Research

3. deepen your understanding of the seven Concepts

The ad deepened my understanding of the 7 core elements in several ways. Firstly, I questioned the role communication has in society in terms of engforce stereotypes. A typical example would be connecting the word gay with something bad - making it seem that being homosexual itself is bad.

Not only communism, money and power

Liberation and equality 

Enclosure acts - people were free and then had to follow the rules of others 

The system is based on knowing your place 

Habitus

The absurd opposition between individuals and society

How can behaviour be regulated without being the product of 

Organizes us

Should one talk of a rule

Objective possibility 

Habitus is a strategy to enter 

Determines whats un/reasonable 

History codified into practice

Benefits in certain environments by acting certain ways

The ways you act isn’t always in your own benefit because its historic

Those who are victims of a system but are embedded so deeply into it, they still fight for it

How can people be convinced of something that is harmful for them

A dominant group uses culture to dominate

Media supporting status quo 

Power is reinforced through stories and 

Answers 

What is the attitude towards “her”? 

What role do the swans play so far in narrative? 

Symbol: The Swans

Helmer: Well; out with it. 

Nora [quickly]: You could give me money, Torvald. Only as much as you feel you can afford; and then I’ll buy something with it over the next few days. The classical men’s role as a provider, with the woman using sex appeal to achieve her wishes, is portayed Can you be specific re: where you see N exploiting her femininity & sexuality here? Another support quote is needed to “prove” this fully, really…

Nora: Yes, Torvald, I can’t get anywhere without your help. The common trope of the man being a savior and a helpless wife is displayed here Good. Can you comment on the irony of this in the light of what N’s done to “save” Torvald from his illness, & how inadequate Torvald will ultimately be when Nora really does hope for him to step in & “save” her (ie. when, towards the end, she expects him to take the blame for her forgery)?

Gatsby himself is the personification of portraying himself as something that he really isn’t - a part of the upper class. Although he gains significant amounts of wealth through various legal and illegal trades such as bootlegging, he remains an outsider. On one hand, there is the established aristocracy living in the East Egg, including characters such as the Buchanans. These are old money families who know how to handle their wealth, translating it into tasteful and stylish lifestyles as Nick describes “fashionable” East Egg to be a place of  “white palaces” where people are rich enough to bring a string of polo ponies with him. Daisy Buchanan is a part of this elegant community, seemingly out of reach for Gatsby who himself is solely from a poor farmer’s family out of the midwest. Nevertheless, to rekindle their old youths’ love, Gatsby is determined to change his persona to win her back from her husband Tom. He works hard, rewrites his own history and amasses enough wealth to buy a mansion on West Egg and throw lavish parties in hopes of winning the upper classes, and therefore Daisy’s approval. He makes a point out of not revealing that he earned his money through bootlegging, but is in fact, an established, respectable man who attended Oxford given that it’s his family’s tradition. 

Fitzgerald provides several clues throughout the text to the reader whether Gatsby is established upper class or not, however, especially his catch phrase “old sport” reveals his pretentious identity. In an attempt to sound like an established Oxford man, he repeatedly calls people “old sport” including Tom during the confrontational scene. However, it becomes apparent that he isn’t in fact an Oxford alumni, but only attended a few months after his army service. Gatsby also portrays books in his library to appear educated, however, these maintain “uncut”, indicating that he never actually read them. 

Ibsen’s work revolves around Nora and her different relationships with men in her life. For one, there is her Husband Torvald, who at the beginning she appears to love as she is infatuated with the idea of producing a loving family-Christmas celebration. Over the course of the play, it becomes apparent that she was following ulterior motives in her relationship. She is not the “spending bird” as she is portrayed, but rather uses her money to repay loans. Her character is much more than what the reader thinks at first. 

To maintain her appearance she has to maintain a facade.  The picture Torvald has of Nora, as an obeying and at the time following social norms, is significantly different to the reality of her character. This, however, is revealed in the conclusion of the play in which she discloses her “real” self and walks away from Torvald.

In conclusion, both works revolve around characters that maintain an appearance that is different from their true self, used to achieve personal goals which aren’t attainable through their persona without altering reality. Gatsby has to portray himself as part of the established upper class and attempts to do so by buying himself into their circles. Nora submissively follows the social norms for women at the time to maintain economic aid to pay of her debts, and once finalized, she can go back to what her reality is. Authors use content and diction to portray things different to what they really are. 

Jim is also living in the past (former glory)

Jim is the “ideal gentleman caller” in a high school setting (modern gentleman caller)

Billowing white curtains

Amanda sister laura

Jim is described as the high school hero, however, his current position, certainly below the expectations others had of him, underlines how in the present he failed to live up to them. 

