Horrors of a Slave Ship Essay - 853 Words

Jill Knierim The Horrors of a Slave Ship History 1301-Villarreal Due Date: 3/8/13 The article, The Horrors of a Slave Ship, is first person point of view account of the capturing of Olaudah Equiano. He tells the story of how he was captured from his home while his parents were away to be used as a slave. The article starts off with Olaudah and his sister being captured while their parents were away. They were taken into the woods, tied up, and forced to travel bound without food. After many days of traveling, Olaudah and his sister were separated. From that point he was passed around and finally landed in the hands of his first owner. His first owner was a smith and Olaudah worked in his shop. He was there for about a month†¦show more content†¦He was quickly bought again by a wealthy neighbor and her son. Under this master, Olaudah was allowed to dine at the table with them and felt that he was adopted into the family, so much so that the son would not eat until Olaudah had gotten his food because Olaudah was older. This home was great and allow ed him to forget about the hard times of a slave. Then, suddenly Olaudah was taken from this home and transported to the slave ship. Aboard the slave ship he was restrained and beaten for refusing food. All the slaves on the ship were living in very close uncomfortable quarters. Some were tied down and those that weren’t were watched very closely so they could not escape. If someone tried to jump off the boat to escape, they were severely punished and beaten. While the ship was at the coast, all the slaves on the ship were forced below deck where the smell of body odor and excrement was breathtaking. Diseases were spread among the slaves in these tight quarters and many slaves died due to the unfit conditions. Once the ship reached Barbados, everyone aboard the ship was forced ashore and into the merchant yard. Here they were sold once again. The author of this article experienced the ups and downs of being a slave and intends to inform people through this article. Olaudah told all about his different experiences of being a slave from being taken from his home while his parentsShow MoreRelatedThe Horrors of a Slave Ship1030 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Horrors of a Slave Ship,† describes in detail, the tragic experiences of Olaudah Equiano as a captive slave. Equiano suffered many sleepless nights; he was flogged and kidnapped multiple times. In the article, the author is trying to give the reader the feeling by giving details of the brutally floggings and desperation as many slaves suffocated to death as they were placed in an overcrowded deck. Overall, the author tries to give readers their point across of the difficulties in being a captiveRead MoreThe Horrors Of A Slave Ship : By Olaudah Equiano2077 Words   |  9 PagesSydney Perez Lopez History 1301 MW Professor Lewellen November 18th, 2015 E-reader Assignment The Horrors of a Slave Ship: By Olaudah Equiano {pg. 108 – pg. 117} The main focus of the document, The Horrors of a Slave Ship, is over a topic of a young boy given the name Gustavus Vassa who shared his story of his own slavery experience. He writes about a journey of heartbreak and terror and all of the restrictions he endured. He first describes the day he was kidnapped, then all of the families heRead MoreEssay Olaudah Equiano1130 Words   |  5 PagesAfrica untill he arrived at the coast where he was loaded onto a slave ship. While crossing the Atlantic to Barbados onboard the slave ship he and his countrymen were subject to horrors you could hardly imagine. Equiano tells about the horrors and torture slaves face not only on the slave ship but also on plantations and many other aspects of a slaves life. Equiano experienced almost all parts of a slaves existence. He was a slave throughout Africa, England, and the New World. Equiano is boughtRead MoreOlaudah Equiano And Mary Rowlandson Essay1264 Words   |  6 Pageshard conditions, facing unb earable horror, and events that deteriorated their lives forever, both Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano share similar experiences they encountered in their lifetime, as well as differences, allowing us to compare the two and the hardships they faced. As Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano had variation between both of their experiences, such as gender roles and different ages and past life, they both experienced relatively the same horror nobody should have to experienceRead MoreSlave Ship Analysis844 Words   |  4 Pages Slave Ship Karl Volkmar Western Governors Universityâ€Æ' Slave Ship Slave Ship was painted by J.M.W. Turner in the year 1840. At first glance, the sky and the ship in the background stood out to me above all else. The intensity of the brushstrokes and the colors of the sunlight set the stage for the powerful scene in the water. Between the strong waves in the water and the hands reaching out in desperation, this painting truly captures the horrors of the ships used to transport slaves. One aspectRead MoreEquiano s From The Interesting Narrative Of Olaudah Equiano980 Words   |  4 PagesOlaudah Equiano’s â€Å"From the Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano† is written with the intent of ending the slave trade and aiding the abolitionists’ movement. His narrative tells his personal story of kidnapping, being sold into slavery and his experience in the middle passage. According to this account Olaudah Equiano grew up in Africa with a large family. He was captured and sold into slavery at age eleven. As an adult he became an o pposing voice to slavery. This autobiography was publishedRead MoreThe Slave Ship By Marcus Rediker1415 Words   |  6 PagesThe Slave Ship was written by Marcus Rediker and it tells several accounts of the African slave trade as well as the world of the middle passage. The author discusses the nature of the slave ship and the African paths to the middle passage. Rediker also mentions the lives of historical figures (Olaudah Equiano, James Field Stanfield, and John Newton) and the roles that they had during the Atlantic slave trade. For the African captives, the sailors, and captains, the slave ship was seen as a woodenRead MoreEssay on Olaudah Equiano1220 Words   |  5 Pagesdocumentations in historical books, the history of the twelve million African slaves that traveled the â€Å"Middle Passage† in miserable conditions would not exist. Olaudah Equiano contributes to this horrid history with The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. Through this narrativ e, the appalling personal experience of each slave is depicted. He accomplishes his rhetorical purpose of informing the world of the slave experience in this narrative. His use of unique style and rhetorical devicesRead MoreThe Slavery Of The Slave Ships1157 Words   |  5 Pagesonboard the slave ships became a constant battle for survival, as the gruesome conditions below the deck presented formidable physical health problems. Burnside describes the African slaves descent into hell: Once aboard the ship, the prisoners entered a frightening new world†¦Whatever miseries they had experienced in Africa were nothing compared to the ordeal they now faced, and however ignorant they were of the exact course of the nightmare would take, they could sense the horror. Some of theRead MoreOlaudah Equiano The Middle Passage Analysis839 Words   |  4 Pagesthe cruelty and wickedness of men. It is clear that Equiano was a slave in another household in Africa and was sold and placed on the ship to be sold to another master in another country. From the time Equiano boards the ship, he finds the white men or crew he encounters as bad spirits and does not know what to make of their widely differing complexions, long hair and different language. From Equianos initial boarding of the ship to the arriving in Barbados to be sold off in a lot, the crew and

