Macbeth is a power hungry character on a quest to secure the throne for himself. To effectively do this he must stop those that stand in his way, even those that he is closest with. What does he use as his inspiration? A recent study looked at his Netflix queue to see what he was watching during the time he committed the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff's family. Researches found these titles among the bunch, Breaking Bad, Paranoia, Olympus Has Fallen, and Double Indemnity. Breaking Bad
Breaking Badrevolves around an old teacher, Walter White, and his former student, Jesse Pinkman, in their quest of drugs and crime. After White is diagnosed with cancer he sets out to begin producing and selling meth. Soon he and Jesse become lost in the world of drugs and become addicted to the notion of selling meth, loosing their morals and values along the way. Oddly enough Macbeth loses himself in the world of crime as well. Macbeth recommended this TV show to all of his friends due to the compelling story line and his relation to the plot. He discovered he resembled Walter White and began to embody Walter's motives. Like Walter, Macbeth heard a prophecy that turned his life around. Macbeth's was acquisition of the throne while Walter's was stage three cancer. Both were motivated to pursue crime due to their life altering news. Macbeth pursued murder to achieve the throne while Walter pursued meth production. As both went deeper down the road of crime they both began to become crazed as their morals slowly slipped away. Macbeth found consolation in this TV show and justified his actions of murder by referring to Walter and Jesse. Paranoia
Who doesn't love a film starring Liam Hemsworth?? This was a film that Macbeth really connected to after he murdered King Duncan. Paranoia centers around a man, Adam Cassidy, who becomes big time in the corporate world so he can spy on the action of a rivalry company. As Adam dives deeper into the process of secretly acquiring information he begins to realize he is being watched, constantly. His home, his father's home, and his cell phone were bugged, wired, and televised through all hours of the day and night. This led Adam to living in a constant state of Paranoia, worried that someone was watching his every move. At one point he lashes out and tries to destroy parts of his home to remove the annoying video cameras that followed his every move. After his murder of Duncan Macbeth finds himself in a similar state of Paranoia and, therefore, connects with the character Adam in this film. Macbeth becomes worried that people were suspicious that he was guilty of the murder of Duncan. In return Macbeth becomes paranoid and begins to act out. To try to cover up his murder he lashes out and kills the two chambermaids. He justifies this by saying he was angry that they killed his dear friend Duncan. He knows too much to walk away from the situation, just like Adam in Paranoia, and, therefore, must stick around and pretend to be normal. Acting as if a camera is following him around at all times. This film, found in Macbeth's netflix queue, indicates the paranoia that builds up inside of him due to the crimes he commits. Olympus Has Fallen
Before planning his multitude of murders, Macbeth studied film, Olympus Has Fallen, that is. He did not pay attention to the actions of Speaker Trumbull (played by Morgan Freeman...such a good name!!) but the actions of the terrorists instead. He noted their stealth and methods of killing. This film is about the White House, with President inside, being overrun by a terrorist group. Mike Banning works from the inside to try and save the President and nation from a big disaster. Macbeth did not identify with the actions of Mike Banning or other members of the national security team. He utilizes the tactics of the enemy to form his own plan in murdering Duncan (blood thirsty much??). Inspired by the blood, guts, gore, and multitude of deaths Macbeth became motivated to secure his own seat on the throne. Macbeth utilized a different weapon than the murderers in the film but still ultimately ended up achieving the same goal. He was an inside source, similar to the secret service agent in the White House that aided the enemy. By being close to Duncan it allowed him to easily attack him to achieve his goal. By watching this film it can be noted that Macbeth was extremely blood thirsty and utilized many sources to achieve a method of destruction. It was through this film Macbeth received much of his inspiration. Double Indemnity
A little romance, secrecy, suspicion, and murder. What's not to love about Double Indemnity? This classic film focuses on the actions of the insurance agent Walter Neff (Macbeth must like Walters) as he gets wrapped up in a murder scheme with his lover Phyllis Dietrichson. Phyllis Dietrichson uses her romantic relationship to manipulate Walter Neff to follow her wishes in killing her current husband. He proceeds to act normal following the crime, despite his friend's suspicions. Macbeth watched this film and immediately felt a connection with the main character Walter Neff. He saw his relationship with Lady Macbeth as a reflection of Neff and Dietrichson's. Lady Macbeth influenced Macbeth to commit his first murder, like Phyllis's influence over Walter to carry out the murder of her husband. Female ambition courses through both the film and Macbeth. In addition, Banquo, Macbeth's best friend, began to become suspicious of him and Barton Keyes, Walter Neff's friend, became suspicious of him. He identifies with Walter's character and the troubles that Walter endures throughout the duration of the film. However, Macbeth never broke down to the point of revealing his actions, unlike Walter in Double Indemnity. By watching this film the viewer has a better understanding of the manipulative relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and how easy it is to get caught up in the wrong situation due to love.