Tom 

Amanda

Laura 

The theme of love and its role in the build-up of characters of different genders is constantly found in literature. It also exists in the realistic play A Doll’s House, written by Henrick Ibsen and first performed in 1879, as well as in The Glass Menagerie, a memory play written by Tennesse Williams and premiered in 1944. In both these works, “Love” defines and affects the actions of characters. However, the extent of it differs between men and women. The question is to interpret to what extent the statement that love is a woman's whole existence and solely a small part of men’s life holds true in the two works chosen.  Williams stark contrast of utilizing characters which are clearly defined by their love, may that be parental or sexual, to characters that care little about love, is a strategy that confirms this, whereas, Ibsen goes against the cultural norms of his time and presents characters that transgress their roles, painting them holistically and underlining how love is not the sole factor in their identity. 

Ibsen’s use of stock-characters and their unexpected roles shows how both men and women are defined by more than just their love. Krogstadt, initially perceived as the stereotypical villain who blackmails the protagonist, is portrayed as more than just that and actually a man of legitimate reasons and emotions. In Act 1, his visit to Nora to inform her of his looming dismissal and subsequent request she talks to Torvald, causes Nora to become frightened, seen through her loss of words at stages and the stage direction saying “she’s on the verge of tears”. This paints the image of the stock villain. However, the audience gains empathy for Krogstad as his actions are motivated by love for his sons: “​​My sons are growing up: for their sake, I must try to regain what respectability I can”. Ibsen builds a character that shows that men act out of parental love and are not solely motivated by financial or reputation reasons. 

Similarly, Amanda’s parental love for her children is an essential part of her identity to the extent that she wishes for their “happiness and success” before having any personal wishes. This is apparent throughout the play (and not only in the moon scene) as Amanda continuously puts her children’s success before her own. Her role as a loving mother is underlined through the symbolic use of music in the play, playing “Ave Maria”. The reference to Ave Maria who was also a loving mother who committed her life to her son, showcases that love, in this case for her children, plays a very large role in women's lives. 

The love both Torvald and Amanda have for their children shows that love is an essential factor in a parents life. However, Ibsen including this aspect of Krogstad shows that love is not only “a thing apart” for men and thus the statement’s validity is decreased. Nevertheless, Amanda and her commitment to her children shows how it is a considerable part of her existence, which shares the statement’s view. 

On the other hand, the lack of compassion in men is illustrated through Tom’s priority to join the merchant marines. Unlike Amanda, Tom does not reveal what he wishes for from the moon, however, the audience may interpret his silence as a sign of guilt, given that he would have to leave his family if he were to join the navy. That his priorities lie in his future as a merchant marine and not in the well-being of his family becomes especially apparent during the visit of Jim. The audience is told that he does not take the money his mother gave him to pay the light bill but rather uses it for his inscription for his future job. His success is more important to him than the love he has for his family and thus, Williams demonstrates that love is indeed only “a thing apart” men’s existence. 

That love is not a woman’s whole existence is entirely captured in the persona of Nora in A Doll’s House. Ibsen’s transgression of cultural norms and stereotypes for women displays how women are more than their allocated roles in the family and household. Both Mrs Linde and Nora are women working and earning their own money, which they are proud of. Especially Nora says she can finally feel “like being a man” when she tells Mrs Linde of her work. This showcases the criticism of gender barriers and women being limited to their role in a household. Nora’s identity is at first shaped by these allocated roles as she fulfills Torvald’s expectations to be a submissive wife through her playing along to his sexualised names he playfully calls her. However, she overcomes those limits of only being a mother and wife when she leaves in order to make her own living and educate herself given that that is a “duty higher than that of wife or mother”. That love, and role as a wife, is not her entire existence is made clear when she says that she is “first and foremost a human being”. 

In conclusion, the fact that love is a large factor in determining a character's identity is made clear throughout both works of literature. However, that love is only “a thing apart” a man’s existence is refuted by Torvald who clearly has strong emotions and love for both his children and Mrs Linde as well. Although Williams paints the character of Tom as strongly driven by his aspirations in his job, his thoughts remain with his family, as evidenced by the fact that he feels the need to tell this story. Amanda is certainly defined by love as all she can think and talk about is either the memory of her gentlemen callers or finding a gentleman caller for Laura. That her deepest wishes are for her beloved children to find success and happiness is evidence that love is her whole existence. However, Nora refutes that this is the case for all women, as she is the personification of the complexity of woman and how love is not her whole existence. 

2) Know at least 15 relevant details relating to its context, perfectly expressed in as few words as possible for it (for example, or Duffy, the "Madonna/whore dichotomy", Hannah Arendt's "the banality of evil", gendered language; for Doll , the "bourgeoisie", "the Angel in the House",  the "New Woman"...; for Gatsby, who coined the term "American Dream; Prohibition...)

3) For each main character, be confident you know enough to write a detailed essay of 1.5 sides of typed A4 on them & them alone, including all key facts/actions/words/relationships/shifts/quotes etc.

4) For each main theme, be confident you know enough to write a detailed essay of 1.5 sides of typed A4 on this & this alone, including all relevant facts/actions/words/relationships/shifts/quotes etc.