Nistories of Churches in Ipoti Ekiti Area of Ekiti -Nigeria

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHURCHES IN IPOTI ARCHDEACONRY OUR SAVIOUR’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, IPOTI – EKITI According to the history of Christianity in Nigeria, Christianity in Ipoti-Ekiti can be traced to the one that started in Badagry in 1842. It came late to Ekiti land because of Kiriji war and Ekiti Parapo war which ranged from 1877 to 1893. Hence Christianity began in Ekiti in 1893. Among those who planted Christianity in Ijero area was Pa Ogunleye who was a native of Ipoti. He was the one sent by Madam Helena Fatiregun Doherty from Lagos to Ijero, but Pa Ogunleye did not make influence on the Christianity in Ipoti. Christianity in Ipoti started in 1897 through a man named Samson Ajayi Ogbon Edun who was a native of Ipoti. This†¦show more content†¦The foundation of the present church was laid in 1981 and dedicated in 2004. LIST OF CHURCH WORKERS 1. Mr. Oye 2. Mr. John Ajayi 3. Mr. Olaniyan 4. Mr. Olusanmokun 5. Mr. Williams 6. Rev. A Amoo Elegbede - 1974 – 1981 7. Rev. S.K. Adeloye - 1981 – 1982 8. Rev. J.J. Aledare - 1982 - 1987 9. Rev. Canon S.A Fatuase - 1987 – 1988 10. Rev. S. Yemi Oke - 1988 – 1994 11. Rev. S.A Awosusi - 1994 – 1996 12. Rev. A.B.S Jegede - 1996 – 2002 13. Rev. Canon J.A.O. Ajayi - 2002 – 2003 14. Rev. Canon Mike O Oguntuase - 2003 – 2007 15. Rev. Canon T.o. Akinyemi - 2007 – 2009 16. Rev. Canon V.O. Akintoye - 2009 – 2010 17. Rev. canon S.K.O.B Akinola - 2010 - Date ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, AYEGUNLE-EKITI Christianity was introduced to Ayegunle ny Pa Abraham Adeogun in the year 1897. He was supported by some people who had embraced Christianity from their places of work. Some of this people were: D.F. Inadagbo, Pa J.R. Ayegbusi, Elijah Oke, Jonathan Abe, Jacob Usikalu, Isaiah Aderaku Omikunle and Emmanuel Aladelokun Bankole. Other converts who joined them were Samuel Omoobe, Amos Adeoye, Daniel idibon, Josiah Ogunleye, Ologun Ele, Abigail Aderibise, Gabriel Adalumo, Johusa Alaka, Jacob Egbede Ajayi. In the beginning Christians were faced with persecution and were going to Ijero to worship. In 1900 the first church wasShow MoreRelatedNistories of Churches in Ipoti Ekiti Area of Ekiti -Nigeria2364 Words   |  10 PagesA BRIEF HISTORY OF CHURCHES IN IPOTI ARCHDEACONRY OUR SAVIOUR’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, IPOTI – EKITI According to the history of Christianity in Nigeria, Christianity in Ipoti-Ekiti can be traced to the one that started in Badagry in 1842. It came late to Ekiti land because of Kiriji war and Ekiti Parapo war which ranged from 1877 to 1893. Hence Christianity began in Ekiti in 1893. Among those who planted Christianity in Ijero area was Pa Ogunleye who was a native of Ipoti. He was the one sent by

