Pygmalion. It is the desire to obtain an education, or at least the appearance of one that takes Eliza to Dr. Henry Higgins house
Matthew Fisher Instructor Scrafford Essay One Final Draft September 9, 2012 “Eliza Doolittle and Dreams of The Manner Born” One of the great social satirist of his time, George Bernard Shaw often wrote of the social and class issues that plagued Great Britain in the years before World War One. It was during those years, under the reign of Queen Victoria, which saw Great Britain expand her empire to all the corners of the globe. With this expansion, came great wealth for many, as well as hardening of the lines of class distinction. These lines, or barriers, made it very difficult for a member of the middle class to join the ranks of the upper. And if it was difficult for the middle class to move upwards, it was nearly impossible for the lower class to move up to the middle class. Already greatly marginalized by rigid social barriers, the lower class struggled to survive in slums concentrated in London. Among those already marginalized, was a group of those even more marginalized: the lower class woman. Faced with a life of great hardship, brought on by a lack of means and most importantly the lack of an education, the lower class woman in Victorian England faced a life of grim prospects. With nearly no help from the government, in the form of such social programs that exist now, she had few avenues open to her, not just to move upwards or forwards, but to merely
Caplan is a theatre critic. She argued that "The Crucible" is sexist in its portrayal of women. Consider Miller's presentation of female characters. How far do you agree with Caplan's view?
Caplan is a theatre critic. She argued that "The Crucible" is sexist in its portrayal of women. Consider Miller's presentation of female characters. How far do you agree with Caplan's view? I am of the opinion that Miller's portrayal of women is sexist but not to the same extent as Betty Caplan because I am also of the opinion that Miller grants abstract authority to women, their power is entirely un-tangible it lies at the heart of every mans desire. In The Crucible it is the men of the court who are given actual power and authority i.e. they sentence suspected witches to be hung. As Caplan says, "The battle in Salem was about a petrified male theocracy which felt threatened by women." What they were in fact afraid of was the persistent denial of their own sexual feelings towards women. Caplan also goes on to state that the authors of Malleus Maleficarium noted, "These men were extremely agitated at the prospect that witches may work some Prestidigitatory illusion so that the male organ appears to be entirely removed and separate from the body". If that is not granting women power what is. The ability to strip mans identity from him is what constitutes the bulk of Puritan fears. Parris and proctor alike feel that if they were to surrender their feelings to women they would also be surrendering a part of themselves, which they did not want to give up. Miller's presentation
Death of a Salesman - the American Dream
Death of a Salesman 'The American Dream´ is based on the 'Declaration of Independence´: 'We believe that all men are born with these inalienable rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.´ (Thomas Jefferson, 1776). This 'dream´ consists of a genuine and determined belief that in America, all things are possible to all men, regardless of birth or wealth; you work hard enough you will achieve anything. However, Miller says people have been 'ultimately misguided´. The origins of the American Dream seem to have been rooted in the pioneering mentality of the 18th and 19th century immigrants, most of whom came to America because of a promise of a new and better life. In particular, the opportunity to own one´s land. But land 'ran out´ and so cities developed and massive variations arose in wealth, which meant that this 'American Dream´ changed from being a potential reality, into being a dream, like the name implies. Most of Miller´s plays are directly or indirectly about the American Dream, because ultimately this dream wasn´t going to succeed as lots of people wished. 'Death of a Salesman´ written in 1949, is a moving destruction of the whole myth. To be hard working, honest and have ambition were the ways of the American Dream. This lead onto success, wealth and in due time - power. But this dream for everyone developed, and encouraged greed, selfish
Evans-Pritchard's Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic among the Azande tells us little about the occult but a great deal about common sense and morality in close personal relationships. Do you agree?
