Why do people create negative stereotypes? Why are people more aware of the flaws of a country than its actual attributes? This is due to the media who generally casts news filled with terror and darkness. Chimamanda doesn't only arise the question of why the media only exposes negative content, but how they are unaware of the impressions they are leaving behind. Through T.V, Colombia has been portrayed as a country full of violence, drugs and corruption. For instance, Sofia Vergara's performance in "Modern Family," as Gloria has drawn American and world wide viewers into believing Colombians are characterized as sexually driven and ignorant villagers. Also, the recent "Pablo Escobar" series, although may be historically valuable, does not leave fanatics with a healthy impression of the Colombia of today. Why is the audience more intrigued on dark matters? Do people relate themselves more with this kind of material? How is the public preference degrading our image as Colombians?
Like the Nigerian stereotypical 'uncivilized reputation,' Colombia's reality is nonexistent to many.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
African Queen
Women are objects of beauty. They demonstrate elegance, poise and control; control over their bodies and the men who idolize them. Women like Cleopatra have been able to hypnotize men, manipulate them. Society is represented by women and their sexuality: a shattering force. Like this Egyptian pharaoh, Kurt'z mistress demonstrates the supremacy of his wealth. She represents him and all his achievements. Women create social bonds. They establish friendships and rivalries. They decide who dies and who lives. Helen of Troy, another overpowering force, started a war, ended love and a nation's peace. Now, what will Kurt'z mistress do? How will she influence him? What kind of changes will she unravel throughout the story?
Kurt'z mistress "had the value of several elephant tusks upon her. She was savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent....113" This woman is described as a G-dess. She resembles an idol, who cannot be touched but only praised. This woman is to be respected despite her heritage. Why is she an exception to the racist culture? The fact that she is Kurt'z woman changes the whole situation.
Kurtz: a figure of succes, wealth and liberty. He is a man who thinks and acts as he pleases. He is his own leader. This effectively convinces men he is to be admired, that his way is one that implicates instant prosperity. However, this whole reputation is reflected upon his woman.
This "African Queen," although decorated in "brass leggings...necklaces of glass beads...bizarre things....113" is only a temporary embodiment of Kurt'z social statue. Later on he will be economically crushed (ivory business fails) and his beautiful African will be return to be a savage as well.
Women are the face of men. Women are society. In a way a woman's reputation lies in a man's. How are women able to intervine with a man's essence? Women's power over men, thus the world is both intricate and decidedly mystical.
Kurt'z mistress "had the value of several elephant tusks upon her. She was savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent....113" This woman is described as a G-dess. She resembles an idol, who cannot be touched but only praised. This woman is to be respected despite her heritage. Why is she an exception to the racist culture? The fact that she is Kurt'z woman changes the whole situation.
Kurtz: a figure of succes, wealth and liberty. He is a man who thinks and acts as he pleases. He is his own leader. This effectively convinces men he is to be admired, that his way is one that implicates instant prosperity. However, this whole reputation is reflected upon his woman.
This "African Queen," although decorated in "brass leggings...necklaces of glass beads...bizarre things....113" is only a temporary embodiment of Kurt'z social statue. Later on he will be economically crushed (ivory business fails) and his beautiful African will be return to be a savage as well.
Women are the face of men. Women are society. In a way a woman's reputation lies in a man's. How are women able to intervine with a man's essence? Women's power over men, thus the world is both intricate and decidedly mystical.
"My Ivory"
A "shush," a quiet whisper, a shrieking silence: the symptoms of a heart in the darkness. A lost heart is equivalent to a soul lost in the river. "We penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness. It was very quiet there. 63" As the ivory hunters paved their way through the river in search for Mr. Kurtz, Marlow struggled, for he felt he had lost his heart forever. What is the cause for a lost heart? Is it an ignorant and disoriented heart? One that lacks purpose and love?
An awakening is defined as a spiritual revival. An awakening orients the heart into fulfillment. Marlow and the society he represents have forgotten the true meaning of life. These people's minds preach materialism and the retrieval of power. However, a superficial life will always lead to a dead end. (Just like Mr. Kurt'z life is coming to an end.) This is because there is an actual limitation to the amount of money, power and fame a person can own. At the end of the road, when there is nothing else to own, what else is there to live for? Mr. Kurtz is a symbol of ultimate material obtainment.