The Function Of The Tragic Greek Chorus - 1295 Words

In â€Å"The Function of the Tragic Greek Chorus Theatre,† Albert Weiner, who is known for editing Hamlet: The First Quarto, 1603, explains that the Chorus in Greek drama was a troupe of actors who described and commented on the main action of the play through song, dance and recitation (205). Weiner goes on to explain that Greek tragedy began with choral performances dating back to the 5th century B.C. (205). In Weiner’s article, he pulls a quote from Chapter 18 of Aristotle’s Poetics, where Aristotle makes a crucial claim as to what the Chorus should be: â€Å"the Chorus too should be regarded as one of the actors; it should be an integral part of the whole, and share in the action† (qtd. in Weiner, 205). Aristotle goes on to say that â€Å"[the Chorus] should be a part of the whole enterprise and share in the action† (205). The more the Chorus is integrated into the play, the more it becomes more of a character. Christopher Marlowe’s Doct or Faustus, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as well as his Macbeth’s witches all serve as a tool for play progression and representation of theme; by identifying these points, the Chorus becomes an actor in its own right. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the Chorus sets the scene by acting as the prologue to the play. It is here that the Chorus describes a â€Å"pair of star-cross’d lovers;† that by taking their lives end the feud between their families (I.Prologue. 5-6). Then the Chorus explicitly says that the two lovers and the strife between theirShow MoreRelatedThe Chorus as a Homonym 1168 Words   |  5 Pages In Jean Anouilh’s Antigone and in Euripides’s Medea the Chorus is both a tool for characterization and representation of theme; however, the ways they function in their respective plays are noticeably different. The differences in the way the Choruses function in each respective play make the name of the character  "the Chorus† a homonym, same name different meaning. The Chorus in Antigone functions to incorporate the technique of metatheatre. The purpose of metatheatre is to provide a separationRead MoreOedipus Rex1350 Words   |  6 PagesGreek Tragedy The Greek drama Oedipus Rex is clearly a tragedy. It definitely meets the five main criteria for a tragedy: a tragic hero of noble birth, a tragic flaw, a fall from grace, a moment of remorse, and catharsis. Interestingly, even though Oedipus the King came before Poetics, Sophocles’ play illustrates Aristotle’s rules for classical drama. Oedipus the King particularly displays a tragic emotion, a tragic character, and a tragic fall. Aristotle also writes that such a drama ought to haveRead MoreEssay on The Function of the Greek Chorus1002 Words   |  5 Pagesmilestones, and popular morality. The Greeks skill in weaving stories and imagery was so intricately powerful that a complete universe was created in their legends. The chorus was one of the primary tools for elegantly setting the stage for such detailed works. In Mythology, Edith Hamilton exalts the works of Aeschylus, which heavily employ the chorus for context, saying â€Å"With Homer, they are the most impor tant source for our knowledge of the myths.† (17) The chorus provides insight to classicists,Read MoreThe Psychological Connection to Oedipus the King1387 Words   |  6 Pagesand Scholar Robert Graves wrote in 1995, â€Å"Myth has two main functions. The first is to answer the sort of awkward questions that children ask, such as ‘Who made the world? How will it end? Who was the first man? Where do souls go after death?’†¦The second function of myth is to justify an existing social system and account for traditional rites and customs.