5) List every single minor character, & at least 3 "facts/details" about each one of these (for example, for Gatsby, Meyer Wolfsheim's appearance), as well as 3 analytical points you make about each one of these in an essay (for example, for Doll, how Ann-Marie's used by Ibsen).

6) List every single symbol or motif, & at least 3 points you make about each one of these in an essay.

7) For each text, list at least 5 technical terms you could use relating to form, structure & genre (for example, for Duffy, "the white male canon", "dramatic monologue", "fable"; for Menagerie, "plastic theatre", "expressionism"...

8) For each text, list up to 15 "technical terms" (or similar) that you could use in relation to it, making sure you understand & could analyse at least each 2 key examples of each one one (for example, for Menagerie, props, screen device, legend, spotlight, portières, fourth wall; for Duffy, caesura, enjambment, line, stanza, end-stopped...)

Characters: 

The Great Gatsby

Jay Gatsby: 

Nick Carraway: 

Daisy Buchanan: 

Jordan Baker: 

Tom Buchanen:

Myrtle Wilson 

George Wilson: 

Meyer Wolfsheim

Owl Eyes

Ewing Klipspringer

Dan Cody

Henry Gatz

Themes: 

 

How is it represented in quotes: 

The green light is an important symbol in the book representing several things. One of them being the American Dream: Green is the color of the dollar, It is what Gatsby longs for the entire time the same way americans long for a rise in their social class. 

Symbolic of the surging economy at the time. Nick also pays particular attention to the food’s aesthetic qualities, such as the salads’ “harlequin designs” (meaning they have a colorful pattern) and the meats that have been “bewitched to a dark gold.” With these descriptions, Nick frames the food as material goods dressed up in rich colors and precious metals, which speaks to the material opulence of the 1920s.

Owl Eye’s assumption that the books would be fake seems like commentary on the 1920s more

generally—that is, that things look better than they actually are during this time. Owl Eye’s sheer wonder at Gatsby’s book collection implies that in the 1920s, everyone and everything is a sham, much like a cardboard dummy of a book spine: good looking on the outside, empty on the inside. Ironically, this is true of Gatsby, as readers will soon find out. His entire persona as Jay Gatsby is carefully curated to obscure his real origins.

“He wants her to see his house,” she explained. “And your house is right next door.”

That Gatsby specifically wants Daisy to see his house and be impressed by it also sets up his mansion’s

symbolic significance. The huge, grand home symbolizes Gatsby’s enduring love for Daisy and how desperate he is for her attention and approval. All the relationships are transactional and the big house is needed for Gatsby to showcase his wealth.

Furthermore, the author’s use of pathos through both similes and alliterations provides an opportunity to create a vivid image of Crimea that is appealing to the reader’s emotions. As the author describes Crimea as a place which imperial rulers, “Roman to Russians”, were fond of, creates a sense of desire. Through the simile of mountains which “try to carry [crimea] away into the open sea”, this sense of desire is further exemplified. Thus, the reader senses the need to visit the peninsula before someone else, may that be imperial rulers or the wind, take it away. 

Nevertheless, the author's use of descriptive, figurative language does not solely serve the purpose of advertising, but also to visualize the location to the reader. Through phrases such as tartares living “surrounded by limestone plateaus”, and a coast which is covered by “lush subtropical vegetation”, the author enables the reader to concretely visualize the peninsula. Certainly, the adjectives used maintain a positive connotation, yet are very explicit in representing the visual aspect of the geographical landscape. 

Mix cultures understand Line 10 alliteration volition to listen problems

Editions: 150 signed, 500 unsigned

Criticism of “military-industrialist complex” as capitalism is linked to warfare, impact of colonialism, and occupation

Pulitzer Prize-winning image - “The Terror of War”, taken in the Vietnam war 1972”

The image of the two figures, holding the girl’s hands, appear to be innocent and not guilty of any wrongdoing, however, in regards to the fearful and desperate look on the girls face it is clear that the two figures, Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse- representing American consumerism, are guilty. 

Two symbols 

The victim is extracted from her original context, and placed juxtaposed between the corporate faces of Walt Disney and McDonalds. 

Through the symbols Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse, who represent the corporations 

“Banksy manipulates the aesthetics and ideology of the image at the juncture of consumer

capitalism and democratic idealism. Utilizing a guerilla tactic Banksy flips the direction of

laughter from the consumer directly back at The Advertisers and thus revealing the thread of

irony. Ultimately, Banksy achieves this by directly assaulting the viewers’ senses through the

interplay of aesthetics with ideology.” 

“Banksy critiques the American consumer culture, warning of the excess of capitalism, and its impact on the population, especially children” 

Alternative title “Can’t Beat That Feeling” , reference to Coca Cola slogan, further criticizing large American corporations and consumerism  

The absence of color creates an underlying depressive feeling of those who partake in the ‘rat race’. 

By placing the rat in a closed circle on a clock, Banksy expresses how there is no escape from the rat race.