How Popular Fiction Reflects Debates About Gender and...

For the last few decades it is argued to what extent popular fiction reflects such things as social changes in our society and topical debates. In this paper I will discuss to what extent popular fiction reflects debates about gender and sexuality. Moreover, I will look at the difference between postfeminism and third-wave feminism, afterwards I will more closely look at Candace Bushnells book Sex and the City (1996) and relate the books ideas about woman and womans sexuality to postfeminism and third-wave feminism ideas. I will also look at cyber-feminism in relation to another chick lit - Helen Fieldings book Bridget Joness Diary (1996). In my opinion, popular fiction reflects almost everything what happens in the contemporary†¦show more content†¦To my mind, Bushnells book is and definitely were empowering for women. It encourages women to be in charge of their own lives. It has been argued that for great number of women Bushnells heroines are a role model how to live their lives, how to treat themselves and also men. Firstly, one of the ideas that is in Sex and the City and comes from third-wave feminism is that feminists can wear lip-stick, high-heals, and low cut necklines and feel like women, but not sexual objects. Pinkfloor (2005: p.20) emphasises: â€Å"It’s possible to have a push-up bra and a brain at the same time.† To my mind, it is an important point to make, because one can still be a feminist and at the same time be comfortable with their sexuality. What is more, it is an outstanding theme throughout the Bushnells book also. Bushnells heroines are confident women in all spheres of their lives, and about their sexuality as much about work or relationships. They can go to the sex club for new experiences (Sex and the City: p.10-16) or dance topless on the bar (Sex and the City: p.88-95). At the same time they have successful and respectable careers – a columnist, English journalist, movie producer, cable executive, banker and there are mentioned many more. The book also carries a strong message of female competition, which is characteristic of postfeminism. What is more, searchingShow MoreRelatedLiterary Review of Sexuality and Gender in Science Fiction Literature3057 Words   |  13 Pagesmultiple information sources to examine issues of gender and sexuality within science fiction literature. None of these sources claim to have produced a conclusive work on the interpretation of gender and sexuality in SF. Some of what I have read seems to be a general overview while some is more focused, but everything clearly references other theorists, studies and texts to back up the arguments made. 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Sample answer: Sociologists may appear to study conditions that are obvious, but by making the familiar strange, they are able to move beyond commonsense reasoning and use evidence to really understand a topic. For example, students will say that they planRead MoreSAT Top 30 Essay Evidence18536 Words   |  75 Pagescivil rights icon).......................................................................................... 25 Muhammad Ali (â€Å"The Greatest† boxer of all time) .................................................................................. 27 Fiction and Literature: Hamlet by William Shakespeare (â€Å"To be? Or not to be?†) ...................................................................... 29 Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (Witches, Wizards, and Muggles!) .....................................Read MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. 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The Relationship Between Culture and Technology Essay

The Relationship Between Culture and Technology The relationship between technology and culture is cyclical. Logically, a culture will develop technologies based on the needs or desires of the people, because this is where the creative influences lie. As this technology spreads and is absorbed into the people’s lives, it affects their culture and way of life. This change in lifestyle can also occur when a technology developed outside a culture is introduced into the culture, providing an external influence. As Paul Ehrlich explains, there are technological evolutions and associated cultural evolutions, and they do not necessarily occur concurrently. Ehrlich [believes] that, in our modern era, technology is evolving faster than†¦show more content†¦land, water, women). Thus culture – warfare – is affected by technology, and the needs that it creates. Technology is developed as a way to further a way of life, thus making common tasks easier, if not simpler. It doesn’t make sense for a culture to invent something that is not relevant or useful. Technologies are determined by a culture’s â€Å"demands and preoccupations,† and depend on the existing environment of the society. (Teresi) For example, nomadic cultures have no use for architecture or other developments of a non-mobile life, but in 1600 BCE the chariot was a welcome addition to daily life. (Chant) In China in the 11th century, Tseng Kung-Lang published a formula for gunpowder, following centuries of his people’s interest in explosions, eruptions and colorful displays of fireworks. (Teresi) Eskimos developed harpoons with detachable heads, so that, upon killing a seal, the shaft would float to the surface of the sea and simplify retrieval of the seal (Ehrlich). The time-consuming activity of seal hunting was often the Eskimos’ only source of food, and so it was important to develop a technology that was not wasteful. In the Indus Valley in the third millennium BC, a people developed who were more interested in organized cities than in temples or warfare. Artifacts found there include seals, beads, and ceramics, but there is no evidence of warfare. (Teresi) More warlike cultures leave artifacts such as spears, shields and helmets.Show MoreRelatedEssay on The Relationship Between Technology and Human Culture2844 Words   |  12 PagesThe Relationship Between Technology and Human Culture Human culture and technology are continually co-evolving in a dynamic relationship. All technologies (See Note 1) develop in a particular cultural context as the result of changing needs or constraints. But once developed, a technology changes the culture that gave it birth. When a technology spreads to another culture, the cultural context affects the speed or way in which the technology is adopted and how it is used. 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Improving The Progress Of The Goal - 978 Words