† Oedipus the King written by Sophocles in 430 B.C. focuses around the second function that Graves noted. The play has been around for centuriesRead MoreAntigone Study Guide Questions Wood722 Words   |  3 PagesAntigone has thought her decision through? Why or why not? 4. Why does Antigone get so angry at her sister? Do you think that Ismene is being practical or that she is being cowardly? What reasons do you have for that opinion? 5. The speeches of the Chorus and Choragus interrupt the action of the play to describe the battle to the audience. What do these city elders look forward to in the future? 6. Do you think that Creon’s punishment of Polyneices is just and fair? Why? 7. Why did the sentryRead MoreThe First Six Lessons And William Shakespeare s As You Like It Essay1351 Words   |  6 PagesTheatre stage conventions are used to heighten and convey a story’s narrative in the Greek, Medieval and Elizabethan Eras of theatre. Each era built on the foundations of Greek theatre staging, through all of this are a perspective of modern Theatre was born. In order to understand a play, one must detail the conventions associated with the production. One must ask themselves if the play a presentational or representational piece? In this paper, I will be comparing staging conventions through AntigoneRead MoreAnalyse the Dramatic Uses of the Chorus in Greek Tragedy; in What Ways Do Traces of the Choric Function Occur in Twentieth-Century Drama?3335 Words   |  14 PagesThe full influence of Greek tragedy upon our modern theatre is incomprehensible, with the mainstays of theatrical convention largely demonstrating roots within Greek tragedy. The chor ic function is just one of these conventions. This essay hopes to explore various uses of the Chorus within Greek tragedies by Aeschylus and Sophocles, and then to analyse how traits of a Greek Chorus, and the choric function can be found within 20th Century Theatre. The Chorus in Greek tragedy was a large group (itRead MoreRole Of The Chorus : Viewer Or Participant?1567 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of the Chorus: Viewer or Participant? Throughout the canon of Greek Tragedy, playwrights have told many stories with a wide range of characters. Tales of revenge, redemption, lust, greed, and pride, as told by gods, kings, heroes, and murderers among many others. Throughout all of these works, one aspect remains consistent: that of the chorus. This group, which interjects periodically throughout the play to sing in unison, is a feature common to all Greek tragedies. That being said, whenRead MoreThe Dramatic Importance of the Role of Alfieri in A View From the Bridge1115 Words   |  5 Pagesmodern world while encountering the difficulty of how to deal with the responsibility of individuals as seen in Greek tragedies. This was a big aim for Arthur Millers play to have made a Modern Greek tragedy with all the main ingredients of one. These main attributes for a Greek tragedy can all be seen in A view from the bridge and some of these include the chorus who is in the form of Alfieri while other aspects include the antagonist, a catastrophe, a prologue, a protagonistRead MoreThe Role Of The Chorus And Its Impact On The Audience2287 Words   |  10 Pages THE ROLE OF THE CHORUS AND ITS IMPACT ON THE AUDIENCE IN OEDIPUS THE KING Angad Dev Singh History of Drama and Theater I Optional Research Paper Tenth of December 2014 The chorus is an essential feature of Greek classical drama. Instances of various types of dance, singing, and speech are some elements of a Greek chorus. â€Å"Composed of similarly costumed men, they performed on the orchestra located beneath the stage. The chorus stayed in the orchestra for