When Marlow decides to go in search for Mr. Kurtz, he travels many nights. As he paddles under the dull moonlight, he notices "not the faintest sound of any kind could be heard. You looked on amazed, and began to suspect yourself of being deaf–then the night came suddenly and struck you blind as well. 71"
Your body is connected to the world by your senses. You know you are alive because you can feel, smell, taste and and see. However, when these senses become numb, how do you know you are alive. Marlow was feeling numb, he was feeling dead. The idea of mortality is paralel to the sensations of a heart in the darkness.
Marlow, Mr. Kurtz and all white men's search for ivory is because it is the only way they can grasp to reality. Without ownership they feel a lack of control over their lives, thus loosing a heart. Through materialism man searches to fill in gaps. Gaps: the deficiency of moral indignation in life. This can be seen transparently, "My ivory...my intended, my ivory, my station, my river, my –everything belonged to him. 89"
An awakening is defined as a spiritual revival. An awakening orients the heart into fulfillment. Marlow and the society he represents have forgotten the true meaning of life. These people's minds preach materialism and the retrieval of power. However, a superficial life will always lead to a dead end. (Just like Mr. Kurt'z life is coming to an end.) This is because there is an actual limitation to the amount of money, power and fame a person can own. At the end of the road, when there is nothing else to own, what else is there to live for? Mr. Kurtz is a symbol of ultimate material obtainment.
When Marlow decides to go in search for Mr. Kurtz, he travels many nights. As he paddles under the dull moonlight, he notices "not the faintest sound of any kind could be heard. You looked on amazed, and began to suspect yourself of being deaf–then the night came suddenly and struck you blind as well. 71"
Your body is connected to the world by your senses. You know you are alive because you can feel, smell, taste and and see. However, when these senses become numb, how do you know you are alive. Marlow was feeling numb, he was feeling dead. The idea of mortality is paralel to the sensations of a heart in the darkness.
Marlow, Mr. Kurtz and all white men's search for ivory is because it is the only way they can grasp to reality. Without ownership they feel a lack of control over their lives, thus loosing a heart. Through materialism man searches to fill in gaps. Gaps: the deficiency of moral indignation in life. This can be seen transparently, "My ivory...my intended, my ivory, my station, my river, my –everything belonged to him. 89"
Doubting Faith
The woods, the river: the colonies settings illustrate the loneliness and deprivation of human kind. These are places that are filled with gloomy moonlight, cold breezes and a somber energy; sinking the hearts and souls who wander among them. The setting in the Heart of Darkness mirror the emotional state of characters like Marlow. However, he recognizes how the people around him are not affected by the setting as he is. The other white people live in a distinct world, seen with other eyes. He states how some of the colonists live as illusionists and dreamers, who strive to become "kings." The colonists ache to claim every piece of ivory possible, well it is their door to luxury. Nevertheless, Marlow also claims that some are too cowardly to excel, so they live among the shadows, waiting for a miracle to turn them into kings. Marlow on the other hand, is simply Marlow. He does not intend to become anything or anyone, but enters into a state of moral wakefulness when arriving in the Congo. No one shares Marlow's experience and for this reason he is alone. He portrays to be independent from the world. He is a man of independent dreams and sorrows. "We live as we dream– alone....48" Marlow feels that no one will ever be able to comprehend him, for Marlow doesn't even comprehend himself.
Marlow, a British colonist, is devoted to the extraction of ivory in the exotic lands of the Congo. At least that is what he believes or intends to do in this strange country. After arriving, and having observed the horrific and inhumane mistreatments against the natives he doubts his purpose in life and his job. Alone in Africa, Marlow is completely befuddled of his attitude towards his situation. Should he rebel against the white, his own race and fight for human integrity? Or, does he want to become wealthy and live?
