Symbolism in Battle Royal Essay Essay Example

Symbolism in Battle Royal Essay Paper Ralph Ellison, Battle Royal: Literary Analysis Symbolism – the artistic and deliberate use of representations in literary works – assists in presenting to audiences both explicit as well as implicit meanings of various concepts and entities. Authors, poets, and other composers thus make great use of this highly effective literary device as they seek to convey varied messages to audiences. To illustrate, through the ‘battle royal’ element within the Invisible Man novel, author Ralph Ellison makes use of this literary device to induce audiences to form varied connotative as well as denotative meanings. Specifically, the fact that the novel’s narrator, as well as his fellow classmates (all blindfolded), are engaged in a duel is very symbolic. To strike closer home, the blindfolded nature of the contestants has a deep symbolic denotative and as well as connotative meanings. On the connotative side, such a blindfolded situation demonstrates the ignorance that the parties, who are all Blacks, usually espouse. Conversely, by being engaged in a duel while blindfolded, the ten Black youths indicate that the Black population is generally backwards with regard to seeking to gain knowledge and understanding. In addition, by using this symbolic element, Ellison adds a further twist to the story’s overall meaning. For example, it is notable that the Blacks do not demonstrate any significant resistance towards the idea of facing off their fellow Blacks in a blind duel. It thus seems as though the Blacks are passive partakers of the humiliation that the Whites mete out on them. We will write a custom essay sample on Symbolism in Battle Royal Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Symbolism in Battle Royal Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Symbolism in Battle Royal Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In addition, it is important to note that the author employs a conventional symbolic element by describing the Blacks as being blindfolded. This is because blindfolds have the conventional meaning of implying lack of sight or understanding. All in all, in the Invisible Man novel, Ellison incorporates a conventional symbolic element, particularly; the author presents the Black contestants as being blindfolded to demonstrate their ignorance as well as their (the Blacks’) general apathy towards seeking justice, progress and development. For example, regarding the connotative implication of this symbolic element, by being blindfolded, the Black youths point to a general unwillingness of the Black community to agitate for positive change. For instance, it is very notable that the Blacks have seemingly agreed to be blindfolded, without any meaningful resistance, and then went ahead to engage in a duel. This viewpoint describes the Blacks as being people who are in some sort of comfort zone with regard to advocating for sociopolitical reforms regarding the plight of the Blacks. For this reason, the Blacks are seen as being a generally apathetic group of people with regard to seeking socioeconomic rights similar to those of the Whites. On the other hand, the denotative symbolic meaning of the blindfolded condition of the Black youths is that Blacks do not generally carefully ponder over most of their actions. For instance, it is without doubt that the duel that the Blacks are engaged in is very messy owing to the lack of the contribution of the important sense of sight. It thus follows that what the youths employ mostly as they duel is intuition and even mere guesswork. Similarly, Blacks are symbolically described as doing their things haphazardly through this symbolic element. In conclusion, Ellison’s Invisible Man novel’s ‘battle royal’ element uses the symbolic element of the dueling and blindfolded Black youths to explore certain Black qualities. For example, this depiction shows that Blacks generally lack a definite focus in their activities. Conversely, the general apathy among Blacks is demonstrated.