7th of November 2003 Evans-Pritchard's Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic among the Azande tells us little about the occult but a great deal about common sense and morality in close personal relationships. Do you agree? Support your opinion by discussing some of Evans - Pritchard's main arguments about Azande witchcraft. By Edward Skinner Word Count: 1868 To answer an essay like this, it is first important to understand the term 'witchcraft' in the same way as the Azande people of Southern Sudan. Witchcraft to the Azande is a physical substance that is found in the stomachs of witches (page 2). Evans - Pritchard explains that he believes this 'substance' is simply the small intestine during certain stages of digestion. Witches do not show any external signs that they are indeed witches. More than simply being a physical trait, witchcraft is inherited (page 2). It is handed down in families from father to son, and from mother to daughter. The witchcraft a witch possess grows as the individual grows (page 7), that is to say the son of a male witch, whilst containing this witchcraft substance, will not contain enough to be of threat to an adult. It is only when they get older, and when the witchcraft substance they contain begins to grow that they can become a possible threat to other adults. It is important to note that to the Azande a witch is an unremarkable agent. Referring
Death of a salesman - What are the dramatical devices that miller uses to show the disintegration of wily Loman?
Death of a salesman What are the dramatical devices that miller uses to show the disintegration of wily Loman? Death of a sales man is a satire about the "American dream" and it's flaws and prejudice nature to the people who have surpassed their point of usefulness to the American system. The people who have passed their sell by date. Wily Loman is an image of the failures of the American dream as he is not a success and yet he has lived his life by the rules of it. Miller shows Willy's disintegration in numerous ways using sound and most of the other dramatical devices. 'The American Dream' is based on the 'Declaration of Independence': 'We believe that all men are born with these inalienable rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' (Thomas Jefferson, 1776). This 'dream' consists of a genuine and determined belief that in America, all things are possible to all men, regardless of birth or wealth; you work hard enough you will achieve anything. However, Miller says people have been 'ultimately misguided'. The origins of the American Dream seem to have been rooted in the pioneering mentality of the 18th and 19th century immigrants, most of whom came to America because of a promise of a new and better life. In particular, the opportunity to own one's land. Nevertheless, land 'ran out' and so cities developed and massive variations arose in wealth, which meant
Consider how one character other than Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman and one character (including the chorus) other than Oedipus in King Oedipus contribute to the 'action' of each of these plays.
"Linda is in Action, she's not just sitting around" (Arthur Miller). Consider how one character other than Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman and one character (including the chorus) other than Oedipus in King Oedipus contribute to the 'action' of each of these plays. Before looking at any individual characters or even plays, one must first look at the term 'action' and the different meanings or connotations it can have or suggest. In theatrical terms, there is a huge difference between plays that portray their action through physical action and plays that portray their action through the spoken word. Both types of play could be said to be 'action packed' but they convey their action in very different ways. Some people argue that 'actions speak louder than words', this was certainly true in the theatre of the nineteenth century, though that is only one period of theatre history. There are periods in theatre, both before and after the age of melodrama, that did not place such importance on the use of physical action. In Greek Theatre, tragedies such as 'Oedipus the King' were performed in huge amphitheatres, playing to audiences of thousands. This made it hard to include much physical action as it simply would not be seen by the audience unless it was a huge physical spectacle which would have been expensive and difficult to produce. Therefore, Greek Theatre laid more
Examine how Arthur Miller creates a sense of dramatic tension in the final scene