The white people around him are absorbed by greed, corruption and vanity. These men, drunk with power, will never sacrifice their life style in exchange for moral liberty. Ivory is their mistress. Despite the fact that all white men act like savages, there is one that Marlow admires greatly. Mr. Kurtz: witty, and an evil genius is considered the G-d of ivory.
Although Marlow's moral conscience is awake, Kurt'z image provokes Marlow with his money and power. This Chief of the Inner Station is a representation of societies idealism. British society during these times, especially invoked extravagance and luxury as a "common life style." Many of the strategies adopted to attain this image were cruel and animalistic. (Slave Trade and Ivory Exploitation)
Every man stands alone. For man is never trusted. Man betrays in order to stand above. If it implies acting animalistic, a man will do so if it leads to power.
The human race claims to survive as a group, but realistically this method is selfish. Humans live in society for it offers comfortable accommodations. But once their is something undiscovered, something better, they will abandon the herd. We are all alone. Who will ever guarantee faithfulness?
Marlow is not faithful to his moral perception (at first). If he doubts the society he represents and himself, who exactly is Marlow?
Marlow, a British colonist, is devoted to the extraction of ivory in the exotic lands of the Congo. At least that is what he believes or intends to do in this strange country. After arriving, and having observed the horrific and inhumane mistreatments against the natives he doubts his purpose in life and his job. Alone in Africa, Marlow is completely befuddled of his attitude towards his situation. Should he rebel against the white, his own race and fight for human integrity? Or, does he want to become wealthy and live?
The white people around him are absorbed by greed, corruption and vanity. These men, drunk with power, will never sacrifice their life style in exchange for moral liberty. Ivory is their mistress. Despite the fact that all white men act like savages, there is one that Marlow admires greatly. Mr. Kurtz: witty, and an evil genius is considered the G-d of ivory.
Although Marlow's moral conscience is awake, Kurt'z image provokes Marlow with his money and power. This Chief of the Inner Station is a representation of societies idealism. British society during these times, especially invoked extravagance and luxury as a "common life style." Many of the strategies adopted to attain this image were cruel and animalistic. (Slave Trade and Ivory Exploitation)
Every man stands alone. For man is never trusted. Man betrays in order to stand above. If it implies acting animalistic, a man will do so if it leads to power.
The human race claims to survive as a group, but realistically this method is selfish. Humans live in society for it offers comfortable accommodations. But once their is something undiscovered, something better, they will abandon the herd. We are all alone. Who will ever guarantee faithfulness?
Marlow is not faithful to his moral perception (at first). If he doubts the society he represents and himself, who exactly is Marlow?
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The Bug that Proves it All
The "Great Naitons of Europe," symbolically ironic, portrays the shallowness and both grandeur of this unit of power. By colonizing every spectacle of America, Europeans acted like the 'savages themselves.' Having conquered all of the canaries in the Canary Island (that is what gave it its name), does not only invoke the indians as being animals, but as a destroyed race. They inferiorize these people, by describing them as unholy, filthy. Nevertheless, karma that can also be called irony, steps in and presumes these white men with "great fortunes."
"They got tb and typhoid and athletes foot, diphtheria and the flu
'scuse me great nations comin through."
Now the "Great Nations of Europe" have diseases caused by lack of higiene. The irony....
In addition, the most ironic detail in these lyrics is the implication of the European being noble at first. As soon as these "missionaries" arrived to the indina lands, they acted with harmless intentions. However, one event to another, the indinas "were all dead."
Usually, the most unexpected happens during situations such as these. Situations that are new and exciting, situations that put every individual into a vulnerable position. Strangers, although appear to be good hearted, might be bluffing. Newman is able to demonstrate this idea quite well:
"Balboa found the Pacific, and on the trail one day,
he met some friendly Indians whom the Church told him were gay,
soooooooooooooo
he had them torn apart by dogs on religious grounds they say
the great nations of Europe were quite holy in their way."
How was the Church, considered a holy institution able to "tear the friendly indians apart by dogs on religious grounds?"
The fact that such sins were done in the name of the Church, of G-d is irony at its finnest.
However, the most shocking exploitation of irony in this barbaric story is chorus's patterns. In first the lines: "Hide your wives and daughter; hide the groceries too.
