 and 7 partly share the same view that society should not judge or blame any woman who chooses to have an abortion. The respondents clearly bring out that abortion is a paradigm, the ultimate paradigm of right or wrong. Middle of the road (Prolife/Prochoice) One striking finding from the analysis is that, some respondents agree to abortion despite being in the profile camp. Respondents 1, 2,3,5,6 and 7 all state that they agree to abortion when the unborn child poses a substantial threat to the mothers life and also in rape or incest. The respondents also highlight that abortion should be considered in gross congenital abnormalities. Respondent 5 further states that, abortion can be morally accepted only when an unborn baby is suffering from a serious illness or disability. These factors together with the fact of multiculturalism in the United Kingdom may partly explain how peoples attitude and views has varied over the years and how the balance is consistently favouring abortion rights. Conclusion The themes identified illustrate the multiple influences on peoples attitude and behaviour with regards to abortion. Although many issues were raised, there were specific elements of culture and religion that shaped the respondents views. Television Plays a Positive Role in Society | Statement Assessment Television Plays a Positive Role in Society | Statement Assessment TV plays a very important role in the building of a society. TV has changed the societies of world so much that we cant ignore its importance. First of all we have to know what the media is. TV is a source of information or communication and media plays a very significant role in everyones life. In todays modern society, media has become a very big parts of our life. Its duty is to inform, educate and entertain. TV like a bridge between the governing bodies and general public. It is a powerful and flexible tool that influences the public to a great extent. TV is the voice of the voiceless and a great force in building the nation. However, although there are some positive effects of media on people, there are also many negative effects of media on people. For example, respect for life, bad influence on children and hurting celebrities intentionally. Although there are some positive effects of TV on people, there are also many negative effects of TV on children. For example, respect for life, bad influence on children and hurting celebrities intentionally. Since the birth of communication, media has been used to convey information to those willing to absorb it. Beginning with publications and simple spoken words, and soaring to new heights in the twentieth century with radio, television, and the internet, media have been made accessible to people in every aspect of their daily lives. With such a strong hold on modern society, mass media have been able to shape popular culture and often influence public opinion. However, when abused, the power of tv can harm the general population. Biased media tend to make people strive to be someone elses idea of perfect while subconsciously ignoring their own goals. Stereotypes formed by the media that include thin, tanned women, and wealthy, muscular men have led to a decline in self-acceptanc e. The majority of media today often present the perfect body to the public, hoping that consumers will strive to achieve fitness using a certain product or idea. While this form of advertising may somewhat increase a products market share, many people suffer from inner conflicts as a result of failure to achieve the body of a top athlete or fashion model. Along with emotional conflicts, those influenced by the tv have encountered physical problems, including bulimia, anorexia, and the employment of harmful dietary plans. Unless reality is discerned from what is presented in certain media, some people will continue to suffer. Consumers could find the truth more easily if tv offered products advertised by normal people without all the extra glamor. In addition to this, if the public could view advertising only as something to get ones attention and not a portrayal of how one should look, there would be fewer problems. Until either is accomplished, the negative effects will be felt by the vulnerable, and companies will continue to make their money. Those consumers given a false impression about a product through various forms of media are the ones who suffer most from our societys portrayal of the perfect body. After being influenced by a television commercial or a magazine pictorial, certain people in this world will purchase an item hoping that the same success shown in the medium will be had by them as well. Mentally, some may feel an improvement but in reality nothing has changed. Realization of this leads to the demise of many individuals self pride. The severity of both the mental and physical damage done to the person depends on the case. Some may resort to extreme diets, more unnecessary spending, or a decline in social activity. The mental effects of the tvs portrayal of the perfect body can cause people to resort to unhealthy methods of losing weight to attain that athletic look that so many desire. Such conditions that can occur from trying to lose weight too fast are bulimia and anorexia. Bulimia is a food disorder caused by mental insecurities (Larsen, Joanne). Doctors recommend that bulimic people see a psychiatrist because the illnesss symptoms, including compulsive exercise, taking laxatives, and throwing up, can cause ones body to become short on electrolytes, which is extremely unhealthy (Larsen, Joanne). Anorexia is a similar condition in which one loses exorbitant amounts of weight often by eating very little and vomiting what minute amount of food that is actually consumed (Mathias ). In one extreme case, a young woman lost an incredible thirty pounds in a period of a month (Mathias ). Because of the constant binging and purging, ones metabolism becomes abnormal and one puts on large amounts of w eight by hardly eating anything (2). In the past, both men and women (predominately men) who were slightly overweight used a fat burning drug known as Redux. It was designed for obese individuals, but the off-label use of such drugs began rampant due to advertising techniques by the manufacturers (Lawsuit). Many people, including doctors, who were slightly overweight used the drug and have experienced pulmonary hypertension, valvular heart disease, and neurotoxicity (Lawsuit). Other drugs, such as steroids, have been widely proven to cause brain cancer, stunted growth, and shrinkage of the testes (Mathias ). Many student-athletes use these performance enhancers in an attempt to become