Examine how Arthur Miller creates a sense of dramatic tension in the final scene As an American playwright, Miller bases his play; 'View from a Bridge', in the working class docks of slum New York in the 1950s. During World War Two Miller worked as a ship fitter for two years in the Brooklyn Navy shipyard, where a 'near majority of the workers were Italian' and where he 'made connections with their family concerns...(which were) full of Sicilian dramas.' Thus, he derived a wealth of inspiration from his experiences and cultural surroundings. Among the issues Miller addressed in this piece of drama were the social changes that erupted over this period of time, construing a growing conflict between old established ideals and the new. Eddie, a character whom holds to a former position of undisputed head, as the family breadwinner, cannot grasp or prevent the increasing independence that women, previous shadows "of subservience and exclusive domesticity, were beginning to experience. This newfound female autonomy is reflected in the character of Catherine, as throughout the play she begins to'" direct her own life and break away from the conformity of Eddie's control. The dramatist also covers the political topic, or in his eyes governmental failure, of the problem of illegal immigrants and "the underlying causes of general inequality. Through Marco's character Miller portrays
'The way an audience experiences and appreciates a play...is by no means governed solely by what happens on stage. The entire theatre, its audience arrangements, its other public places its physical appearance, even its location in a city, are all import
Drama Essay 'The way an audience experiences and appreciates a play...is by no means governed solely by what happens on stage. The entire theatre, its audience arrangements, its other public places its physical appearance, even its location in a city, are all important elements of the process by which an audience makes meaning of its experience'. Discuss and analyse Carlson's statement in relation to at least one of the theatre events you have studied. Marvin Carlson makes a very valid and observant assertion here that I feel is pertinent to the study of theatre as a whole and universal issue. The idea that 'the entire theatre', the physical space in which a play is performed affects the audiences understanding of the theatre event, is one which, whilst has 'remained rather narrowly focused', 'has long been generally accepted as a legitimate, indeed, essential part of the historical study of both drama and theatre.'1 In this essay then, I will discuss and analyse this idea (which should not remain 'rather narrowly focused') in conjunction with Carlson's statement, and try to expand upon the issues he raises. In doing so, I will draw upon what I have studied in this module, and how I feel the statement applies to the theatre texts and events I have encountered. Firstly, I think that to understand Carlson's belief fully, semiotics must be addresses as they cannot be
The Choosing By Liz Lochhead - review
The Choosing By Liz Lochhead "The Choosing" by Liz Lochhead is a poem which presents a very common situation and makes you consider deeper issues. The content depicts two girls who unwittingly make choices in school, unaware of consequences, and, because of them, end up drifting off their separate ways because of such choices, and the choices made for them by their families. Both girls were clever, but only one was allowed to stay on at school. Their paths cross ten years later, their lives totally different. Verse one describes the two girls, who were best friends and intellectual equals: "First equal, equally proud". "Equal" is mentioned twice in the first paragraph, to show that the two girls were equal in every way, except arithmetic, where Mary led. They both won book prizes. In the second verse we find out that Mary's family have eventually moved to a house with a cheaper rent. Mary would not be going to a senior school, as her father did not "believe" in educating girls, uniforms, or any of that "nonsense". In the third verse we find out the two girls stayed in the "same houses, different homes", suggesting that they lived in the same kind of house but their home lives were vastly different. Home was where the choices were being made: Mary's father didn't believe in High school education, "especially for girls," or in "forking out for uniforms". So her father
Contextualising the play - A Night Out by Harold Pinter
Stephan Seiler Contextualising the play The Playwright (Harold Pinter) * Harold Pinter was born in the working-class neighbourhood of East London's Hackney in 1930, the son of a Jewish tailor. He evacuated to Cornwall, England, at the outbreak of World War II in 1939, and returned to London when he was 14. * He began acting in plays at his grammar school, and later received a grant to study at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He left the school after two years, and spent most of the 1950s writing poetry and acting in small theatre productions. * In 1957, he wrote his first play, The Room. His first produced play; The Birthday Party came a year later. The reception was unfavourable, it closed within a week, but Pinter's next full-length play, The Caretaker (1960), was more successful. * The Dumb Waiter also staged in 1960, helped Pinter become more well known. He frequently directed, and sometimes acted in his own work in the 1960s and 1970s. This work was radio, television, and film based. * Pinter often acted in "who done its?" So this was a major influence in his work to do with gangsters and that lifestyle. He acted for Television drama: - * A Night Out by Harold Pinter, ABC TV Armchair Theatre, 24 April 1960 * Directed by Philip Saville (Assheton Gorton - Designer.) Seeley - David Baron [Harold Pinter] * He also acted in films, * The