The great nations of Europe comin through," were used to imply how European men took advantage of the indian women. Furthermore, the last chorus changes, significantly.
"Hide your wives and daughters; hide your sons as well
with the great nations of Europe you never can tell."
The message these lines entail are degrading and overwhelming. For they imply that the European and the "Great Nations" didn't have limits. They're moral sense was undefined. This has led me to think, indians were accused as animals, for they weren't Catholic, therefore they didn't have a 'saved soul.' However, the Europeans were animalistic and inhumane. Might the song be speaking of the Europeans all along? I think so, for after every conclusion victorious proclamation is inverted, it becomes a negative.
"Europeans have sprung up everyone as even I can see
but there on the horizon is the possibility
that some bug from out of Africa might come for you and me
destroying everything in its path from sea to shining sea
like the great nations of Europe in the 16th century. "
Will a bug finally prove the dark irony in this song. A bug will establish Newman's point very clearly.
Monday, October 15, 2012
The Lost Chief
The Combine: a representation of society.
For many of the patients in the hospital society remains behind four walls. And in this miniature civilization, Nurse Ratched edicts. She is power. Something Bromden feels strongly. She is to be obeyed, and respected. Which Bromden recognizes. She is a threat. The reason for Bromden's mental instability. The Old Nurse is the reason for Bromden's insecurities, for she represents all women. In the other hand, Bromden represents the confused public, that follows, foraging comfort.
Since the Chief was a small boy and lived with his tribe out in the Columbia river, his mother was always manipulative in her marital relationship. Although Bromden's father was described as "The Pine that Stands Tallest on the Mountain," his self esteem was diminutive. This shaped Bromden as a weak and "unmanly" giant. Hindering himself from the world around him, the Chief grew to be deaf, uncommunicative, and brute. Can all this be because of women? Have women become monsters for self protection? Chauvinism has always diminished women and this led to agressive women. An overpowering energy which portrayed Bromden as a foolish slave, at first.
"I'm cagey enough to fool them that much. If my half Indian ever helped me in any way in this dirty life, it helped me being cagey, helped me all these years. 4" What kind of human wants to feel inferior and caged? The person that needs to hide in small holes, wants to become like a rat. The rat is a perfect example of Bromden's behavior. For this filthy animal likes to creep around, silently listening and observing everyone without being seen. The rat, despised by the majority of the population, multiplies and gains strength. So he can still be small individually, but when accompanied, no one will defeat the rat. Chief Bromden can be the most cowardly man on Earth. However, McMurphy builds his confidence and aspires him to increment and reach his potentials. Throughout the book, Bromden's attitude is altered, and he is no longer a helpless spectator. But like an animal his power's are underestimated. This innocent man, has a hidden agenda. Bromden is caged, but his has the key to open the door and get out.
McMurphy and the Old Nurse's surging power, are reasons for Bromden's awakening. Always hiding in his fog, this man was able to go in a fishing trip. Being out in the real world, having seen normality, simply made Bromden realize he wasn't crazy. "He won't let the pain blot out the humor no more he'll let the humor blot of the pain." Having landed on ground, Bromden centered himself and discovered he had the power to free himself. Throughout revolts and other rebellious events, the Chief became a hero. He took his own life with his hands. He was in command.
This indian was the man who he physically represented. However, through torturous consequences, he was able to grow into a state of mind. He would free his men. He would look out for them. He was no longer threatened by the Combine. He had outgrown his roots, his childish traumas.
"I figure I'm all right. Just I don't know where I want to go yet. And somebody should stay here a few weeks after your gone to see that things don't start sliding back. 265" Chief Bromden is now the leader of his own Combine. He has discovered the cage's key has been lying on his hand all along...he is a Chief.
"As I walked after them it came to me as a sudden surprise that I was drunk, actually drunk, glowing and grinning and staggering drunk for the first time since the Army...maybe the combine wasn't all-powerful. What was to stop us from doing it again, now that we saw we could?...it felt that good. 263" Now that Chief Bromden does not seclude his mind body and soul from the world, he has come to a realization, He has willpower. He is capable of taking decisions and living. How exactly did he discover this?