Clinging Friends free essay sample

A good friend is like a full-time emotional and moral support system, but a clinging friend is like a full-time Job. In this definition essay, the concept of a clinging friend would be defined in detail. To define a clinging friend, we first need to define the word clinging. In dictionary terms, clinging refers to a being overly dependent on somebody for emotional support. Thus, a person who clings is the one who depend upon someone else for emotional and moral support, a bit too much.The term is also seed by people for whom an overly dependent friend or relative is unwelcome. The Clinging Friend: Overly Dependent The first part of the definition of clinging friend states that he/she is an individual who is overly dependent upon someone else. Such clinging friends not only monopolize another persons time, they also limit the other persons ability to be and show his/her best, because how and with who they spend their time becomes limited. We will write a custom essay sample on Clinging Friends or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This overconfidence of the clinging friend creates a physically and notionally taxing situation where his/her happiness takes precedence over the happiness of the other Individual. The Clinging Friend: Need for Emotional Support It cannot be said that a clinging friend Is necessarily a bad Influence; however, It Is an unwelcome burden for most people. A clinging friend Is one who promises to keep one company all the time, which In turn means that he/she constantly need that emotional support.So, being friends with a clinging friend Is not only emotionally draining, It Is similar to a full-time, hands-on Job. The friendship with a clinging friend Is neither honest nor pleasant, and It also not a healthy relationship. Conclusion In conclusion, It can be said that a clinging behavior result from various reasons Like possessiveness, but the primary reason behind such attitude Is over dependency and need for emotional support. Friendship Is a relation which needs equal give and take of su pport from both sides. If one person keeps on demanding emotional support without returning any, the friendship becomes a burden and a negative Influence Clinging Friends By model 984 word clinging. In dictionary terms, clinging refers to a being overly dependent on happiness of the other individual. It cannot be said that a clinging friend is necessarily a bad influence; however, it is an unwelcome burden for most people. A clinging friend is one who promises to keep one company all the time, which in turn means that he/she constantly need that emotional support.So, being friends with a clinging friend is not only emotionally raining, it is similar to a full-time, hands-on Job. The friendship with a clinging friend is neither honest nor pleasant, and it also not a healthy relationship. In conclusion, it can be said that a clinging behavior result from various reasons like possessiveness, but the primary reason behind such attitude is over dependency and need for emotional support.

A Critique of Dantes Patriotism Essay Example For Students

A Critique of Dantes Patriotism Essay Dante: A Patriot Through Inferno Patriotism is respect and devotion toward a state which brings about unity and justice. It is believed to be a positive quality. In the time of Dante, it would have been considered to be a principal quality of a person. Patriotism was held to the highest regard. In turn, the act of being unpatriotic was a serious offense. Early scholars such as Machiavelli believed unpatriotic acts or beliefs to be evil, even equivalent to the act of murder. Dante is often criticized as being unpatriotic toward his home town of Florence in his divine comedy Inferno. Although he does harshly criticize Florence, Dante remains patriotic because he is standing up against evils in the name of justice, which is a patriotic act. Dante Alighieri was born in Florence, Italy in 1265. At the time of Dantes birth, Florence was a prosperous city-state, full of greedy merchants and warring political factions. The two most influential families in Florence were the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. The Guelphs were supporters of the Pope and the Ghibellines supported the German emperor, who claimed power in Italy. In 1266, the Guelphs, with whom Dantes family was associated and aided by the French, gained power. The Ghibellines were ousted from power forever. By 1295 the Guelphs were firmly established and many of the Ghibellines were in exile. At this time the Guelphs split into two factions: the Whites and the Blacks. The White Guelphs were members of the Cerci family, and the Black Guelphs were members of the Donati family. The White faction decided to prosecute the Blacks for going to ask the Pope to intervene on their behalf. Dante was one of the White magistrates responsible for this decision. During his term Dante had to banish his own brother-in-law who was a ringleader for the Blacks. After much bloodshed the Blacks were banished from Florence. The next year the Blacks conspired with Pope Boniface VIII. Together they devised a plan to turn on the Whites and admit back the Blacks. The Blacks then tried many of the White leaders. Among them was Dante. About six hundred, including Dante, were sentenced to death if they were ever caught in Florence again. While in exile, the White Guelphs attempted to re-establish a monarchy in Italy by putting Henry of Luxemborg on the throne. Their efforts were futile. Dante was exiled in 1302 and never again returned to his home town. He would never forget the corruption that existed at the time of his exile. In his life, he would make an effort to free Florence from the evils through his writing. Dante criticizes his home town for being a place of corruption and evil. In his criticism there is hope for purification. Dante scolds Florence in the same manner that a father scolds a child. The father scolds the child out of love with the intention of making the child the best person possible. By making apparent the evils and corruption of Florence, Florence has a chance to be saved. In the Sixth Circle of Hell Dante notices sepulchers or burial vaults in which the lids have all been lifted and no guardian is watching over them (Alighieri 10.7-9). Within the Sixth Circle of Hell Dante comes upon a Florentine named Farinata degli Uberti. Farinatas first question for Dante is Who were your ancestors? (10.42). This immediately defines the strong relationship between family and politics during the time of Dante. The relationship between Dante and Farinata is one of aversion yet respect. There is certainly no love between them and Dante show this when telling of Farinatas family history. He states, If they were driven outthey still returned, both times, from every quarter; but yours were never quick to learn that art (10.49-51). Dante refers to his own family being exiled twice and both times returning to regain power. .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c , .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .postImageUrl , .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c , .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c:hover , .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c:visited , .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c:active { border:0!important; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c:active , .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u12d17868035a95ebca64ce300645908c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Eating Healthy Essay He then refers to the one and only time the Ghibellines were exiled and their inability to overcome defeat. This shows the tension between them. However, Dante refers to Farinata as magnamino or great-hearted one (10.73). This is a show of Dantes respect for Farinata. He respects him for his courage in .