as muscular as the men often portrayed by media. This problem is also present in female teenagers as well. To some girls, steroid use is comparable to diet pills and laxatives (2). The abuse of these drugs is partly a result of inaccurate advertising as well as the young persons desire to look and perform as well as the superstars shown in various forms of media. How can a fifteen year-old be like Mike without shooting up a performance enhancing steroid into his arm? The bottom line is that he can not. If TV were encouraged to present products in ordinary situations by ordinary people, there would be fewer negative effects as a result of advertising. Consumers might realize that an article of clothing is not meant solely for slender women but can be enjoyed by people of all sizes. The products may not necessarily sell because of their sexy advertisements, but rather because of the appearance of the items themselves. In the long run more customers would buy the product simply because it appeals to them. There would not be as many disillusioned people, and possibly some of the harmful activities done to lose weight could cease. If manufacturers would agree to this, it could help them financially as well. For example, in the Redux case, glamorous advertising cost the company millions of dollars in lawsuits and brand name recognition. If the product had been aimed only at seriously overweight people as the drug was originally intended, less money would have been lost, and the company c ould still haveitsgoodname. The bottom line is that people should make up their minds that they will not be negatively influenced by the media. In doing this, the public can view tv for what it truly is-a means of conveying information or supplying entertainment. Good common sense should tell a woman that the overly attractive person in an advertisement is a model and should be admired for her beauty; all women are not required to look like her to be attractive. The process of differentiating fact from fiction in advertising can not be described on paper. It can only happen in peoples minds, one at a time. As long as this method of advertising continues to sell products for companies, there will still be the gorgeous woman bouncing around ones television screen with a Marlboro in her hand and a Versace evening gown covering very little of her body. Although there is no direct solution to ending personal suffering due to the images put in front of the American population, there is a starting point. Companies can still successfully sell products without beautiful babes. Also, if certain media can be viewed for entertainment purposes only, people can enjoy the beautiful bodies before them. However, if some still model themselves after Cindy Crawford or Tom Cruise, they will keep failing to meet their extremely high personal goals. The medias negative grip on society can be greatly decreased if people remember just one thing what is on television is only an advertisement. To sum up, the effects of tv cannot be underestimated. They reach far into the foundation of the childs relationship to the world. They affect the childs values, their relationship to and estimation of other people, their relationship to themselves, their perception of reality. Even childrens programs, cartoons and education shows are not only violent in some cases, but they expose the child to behaviour that both shows lack of reverence and respect for other people, or encourages awareness of self image, which jars the child into growing up before her time. Not to mention the enormous impact and very researched field of the short-term and long-term effects of violence in the tv. Even regardless of the content watched, television, films and computer games are addictive, impoverish creativity and imagination, as well as keeping them sitting in front of a screen instead of moving and playing(Winn, Marie,2002). I think, tv can be a huge challenge to avoid exposing young children and babies to it because the tv is so much part of modern life. One thing that helps immensely is to start by weaning oneself from it. Try to watch less TV, and to sing and learn to play an instrument instead of only listening to music, and be selective and attentive to content when playing music around the child.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Ayn Rand Anthem Paper :: essays papers

Ayn Rand Anthem Paper When born into the world, you are sheltered and nourished. When the appropriate age is reached you begin your schooling. Once your education is complete you are employed and work with complete security in your trade. At forty years of age you retire and spend the rest of your days with your peers, with everything requested provided for you. That is as long as you learn at the same pace as everyone else. If you're too bright you will be punished. And as long as you don't ask too many questions, the overly inquisitive are beaten. As long as you don't care who you are told to sleep with, because we know who your genes are most compatible with. And as long as you don't believe you are any different or any better than anyone else is, because that will cost you your life. You aren't granted a name or an identity or a soul. There are no individuals; there is only the collective. This is the world of Anthem. Ayn Rand composes Anthem in an almost lyrical fashion and the majority of the text embraces poetry more faithfully than it does prose. This does little to affect the storytelling, but it encourages the reader to view the novella as an extended poem which detracts from the seriousness of the piece. Rand presents her tale of a man who dares to make individual choices, to seek knowledge in a dark age, to love the woman of his choice. In a society in which people have no names, no independence, and no values, he is hunted for the unpardonable crime: having the courage to stand above the crowd. Rand's own beliefs and her philosophy are most obviously seen through the protagonist, Equality's, struggles. By having us bear witness to this oppression, her opinion on the detrimental effects of collectivism is projected to us. The world described in Anthem is a primitive one, although it is set in the future. All technological development has been lost, because "What is not done collectively cannot be good," and, "What is not thought by all men cannot be true." (p.81) In this collectivist society, the individual has been lost to assimilation, and all creativity is suppressed. In spite of all of this, Equality has always been different; in the world in which he lives, this is a terrible sin.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Ticket To…Tadcaster