When a person is shown the force of power and the human capacities to surpass it, a sudden feeling merges: adrenaline. This chemical reaction in the body is what makes the mind become alert, rushed and alive. It is a feeling human's strive for, however there are very few ways to obtain it. Nonetheless, the Chief has experimented with this sentiment and craves for more. However, his expectations might seem outrageous, for he has forgotten he still remains behind bars. Unfortunately, this leads to failure in a certain manner. MacMurphy, the immortal thriving protector has been destroyed.
It will never be known if Chief Bromden gave up after this, or if he felt he had to continue fighting. All that is left is a confused Indian and an exhausted reader.
For many of the patients in the hospital society remains behind four walls. And in this miniature civilization, Nurse Ratched edicts. She is power. Something Bromden feels strongly. She is to be obeyed, and respected. Which Bromden recognizes. She is a threat. The reason for Bromden's mental instability. The Old Nurse is the reason for Bromden's insecurities, for she represents all women. In the other hand, Bromden represents the confused public, that follows, foraging comfort.
Since the Chief was a small boy and lived with his tribe out in the Columbia river, his mother was always manipulative in her marital relationship. Although Bromden's father was described as "The Pine that Stands Tallest on the Mountain," his self esteem was diminutive. This shaped Bromden as a weak and "unmanly" giant. Hindering himself from the world around him, the Chief grew to be deaf, uncommunicative, and brute. Can all this be because of women? Have women become monsters for self protection? Chauvinism has always diminished women and this led to agressive women. An overpowering energy which portrayed Bromden as a foolish slave, at first.
"I'm cagey enough to fool them that much. If my half Indian ever helped me in any way in this dirty life, it helped me being cagey, helped me all these years. 4" What kind of human wants to feel inferior and caged? The person that needs to hide in small holes, wants to become like a rat. The rat is a perfect example of Bromden's behavior. For this filthy animal likes to creep around, silently listening and observing everyone without being seen. The rat, despised by the majority of the population, multiplies and gains strength. So he can still be small individually, but when accompanied, no one will defeat the rat. Chief Bromden can be the most cowardly man on Earth. However, McMurphy builds his confidence and aspires him to increment and reach his potentials. Throughout the book, Bromden's attitude is altered, and he is no longer a helpless spectator. But like an animal his power's are underestimated. This innocent man, has a hidden agenda. Bromden is caged, but his has the key to open the door and get out.
McMurphy and the Old Nurse's surging power, are reasons for Bromden's awakening. Always hiding in his fog, this man was able to go in a fishing trip. Being out in the real world, having seen normality, simply made Bromden realize he wasn't crazy. "He won't let the pain blot out the humor no more he'll let the humor blot of the pain." Having landed on ground, Bromden centered himself and discovered he had the power to free himself. Throughout revolts and other rebellious events, the Chief became a hero. He took his own life with his hands. He was in command.
This indian was the man who he physically represented. However, through torturous consequences, he was able to grow into a state of mind. He would free his men. He would look out for them. He was no longer threatened by the Combine. He had outgrown his roots, his childish traumas.
"I figure I'm all right. Just I don't know where I want to go yet. And somebody should stay here a few weeks after your gone to see that things don't start sliding back. 265" Chief Bromden is now the leader of his own Combine. He has discovered the cage's key has been lying on his hand all along...he is a Chief.
"As I walked after them it came to me as a sudden surprise that I was drunk, actually drunk, glowing and grinning and staggering drunk for the first time since the Army...maybe the combine wasn't all-powerful. What was to stop us from doing it again, now that we saw we could?...it felt that good. 263" Now that Chief Bromden does not seclude his mind body and soul from the world, he has come to a realization, He has willpower. He is capable of taking decisions and living. How exactly did he discover this?
When a person is shown the force of power and the human capacities to surpass it, a sudden feeling merges: adrenaline. This chemical reaction in the body is what makes the mind become alert, rushed and alive. It is a feeling human's strive for, however there are very few ways to obtain it. Nonetheless, the Chief has experimented with this sentiment and craves for more. However, his expectations might seem outrageous, for he has forgotten he still remains behind bars. Unfortunately, this leads to failure in a certain manner. MacMurphy, the immortal thriving protector has been destroyed.