During a recent trip to CAM Raleigh I spent time painstakingly looking over art exhibits comprised of pieces of sand paper, painted envelopes, videos of window washing, etc. At first glance many of the exhibits did not hold a lot of value to me, until I was presented with background and allowed the opportunity to dive deep into the piece as a whole. When the "tour guide," first presented my group with the sanded atlas I was surprised that it was even an exhibit. From a distance all I saw were blank pages, nothing of value. I questioned why Agustina Woodgate chose to spend hours upon hours bent over with a piece of sandpaper scrubbing away at the glossy surface of an atlas. I stood there dumbfounded. Why? Why would you waste hours of your life removing the color from a usable book? However, as I moved on to the next exhibit I could not stop thinking about the atlas and its creator.
I stood and examined the Atlas and its contents. The smooth yet dusty pages were covered in the faint lines of country borders, faded blues for bodies of water, and vague identifications of cities and towns. It was in this moment while examining the atlas that I realized this piece held not only artistic value but political value as well. In a society steaming with political conflicts between democrats and republicans, religious groups, cultural groups, cliques, and countries this sanded down atlas proves to be important. What would the world be like without borders? How about a world without conflicts that stem from national boundaries or nationality? Through her hours of sanding Woodgate presents unity by erasing borders and presenting countries that seem to blend into each other. Boundaries that keep people in (or out) are erased. As Woodgate sanded down borders she dissolved the conflicts that come with it. The world as I know it resides in the presence of national borders and separate cultures. I love to think about the world in the future where unity will exist and there will be an erasure of borders, both physical and mental.
Woodgate visually dissolves borders and fuses together countries through the removal of borders. In addition, she presents the end to racial conflicts. All of the colors present in the atlas are subdued. In a normal atlas the colors are vibrant and each country is a different color, to separate each specific shape. This creates separation between the citizens of each country. Woodgate's subdued colors prevent the separation of people and nations.
As I thought of the concept of "A World Without Borders," I was reminded of the organization Doctor's Without Borders. This group provides assistance to people experiencing disasters (both man-made and natural). They act without regard to race, religion, political views, etc. By providing service to other members of the human race, regardless of nationality, they become beacons of hope. Through examining this organization along side Agustina Woodgate's atlas we are presented an idea about what the world can look like when borders are erased.
Cashier: "Welcome to Chick-fil-A, what can I get for you?"
Me: "I would like an eight count meal, please, with Sweet Tea and Chick-fil-A sauce."
I frequent Chick-fil-A and use the same words to order every time. You could say I'm slightly obsessed. Despite always wanting my nuggets and "special sauce," whenever I see a Chick-fil-A add I am instantly intrigued. Chick-fil-A utilizes the idea of gluttony, greed or excess in eating, to draw audiences in. In their 'Lost Cow' commercial visual story telling is used to convey the message that consumers should eat Chick-fil-A. Upon examination of this commercial it can be noted that the sign on the post reads, "Lost Cow...white with black spots..goes by Mabel." There is a women sitting on a bench eating a burger and then a cow shows up. Both of them are in a park and the Sign is duct taped to a pole. This represents a way of advertising used to show local events, wanted signs, or lost signs. There isn't a use of music but instead sounds of birds chirping until a narrator cuts in to tell about the new grilled chicken sandwich. On the surface this ad provides entertainment and a laugh for audiences.