Mass Media Creates Rather Than Reflects Social Reality Media Essay Essay Example

Mass Media Creates Rather Than Reflects Social Reality Media Essay Essay Example Mass Media Creates Rather Than Reflects Social Reality Media Essay Paper Mass Media Creates Rather Than Reflects Social Reality Media Essay Paper from e-mails to e-newspapers. This has made it so easy to pass on ; you could easy talk your head and even demo the universe what you ve got through YouTube ( Kuerschner, 2006, p.11 ) . When one is sitting in their life room to watch music picture from MTV, different readings arise, but one thing is common-MTV clearly displays the manner music has developed. MTV has by and large been a symbol of those who are immature and jaunty. The music, the life style of blame stars, stone stars, dad stars have liberally set new standards, which are seriously followed by the immature. MTV has increased its presence in oriental states ; this has been observed as an invasion from the West and a devastation of conventional values. There has been a creative activity of new styles of walking, speaking, vesture, and accordingly believing for the immature oriental heads. For illustration, MTV s epoch in Japan is rapidly associated with the birth of the rebellious Nipponese striplings. However, it is unfeignedly incorrect to believe that the MTV itself creates world from nowhere or to reason that the MTV is responsible for all alterations in the modern-day technologically advanced Japa n. The MTV has really been successful in the western universe, and so in the remainder of the universe merely because it has continued to back up and amplify the values that are inherently held and nurtured by these societies. The modern-day society is more broad, more self-generated, and more rebellious ; this may be as a consequence of industrialisation, and the media serves as an amplifier of such values. If the modern media would alternatively presume a more conservative figure, the expected consequence would be its extinction. ( Connell, 1995, p. 9 ) Information has a important consequence on people lives. For illustration watching the universe cup can do one to see a gamut of emotions, a sense of delectation, jitteriness and even bitterness at the same clip. Watching films can take person s head off from world ; this may convey inspiration to make move in a certain manner. Therefore, information has created a myriad of avenues to the society but at the same clip the society has become to a great extent dependent on these avenues ( Newbold et al. , 2002, p. 31 ) . The movie devising industry is another notable illustration. Several alterations have occurred in this industry and the modern cinematography industry has witnessed extremist alterations in the physical visual aspect of histrions and actresses. Main actresses have become symbols of beauty. Modern films depict beauty as tall and slim. More grounds can be seen from the modern postings and magazine screens display of images of adult females. The societal appetency and gustatory sensation for the adult female organic structure have truly changed over clip. The figure of a adult male is displayed as tall and good built ( Parenti 1990, p. 6 ) . The media has significantly propagated a certain type of beauty. Think about it this manner, what if the media starts to advance short and fat theoretical account of beauty, would it be successful? This inquiry may have more No than yes , this means a uncertainty in the ability of the media to make the beauty that is non inherently held by the soc iety. Another illustration is watching a film of the hero robbing a bank with dramatic inventiveness ; this instills negative messages into the multitudes ( McGillion, C. , 2003, p. 33 ) . Generally stealing is incorrect, but the hero of the film walks out free, and goes to hold fun without any scruples. Such films create negative values that are against the rules of honestness ( Barr, 2000, para.2 ) . However, the media plays a important function in showing facts and worlds say from newspapers on development, finance, justness, poorness, e.t.c, which are existent contemplations of what is go oning in the society ( Newbold, 2002, pp. 219 ) . The values and outlook of the society is displayed as a whole instead than as an person. Renowned scholar James Curran argued that The strong belief aˆÂ ¦ that the media are of import bureaus of influence is loosely right. However, the ways in which the media exert influence are complex and contingent ( p. 158 ) . For illustration the manner the media has reported on terrorist act has truly instilled fright in the heads of people ( Cozens, 2006 ) . The abhorrence of terrorist act has on the other manus turned others into pacificist. The media is arguably the most of import signifier of showing positions and it is itself a potpourri of person s and society s positions ( Fiske 1989, p. 127 ) . With all these said, some view the media as being broad but a closer analysis reveals otherwise, the proprietors of media mercantile establishments are non broad themselves. Media mercantile establishments are concerns that are kept afloat by advertisement grosss. It is true that some media mercantile establishments do a good occupation of being impartial. But when a Television station backs a political campaigner who is sponsored by concern heavy weights it must pay the monetary value ( Kalathi, S, 2004, p.40 ) . Money of class straight buys influence as a consequence it affects how media covers a certain event ( Price, 2002, p. 13 ) . It is a medium for the opinion category to perpetuate their power, wealth and position ( Barr, 2000, p. 17 ) . Therefore, the media in this sense does non reflect world ( Curran, 2002, p. 45 ) . Decision The thesis of this paper is that the media does play a function in making world from underlying social values. Therefore, the media can non make values of its ain. The article puts the comparative advantage and disadvantage of the power of the media in making world, with an accent on the manner the society has inherently allowed this to go on.

The theory of utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The theory of utilitarianism - Essay Example Utilitarianism theory is referred to by some as the consequentialist ethical theory. It is expressed in the form that asserts that people should always act so as to produce the greatest ratio of good to evil for everyone. This has great appeal in the area of welfare economics and does not differ dramatically from the philosophies and beliefs of Keynes, Pareto, and Pigou; some might even include Marx in this category. The utilitarians believe that when choosing between two actions, the one that produces the greatest net happiness should be the one chosen. Where most of them disagree with one another is in the area of how this principle should be applied. There are also several stated weaknesses in this concept. It ignores actions that appear to be wrong in themselves; it espouses the concept that the end justifies the means; the principles may come into conflict with that of justice; and it is extremely difficult to formulate and establish satisfactory rules of application.Utilitarian ism manifests itself in two major forms. The stronger of the two is so-called act-utilitarianism. Under this system, the moral agent considers the consequences of only the action under consideration. The second system is called rule-utilitarianism. Here the moral agent considers a set of rules by which life should be lived. The basis of accepting or rejecting a rule is whether the consequences of everyone following the rule will result in the maximum probable good consequences. Rule-utilitarianism may be regarded as a weaker form of utilitarianism than act-utilitarianism.... Most professionals are already familiar with a system that acts very much like utilitarianism: cost/benefit analysis. In the cost/benefit system the manager attempts to balance the probable costs of taking a particular course of action with the probable benefits to be derived. Most people realize that cost/benefit analysis becomes more and more sticky as the analysis moves away from measurability in terms of dollars. Measurement of benefits has been particularly problematic. Writers on this subject have attempted to balance the costs of companies reporting on their adherence to social responsibility with the costs of not doing so. Bentham was classified in England as utilitarian with the application of hedonism on the social level; that is, happiness is the end of all human existence. He based his social reform on what he considered right and wrong, which in turn was developed from his definition of utility (Rosen 19). Utility was measured on a pain-happiness relationship, which was reduced to a common denominator: money. This reduction to the common factor of money was necessary because different people have different utility for the same item. Although his ideas were considered controversial at the time, they were later accepted by many, as can be seen in a recent study conducted by the American Council on Education of more than 200,000 students. The survey showed that more than three quarters of college freshmen now think that getting rich is what will make them happy and what life is all about. Twenty years ago, only 39 percent indicated that affluence was an essential goal; at that time, a "meaningful phi losophy of life" was what mattered -- a goal that now motivates only a minority of students (Rosen 21). Critics of utilitarianism