It is crucial for targets to be measurable in order to monitor and evaluate the progress of the goal. They also require a target date of completion. Target 7.1 is not a measurable target because we cannot calculate its progress. The language used is very vague. For instance, it states the access to affordable energy services but who will determine what price is considered affordable. Target 7.2 is not a truly measurable target because the language is also quite vague and we cannot evaluate if progress is being made. Essentially, it does not have definable parameters on how the energy will be equally shared. Target 7.3 is a measurable target. Measuring the variations of the rate will determine its progress and improvements. Target 7.a is†¦show more content†¦(Pachauri et al., 2013) Basically, not enough research and efforts have been implemented into this target to begin measuring its progress. Many countries have already invested in renewable energy technologies to provide electricity to their populations. Therefore, target 7.2 is being measured. For instance, De Jong, Sanchez, Esquerre, Kalid Torres conducted research to study the efficiency of wind and solar energy in Brazil. Their results indicated that these renewable energies could manage the electrical grid requirements in â€Å"an efficient and more environmentally friendly manner than fossil fuel power plants† (De Jong et al., 2013). Energy needs to be efficient in order to achieve sustainability. Countless objects such as appliances and vehicles are now designed to consume less energy. Many countries have also introduced efficient standards. For instance, â€Å"Malaysia implement[ed] an energy efficiency standard for refrigerator-freezers† (Mahlia, Masjuki, Rahman Amalina, 2004). Therefore, this target is being measured in countries through their use and implementation of energy efficient practices. During the past years, clean energy is increasingly being researched. An example of a clean energy technology is a â€Å"rice husk power generating system† because it produces far less green house gas emissions compared to fossil fuel power plants (Afzal, Mohibullah, Sharma, 2011).

A Comparison of Two Paintings from the Renaissance Period Essay Example For Students

A Comparison of Two Paintings from the Renaissance Period Essay Here, these two paintings have similar themes both at the extreme beginnings and endings of the Italian Renaissance, and as such they river to present an exceptional example of the developments in art that occurred Within that time. This paper shall compare these two paintings through addressing a series of questions on the subject. Subject Matter or Iconography Madonna Enthroned is the earlier Of the two works to be surveyed in this paper, and as such there is a great deal more popularity surrounding this work. The image is simple: The subject matter is religious and concerns a host of holy figures surrounding the Madonna with an infant figure of Christ on her lap. Madonna and Child with SST. John the Baptist and Angel is similar in that other LOL figures are gathered to pay their respects to Christ but the scene is more open and less focused on just the two central figures. Madonna and Child in my opinion is therefore a more complex composition, where instead of having two recognizable figures in the Christian religion, there are three and an angel. In Madonna and Child, the other religious figure of SST. John the Baptist is also allowed to stand near the holy mother and child, and an angel is present. Because of this, the viewer contends with a literal story rather than a simple image as in Madonna Enthroned. Also in Polios image, where the central usuries are larger and better seen, there are religious symbols used. The same might be true in Gustos work but the details are harder to distinguish. Visual Form and Style The style and the form Of these two paintings reflect the development Of the artistic techniques during the Italian Renaissance. While both reflect a Biblical theme With a central focal point Of the Madonna and Child, Madonna Enthroned has a key image that is best viewed from a central position and Madonna and Child has a greater degree Of importance over the majority Of the surface of the canvas. In Madonna and Child] the viewer does not perceive hat an image is being forced upon them as is found in the work by Ghetto. A use of light and space is also key to preventing the Puling piece from being forced, where the organization of distance visibly removes the viewer from Madonna Enthroned while drawing the viewer into the painting in Madonna and Child Color also serves a similar purpose, where Gustos work is monochromatic but ocher while Polios work carries a greater expression through the detail involved. The mood Of these two pieces is remarkable in that color does not play as great an importance as the figures surrounding the focal point of the Madonna and Child. These figures are both essential to the composition Of the piece, but in Madonna Enthroned the viewer is left thinking that the Madonna and Child are truly untouchable. The mood of this piece, while certainly not dark, does not inspire any. Even the angels by either side are careful not to come near the holy woman and child. In Madonna and Child] however, the entire composition is subject to accessibility, where the mood is light and extremely pleasant. Finally, the faces in both pieces are of particular note, where in Madonna Enthroned the faces of the Madonna and the Christ child look as though they are made of tone. It is difficult to see the faces tooth other figures as clearly, but there is no visible emotion on their faces, The piece by puling is a sharp contrast, where the figures all appear to be content To consider Polios figures as being emotionally happy might be impossible, but it is evident that those in the picture are at peace. .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 , .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .postImageUrl , .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 , .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73:hover , .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73:visited , .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73:active { border:0!important; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 { 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; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73:active , .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .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; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73 .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u829df801f15a684fc3e650d3c9c6fd73:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Ejti Stih De Fernandez De Cordova EssayI personally come away with a large measure of respect for the Ghetto piece but can connect more with Madonna and Child Conclusion As noted in the Introduction, these two pieces can be seen as presenting an astonishing look at the effect that the Italian Renaissance had on the placement of painting. The work by Ghetto is representative of the earliest stages Of the Renaissance, where art was accomplished mainly to provide the viewer with a glimpse at the divine. As such, the majority of art from that era featured either Biblical scenes or the artists wealthy patron. In contrast, the paintings found at the end of the Renaissance, such as Madonna and Child with SST. John the Baptist and an Angel, are far more open in terms of what was acceptable in the artistic community. The brief centuries of the Renaissance had provoked an interest in perspective and composition, meaning that Polios piece can be seen as having a greater sense of artistic merit. Madonna and Child has more depth and movement, and the viewer perceives human characteristics in the figures presented therein. In Conclusion these paintings do indeed reflect the historical and artistic climate of the period. The choice of these pieces as demonstrating the wide range of changes that occurred during the Renaissance is perfect: Viewers of these two distinctive works of art have a visual demonstration of the development of art and painting during a relatively brief period of time.