It will never be known if Chief Bromden gave up after this, or if he felt he had to continue fighting. All that is left is a confused Indian and an exhausted reader.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
A Milky Holocaust
The misty fog of a Monday morning makes your eyes small and dreary. It makes you huddle into a little ball after haven woken up. The fog deprives you of seeing the sun rise. The fog impedes you to discover when the world is first illuminated. It's a blinding, impairing your eyes of what the world beholds. In a way, these smoky clouds defend you from the horrible winds that are occurring outside. They are shields, they will keep your mind and body sound. This same fog is a treatment doctors have developed to keep their patients dozy and oblivious to everything. How exactly is this fog comforting to the Chief? Do the patients overall appreciate this operation because they don't feel "as insane" afterwards? Blurry vision signifies a world not seen clearly. Although everything lies still and neat, the fog alters the eyes, causing everything to be seen distortedly. The Chief enjoys living within a lie, within a world of perfect smeariness.
The fog is like a perfume, intoxicating those who wear it. Leaving those who smell it mesmerized, tranquil and bathed in a sweet scent; the scent of society.
The fog machine is like a dreaming machine. It permits those who "ride" it to fall into a limbo, where nothing around them is definite. No man or woman is one hundred percent existant. None of the terrifying screams are real. So how can it be proven that the fog is real? What exactly is the fog? Is it an imaginary zone of unawareness? Or is it an intoxicating smolder, invading those minds who just don't adapt to society's creation? "But if they don't exist, how can man see them. 80" The fog is real. Maybe not to everyone, but it is to someone. Creation lies in a creator. So if a person designs a world of his/her own, it exists because that person lives in it.
The fog isn't literally a treatment, but it can be a self-protecting mechanism used by the Chief. This character is described as silent, reticent and mysterious, who in some way feels inadequate in the mad house. Nevertheless, at times his perception of the world becomes distorted and changes the readers view on this innocently sane human.
It secludes the mind from illusions. It takes their power away. Nevertheless, for this reason these try to escape from the fog. For they become victims of horrible tortures from "inexistant" men who fool with their minds. "They start the fog machine again and its snowing down cold and white all over me like skim milk, so thick I might even be able to hide in it if they didn't have a hold on me. 7" The Chief is imprisoned. The fog has captivated his body and embraced it. The Chief has no where to go once the fog gets him. This might as well be the worst crime ever committed. It is a milky holocaust; captivating their victims from the soles of their feet, to every spectacle of their hair.
The fog is like a perfume, intoxicating those who wear it. Leaving those who smell it mesmerized, tranquil and bathed in a sweet scent; the scent of society.
The fog machine is like a dreaming machine. It permits those who "ride" it to fall into a limbo, where nothing around them is definite. No man or woman is one hundred percent existant. None of the terrifying screams are real. So how can it be proven that the fog is real? What exactly is the fog? Is it an imaginary zone of unawareness? Or is it an intoxicating smolder, invading those minds who just don't adapt to society's creation? "But if they don't exist, how can man see them. 80" The fog is real. Maybe not to everyone, but it is to someone. Creation lies in a creator. So if a person designs a world of his/her own, it exists because that person lives in it.
The fog isn't literally a treatment, but it can be a self-protecting mechanism used by the Chief. This character is described as silent, reticent and mysterious, who in some way feels inadequate in the mad house. Nevertheless, at times his perception of the world becomes distorted and changes the readers view on this innocently sane human.
It secludes the mind from illusions. It takes their power away. Nevertheless, for this reason these try to escape from the fog. For they become victims of horrible tortures from "inexistant" men who fool with their minds. "They start the fog machine again and its snowing down cold and white all over me like skim milk, so thick I might even be able to hide in it if they didn't have a hold on me. 7" The Chief is imprisoned. The fog has captivated his body and embraced it. The Chief has no where to go once the fog gets him. This might as well be the worst crime ever committed. It is a milky holocaust; captivating their victims from the soles of their feet, to every spectacle of their hair.
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