What is this commercial really saying below the surface? Looking at this advertisement deeper the visual storytelling is very detailed. Through the use of everyday noises, birds chirping and wind blowing, it can be communicated that Chick-fil-A is part of ordinary life. While it does taste extraordinary, the consumer does not have to be part of a particular class to enjoy it. As the cow begins to motion towards the poster, leading looks is used to draw the audiences' eye to the poster on the pole. The slight ear move by the cow aids in both the audience and the women featured in the ad realizing that the burger she was eating was "Mabel," who was on the lost poster. As I watched the chicken come off the grill, my mouth began to water. Chick-fil-A is able to awaken the inner desire to chow down on a grilled sandwich, or in my case nuggets. They further this point by saying the viewer should visit grilledlove.com. Further insisting that Chick-fil-A is love. Through the food details, Chick-fil-A communicates gluttony and uses this as tool to persuade viewers to get in their cars and head to their nearest restaurant. In addition, the ad could be communicating that chicken is healthier than beef through the use of a cow and a burger. As I mentioned earlier, this ad targets everyone. Many of the people who buy Chick-fil-A are of the middle class white community because of where their locations are. Jokes are made because they number of "white girls," that enjoy Chicken minis and other food from this fast food place. The women is placed in the center of the shot, accentuating the importance of Chick-fil-A and it provides focus on the burger she is enjoying. The colors used are dull which further communicates the distaste that surrounds eating burgers. As the commercial transitions to showing chicken, the colors become more vibrant. This suggests how Chick-fil-A is better than the competitor. Chick-fil-A has become a popular choice among teenagers and is frequented during lunches and, therefore, it is important for advertisers to keep persuading this group of people to keep coming to their restaurant.
5.) Analyze the author’s use of irony in describing Mr. Brocklehurst’s family in the second passage. How does the author contrast this description with Mr. Brocklehurst’s lecture to Miss Temple to provide social commentary on perceptions of class during this time?
I have always had a head full of curls that protrude every which way. Despite being unruly, I get many complements on my curls. When I was young many people would joke with me and ask if we could switch hair, because they liked mine so much. I, however, felt differently. I wished to be like the other girls with straight hair instead of being the one that stuck out. Now, I embrace the curls and the uniqueness that it brings me. As I read Jane Eyre I immediately became intrigued because Mr. Brocklehurst ridiculed Jane for having curly hair, a style that showed she had assimilated into society. This view is opposite of our society today.
Conforming to society is always an interesting topic especially when the one providing ridicule, in this case Mr. Brocklehurst, is directly linked to a differing view. As Mr. Brocklehurst is lecturing to Miss Temple, and the rest of the girls, his family walks in dressed to the nines in fur, velvet, and fake curls. How interesting! I feel as though it is difficult to try and persuade others to act in a different way if the people you are closest to don't follow these rules. Mr. Brocklehurst and his family suggests hypocrisy and how the higher class has a pompous air of authority. In his explanation of how girls should dress he uses words like modestly and plainly which contrasts his family's description of splendidly attired, profusion, and elaborately to describe their dress. How ironic! This situational irony suggests the corruption of the upper class during this time. Many people preached one thing but practiced another. It was assumed that lower classes had to follow ideas of either the church or society, whichever they identified with, while upper classes had more freedom.
From my time as an infant to middle school I had met one Morgan. I believed my name to be unique, a name that many people did not have. When I entered into middle school I met two other Morgans on the first day of sixth grade. I was so confused. I quickly had one of the names that teachers had to add a last name onto when calling on. I felt as though the uniqueness of my name had been stripped from me. I was no longer the only Morgan but one of three. It was during this time that I realized my name did not determine my uniqueness or individuality.