The textual topic I chose was documentary; I made a documentary about a local band called the tickets which was made to target people who are interested in MOD music and the MOD scene, I feel this as been achieved because I have shown my documentary to people who fit this criteria and they commended it as an accurate view of scooter rallies are were interested in the band and seeing them again. As the documentary was aimed at a specific audience, the main ideology had to be linked to the ideology of the target audience (MOD). This ideology is the lifestyle that comes with the music and the accomplishment watching a band ultimately succeed in this style of playing. However my documentary was shot to make the progression from practise to gigging look like a struggle; this was done by mediating the footage. But I think that people watching will feel empathy towards the band, willing for them to succeed, as most people, not just MODS, like to see an underdog come out on top this gives a wider audience for my documentary. Therefore I believe I made the right decision showing my documentary on channel four in the T4 slot on a Sunday morning. As the demographic audience is aged 16-30 and can relate to the band as they are the same ages. I have chosen a televised viewing rather than a cinema viewing for the simple reason that they are more popular judging by the regular scheduling of documentaries and higher viewing figures. I have used diegetic dialogue from the band in the argument sequences in conjunction with non diegetic narration from me to convey an informative style; this narration is a way of directly communicating with the audience to keep them posted of what was going on visually at the time, as most shots were in the same setting. My camera angle during the practise and argument scenes could have been made better by using different angles and editing them all together, instead most of the time you can't see one member of the band even when they are speaking. I used an hand held video camera to shoot the documentary this makes the quality of my documentary poor as at times the camera is quite jerky which diverts the attention from what is happening on screen. If I were to make the documentary again I would use a tripod to keep the camera still. The footage of the band in the small practise room to a huge room full of people represents what I wanted to show in how far they have come to play a successful gig. The clean cut look of the band and also the mise-en-scene of the room they are playing in connotates the look and attitude of MODS which is to be dressed smart and have a no nonsense attitude. Any footage that didn't represent this I edited out. I wanted to make my documentary a form of docu- soap. Recent docu-soaps such as Airport show the same struggle and resolution as mine does. I wanted to make the characters personalities strong and make them fully aware of the camera, to the extent that they â€Å"play up to it†. The audience identification with, and response to, characters is strong just like that of televised docu- soaps. In my opinion the only element in my documentary not consistent to that of a real docu- soap is that there isn't a multitude of characters with different stories all interwoven, this would have been difficult to do as the point of my documentary was to show one story from a certain group of people. At the end of my documentary it fades out with a still frame of the bands faces smiling with a song played over the top this makes people want to know what will happen to the band after they had pulled off such a big gig, I wanted people to ask questions like Will they do any more? What will happen to them now? After talking to people who had watched it these questions were asked. I decided to show fans smiling at the end of my documentary as this shows the enjoyment they've got from watching the band with the song that the band have played â€Å"Can't explain† with lyrics saying â€Å"got a feeling inside can't explain† I believe it fits with the images on screen and will hopefully make the audience smile too. My documentary follows the story of a bands run up to a big gig in a nearly chronological sequence, at the beginning it shows them playing the gig then it flashes back to practicing from then on it is perfectly chronological, I don't think I should have done this as straight away you know that the band make it to the gig and are doing well. I should have maybe showed them doing a smaller gig and made the point of how big the next gig was and the huge jump they had to undertake. I believe I made characters that engage and interest the audience as they are all big personalities that have presence on screen. Also I had a non- character narrator who acts as the storyteller and providing links between the sequences. Although not shown in the documentary I would have liked to have created the documentary under the name Talkback TV as the programs they have made suit the target audience such as musical programs such as Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Bo Selecta, both programs are primarily watched by 16-30 year olds. Also Talkback TV has made a string of documentaries for channel 4 on which my documentary would be shown; they make documentaries that are catered for minority interests and tastes as instructed to do so by law as they have a Public Service charter, as such this documentary about a local band would fit the criteria. Using this institution would also ensure the money needed to professionally film and edit, a large budget isn't needed as big name stars are non existent and not needed in a documentary. The bands ideology is the same ass that of the audience, have a laugh and enjoying themselves whilst still maintaining quality and seriousness but most of all doing it for themselves. The bands ideology fits in well with the ideology of channel 4; the channel on which the documentary would feature. The Public Service charter means that the documentary would be shown to people of minority interests, such as that of a MOD. More specifically the programme would be best scheduled during the T4 slot on a Sunday morning as to target the audience more specifically. With the reputation of music channels such as MTV rising bands are becoming more popular and so in turn documentaries such as â€Å"Making the Band† are too spurring more people on to create their own band. My documentary was made to inspire people of the same age of the band showing the audience the highs and the lows and what was needed to create their own band aspiring to be like The Tickets; this I believe is a new trend within teenage boys and my documentary meets this trend.