What is historical context and can texts be explained or enriched by considerations of context?
What is historical context and can texts be explained or enriched by considerations of context? Historical context is largely responsible for assigning a place into which a text can be 'fitted', a set of conditions out of which the fiction has been moulded and a grounding which is therefore fixed historically in time and space. However, historical context is essentially the backdrop and starting point from which the literature comes into being and as attitudes of readers change over the years so adaptations of context alter the reception and analysis of the text, thereby challenging the authority its initial circumstances have over the literature for years into the future. The question of the usefulness of historical context in getting to the core of a text can be compared to the scientific puzzle of nature versus nurture in the assessment of human character. In the same way that the essential nature or historical circumstances of a human is regulated and balanced by its nurture or changing circumstances and influences, there is also a limiting extend to which the fact behind the fiction helps to explain or determine a text more deeply. The novel "Heart of Darkness" is often identified in this way by its assigned timing in terms of the imperialist attitudes of the west and placement as a discourse of colonialism within Africa. The thematic journey into the unknown, the
Innocents Abroad
Innocents Abroad In the 19th century tourism became available for a broad market and travel writing became a consumer literary artefact. The popular bestseller Innocents Abroad by the American writer Mark Twain (1869) is one of the landmarks in this development of travel writing. Innocents Abroad describes Twain's five month Tour to Europe and the Holy Land in a satiric, comic burlesque way. He shows his readers 'the real' Europe and East. That is, the Europe and East the readers would see if they looked at this part of the world with their own eyes instead of the eyes of the people who had travelled to those countries before (Twain, 5). In three years he sold an increasing number of copies and his satiric look became very influential in American culture (Railton). In this paper I will analyse the excising attitudes towards Europe and the East and the attitudes that emerge from Twain's account. Mark Twain's book is clearly a product of his time. Innocents Abroad is a report of the Grand Tour Twain joined in 1867 and was published in 1869. The American writer wrote travel letters for a San Francisco newspaper as part of the "very first large-scale tourist excursion cruise" just after the Civil War (1861 - 1865) (Obenzinger, 119). While America in that time still contended with the aftermath of the war, they became a rising industrialized country and the aspirations to travel
Investigate the extent to which bias in the British press conflicts with the objectivity we expect of good journalism
Investigate the extent to which bias in the British press conflicts with the objectivity we expect of good journalism. Where there is journalism in the British press, there is often bias. However, whether it "conflicts" with the expected objectivity of good journalism, or whether it merely just affects it to differing degrees for differing interest groups is the question. Several interest groups are important when considering this: The Press themselves, the readership and both the Government and Opposition. The Press The role of British newspapers is to inform readers of issues of public interest. What makes the press vastly different to its broadcasting counterparts is that it is allowed to be biased. In fact, the press has very few rules to follow, restricted only by its own self-regulation. It is not censored; the press can basically say whatever it likes, within the law. This can create limitations of what the press can publish, and raises the question of what is considered public interest. Newspapers today are characterised by an oligopoly1; Newspapers are now commercialised. Today, a major role of journalists is to not only inform, but to sell newspapers. This has changed the nature of journalism, particularly in tabloids, into "info-tainment". News has become sensationalised and "sexed up". Therefore, although bias exists, it can be said it does not
Mass Media in Singapore and Asia
Mass Media in Singapore and Asia Individual Assignment . The transcript discussed in this paper is the one titled, "The Asian Way". From the transcript, the themes available for discussion include the definition, importance and role of Asian values in the media. Asian values, as defined in the transcript, is about emphasising consensus over troubles that might arise during decision making. It is also defined as respecting and obeying the nation's leaders over criticism, and as placing the interests of society and family first, before personal rights. The transcript highlighted the contrast in the West's and East's approach in handling the media and also about how this notion of Asian values is perhaps just a line of defence in arguing that the West's free press approach is not suitable for Asia. Highlighted, was the argument of whether free press is important or detriment in the role of nation building. And essentially, whether freedom is worth sacrificing over development. The issue of the government's control over the media, especially print and television was raised and the question of whether the media should be transparent was discussed. 2. On the topic of the role of Asian values in the media, Garry Rodan, an Associate Professor, stated that Asian values is a "rationalisation for not allowing more political pluralism." He also stated that with competitive politics
This essay seeks to investigate how women's magazines, which are published in the twenty-first century, extend and maintain notions of femininity.