My name can not be shortened, it's just Morgan. My parents did this with intention. My dad has a habit of creating nicknames for everything and my mom did not want him to be able to shorten my name, she wanted me to be Morgan and only Morgan. My dads calls me "Me-F" because of my initials, mef. I am thankful that my name can not be shortened because I enjoy not having to go by another name. Throughout the past year many people have provided me with nicknames, finding ways of using the roots of my name. Morgz (with a s or z), Morgzan, Mo Flo, and Mo Mo have been used. None of these nicknames sound as nice as Morgan. It just becomes awkward when one tries to break down Morgan because it can not be done easily.
The name Morgan is from Celtic or Old English descent. It can be used for a girl or guy, but is most popularly used for girls in the United States. In many places Morgan means lives by the sea. Physically I do not live by the sea but I find peace while in coastal areas and the sea reminds me of adventures and times spent with friends and family. This meaning can describe me because of my love of the sea and everything that moves in it. Some researchers say that people with the name Morgan have a need for quiet, need to analyze the world around them, need to learn deep truths, and need adventure. This describes me in a nutshell. I hunger for all types of adventure and I am constantly searching for ways of making mundane activities adventurous. In addition, I spend a lot of time thinking about the world around me and analyzing everything around me. Morgan fits me perfectly, I could not imagine being called anything else.
Being an individual within a group can be difficult. I struggle with when to be an individual and when to blend in as part of a group. As a part of the dance company at Millbrook I have experienced this conflict. During some pieces the choreographer may decide to insert improv. When this happens directions are normally given about the dynamics. The improv may need to be sudden or sustained and at a high, medium, or low level. It is imperative that each individual follows these guidelines because otherwise attention will be drawn to one person. Every move by each individual is unique and all together there is a sense of continuity because of the consistent style used. It is during these times that it is easy to be an individual that is part of a group as a whole. However, when you are not given the solo in the dance or are not positioned in the front of the stage it can be easy to lose the sense of community and only become centered on yourself. Attitude is everything and when you hold a positive attitude it becomes possible to exist as a unique individual part of a larger group.
We are the Other. Walter, 38th & Chicago Bus Stop, South Minneapolis, MN. By Wing Young Huie (2012).
Upon the examination of this picture it can be noted that the sign the man is holding reads, "Equality for the Undocumented." He is sitting on a bench at what looks to be a bus stop. Most of the time, multiple people can be found at one bus stop at any particular time; however, in this photograph the man is sitting alone. The area around him looks nice and the clothes he wears are normal street attire. When first looking at this picture it can be gathered that the man is alone and he seems upset. After diving deeper into the meaning of the photograph, the audience gathers more about both the person and subject at hand. The way in which the picture was taken communicates an enormous amount. The left side of the picture is open, full of trees and other flora, in the middle there is a pole, and on the right is the man seated between the pole and the end of the frame. The pole symbolizes the divide between the free and the Undocumented. The open space, on the left, represents those who have equality while everything on the right represents those who are fighting for equality. Wing Young Huie immediately draws the audience's attention to the man by placing he and his sign in an area that agrees with the Rule of Thirds. Through the positioning of people and scenery Wing Young Huie communicates that there is a division between undocumented and documented people within the United States. Margaret Atwood presents "othering," in The Handmaid's Tale through the use of color while Wing Young Huie communicates "othering," through layout. Atwood uses descriptions of color to convey the differences between the women in society. Specifically, Handmaids are set apart from the other women in Gilead society because of their attire. The Handmaids can be found in all red. Red is a dominate color that stands out in a crowd, therefore, drawing attention to the Handmaids and setting them apart from the other women in society. "Othering," is the idea of believing someone to be different than you and not a member of your group. In reality, however, every individual is unique and each person contributes equally to society. In the Wing Young Huie example the "othering," surrounds undocumented and documented Americans. Regardless of whether or not an individual is a citizen, in most cases, documented and undocumented individuals contribute equally to the community. Wing Young Huie challenges the idea, through a simple photograph, of separating the undocumented citizens from the rest of American society. As mentioned earlier, the way the photo is laid out suggests the divide in society. The solemn look on the man's face further communicates how the actions or words of others can create separations, and the pain that many feel because of this. Atwood and Huie challenge their audiences to think about how opinions, actions, words, and deeds can deeply affect another person.