Media and Power Assignment .1. This essay seeks to investigate how women's magazines, which are published in the twenty-first century, extend and maintain notions of femininity. Namely how the key concepts of Gramsci concept of Hegemony help us to understand the make-up of woman's glossy magazines and by briefly studying a current magazine to view the editorial content. Gramsci's concept of hegemony can be defined as power held by a ruling class over society, meaning its political, intellectual and moral authority or leadership must be predominant. For Gramsci hegemony means rule by consent, rule by moral and intellectual authority or leadership (Gramsci, 1989). In Britain there are hundreds of glossy magazine's trying to attract a particular segment of the market, whether they be aimed at women, teenage girls, or men. In 2001 the top 10 women's magazines in Britain were Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Good House Keeping, Marie Claire, Prima, New Woman, Company, Women and Home, Elle (UK), and Vogue (Audit Bureau of Circulations, 2001). These magazines are aimed at single women, homemakers and single career minded women. These all represent different ideals to the women reading them, about the way in which they dress and their opinions on their everyday life. These are the basic ideas that maintain notions of femininity, which I will now discuss. For many years women have struggled
Chocolate vs Vanilla
Why Chocolate is Better than Vanilla Introduction: Attention Getting Opening: It's a war that has been fought for centuries. On one side, the ancient Mayans, who come out strong with a bitter drink called xocolatl, along with their offensive partner Milton Hershey, the first American to mass-produce the milk chocolate bar (joyofbaking), (Hershey's). The others won't go down without a fight; at the Wendy's drive through, a new question is being asked after every Frosty order: chocolate or vanilla? Reason your audience would be interested in this speech: It is a fun topic, and these flavors are present in everyone's lives at any age. Establish your credibility: I have done tireless research over the Internet, as well as sampled many vanilla and chocolate flavored items. Thesis Statement: Chocolate is a better flavoring than vanilla, because: * It is better for your health * Will make you happier and more energetic * Is more economical Transition: Chocolate gives many health benefits, which are not found in vanilla. Body: Main Point A.: Chocolate is delicious and good for your health. * Antioxidants found in dark chocolate can help your heart by lowering blood pressure and preventing heart disease and diabetes. Contrary to popular belief, saturated fats found in chocolate have no adverse effect on cholesterol levels. (Ingall, Marjorie, cnn) * Chocolate
Colonialism - A game of Othello.
Colonialism: a game of othello In the game of othello, discs are placed in a way such that black discs could be flipped to become white after each move and vice versa. For amateurs to this game, they would most likely adopt the 'maximizing' strategy in the beginning where they try to flip as many discs into their own color in the least number of moves. However, as we come to notice, this is the fastest way to lose the game. Colonialism in South and Southeast Asia during early 19th century to 20th century by the British likens this game of Othello. The British are represented by the whites and the Asians, the blacks. When the British gained control of India and Burma, they practiced the 'maximizing" strategy where they tried to influence the natives heavily from all aspects political, economic, social and culture, covering a large area in a short amount of time. Which lead to a strong resistance from the people under them and they 'lost' the game. However, the response was not the same throughout the social classes and these classes responded differently1 as colonization marginalized only certain classes, usually the peasants. In India, depending on the time period and the policies enacted by the British the reactions to colonization differ greatly between classes and sometimes even in classes itself. One such policy where responses differ in one class, the peasants, was
Henry Jenkins and fan communities
Assignment Cover Sheet School of Communication Arts College of Arts Student Name: Nicola Parkinson Student Number: 16520572 Unit Name and Number: 01053 Researching Media Audiences Tutorial Day and Time: Friday 2-3pm Tutor: Luke Carman Title of Assignment: RMA Essay Question1 Length: 2,869 words (Actual number of words written, excluding reference list) Due Date: 30th September 2010 Date Submitted: 30th September 2010 DECLARATION I hold a copy of this assignment that I can produce if the original is lost or damaged. I hereby certify that no part of this assignment/product has been copied from any other student's work or from any other source except where due acknowledgement is made in the assignment. No part of this assignment/product has been written/produced for me by another person except where such collaboration has been authorised by the subject lecturer/tutor concerned. Signature: ...Nicola Parkinson ............................................................................... Note: Assignments will not be marked if the above declaration has not been signed. "You've got fifteen seconds, impress me." It is with this phase that we can start to understand just how great the power of the audience is becoming. An ordinary young male, with regular clothes and scruffy hair is the poster child for the new interactive audience. He, just
How far should people's privacy be protected from the press?
How far should people's privacy be protected from the press? No one ever said that it would be easy to live the life of a celebrity yet many people take a route into fame without really thinking about the problems that come with it. Most "normal" people have a common belief that living in the public eye has more positive affects than negative ones. However, what they fail to take into account is the daily press intrusion into what sometimes turns into a free-for-all. There are no set rules to being a celebrity, just like there are none for being a parent, but each person has learnt (or in some cases not) how to handle the press in their own way. Each star receives a varying amount of press attention in their life and usually music celebrities are more hounded than film personalities simply because they appear in added mediums separate from their music. Whereas a film star is in the actual movie and a select few interviews, musicians can be found on records, in music videos, in interviews, and at live performances and award shows. This increases the press intrusion into their lives. Generally, other celebrities - such as politicians - are not targeted as much because, at the end of the day, the newspapers and magazines want to sell their product and it tends to be the superstar content that makes it that added bit easier. I believe that when someone chooses to enter any
Loaded - The Success & Decline
Loaded - The Success & Decline The success and decline of loaded has been rather remarkable in many ways. First of all, the way it burst onto the market was certainly surprising. However, the seemingly rapid decline after years at the top has been just as, if not more, surprising. The reasons for its success are pretty obvious when you look at them, and they are undoubtedly a lot clearer than the reasons for the falling sales. One could say that the drop (in sales) has something to do with changing economic conditions. However others, perhaps more cynically, will say that it is just the magazine failing to respond to these changing conditions, and that Loaded has paid the price with the decline of sales. One person who certainly thinks the latter is Mr. Howarth - "They are all about the denial of the real problems...in denial about anything serious...this is a way of not facing up to hard times." Of course this is just his view, nonetheless he could indeed have a point. When Loaded first burst onto the scene, it was certainly a first of its kind, and when released there was no doubt it was exploring a gap in the market. Yes, there were existing magazines that were similar, such as Arena & GQ, but they were more into men's grooming and fashion. What Loaded did was to experiment and push out the boundaries, by trying to relate to men. They did with surprising ease by