The Idea of Orientalism Portrayed in James Camerons Avatar Essay Example

The Idea of Orientalism Portrayed in James Camerons Avatar Essay The Idea of Orientalism Portrayed in James Cameron’s Avatar Abstract In brief, this study discusses about the representation of orientalism idea which is portrayed in the film Avatar. The film tells about the conflict between human and native people in Planet Pandora, where human exploits the land and oppresses the native. This study explores in what way the idea of orientalism is represented and how both narrative and non-narrative aspects of the film helped in delivering that representation. Indeed, to explore the focus of analysis, the study will be completed by applying orientalism criticism proposed by Edward Said. Thereby, this research will be a qualitative research where the data is taken from the film Avatar, library research, journals, and other resources which appropriate in conducting the analysis. This study discovers that Avatar shows the idea of orientalism in three different pursuits: an academic discipline, a style of thought and a corporate institution for dealing with the Orient. Thus, hopefully this will be completed as expected and may give contribution in literary research focusing on film analysis. Key words: Orientalism, Oppression, Narrative, Non-Narrative, Orient. Introduction The European colonialism towards almost the whole Eastern regions has caused the cultural dominance of Western. The European tends to see that they are more civilized and advanced than the colonized people. Tyson states that the colonizers saw themselves at the center of the world; the colonized were at the margins. Furthermore, he also states that the colonizers also saw themselves as the embodiment of what a human being should be, the proper â€Å"self†; native peoples were considered â€Å"other,† and different (419). We will write a custom essay sample on The Idea of Orientalism Portrayed in James Camerons Avatar specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Idea of Orientalism Portrayed in James Camerons Avatar specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Idea of Orientalism Portrayed in James Camerons Avatar specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The colonial discourse of â€Å"self† and â€Å"other† thus leads to the practice of othering, which is the practice of judging the different as less than fully human (Tyson 420). This practice of othering can be seen not only in the written text such as literature but also in the narrative of the performed human culture. The â€Å"other† that is created through narratives is imaginary, stereotypical, and biased. But the details of the narratives lend crucial insight into the identity formation of the â€Å"self† as differentiated from the exaggerated â€Å"other† (Roberts 4). There is another specific form of othering called Orientalism. The term of Orientalism appears in the book with the same title Orientalism written by Edward Said, a preeminent scholar and an important figure in postcolonial studies who is also known as an activist n Middle Eastern politics. Orientalism purpose is to produce a positive national self-definition for Western nations by contrast with Eastern nations on which the West projects all the negative characteristics it doesn’t want to believe exist among its own people (Tyson 420). Said’s Orientalism is a study of ‘the West’s’ representation of ‘the East’ and, in particular, how they underpinned imperialist political ambitions and administrations (Baldwin et al. 169). As an academic discipline, Orientalism emerged in the late eighteenth century and has since assembled an archive of knowledge that has served to perpetuate and reinforce Western representations of ‘the East’ which is also known to be ‘the Orient’ (Ashcroft 57). The idea of Orientalism in recent days can be found in current Western depictions of Arab culture and the discussion of politics in Middle East which is closely associated with terrorism. However, the idea of Orientalism does not merely exist only in either the current affair of Western and Middle East or the literature works which represent the distinctive identity between ‘the West’ and ‘the East’, but also in the recent movie production. In 2009 there is one movie production titled Avatar which has a strong depiction of Orientalism. Avatar is directed by James Cameron. This is an adventure sci-fi movie which is delivered in a 3D format. This movie got 56 nominations and won 3 Oscars and 25 other awards. The film reached the second highest blockbuster movie gross in its first month release date and also became the first movie that delivers truly photo-real CG technology. Besides all the awards and the technology this movie has presented, the clear depiction of Orientalism idea in this movie becomes the main reason Avatar is chosen to be the subject of this study. The plot of this movie tells about the exploitation done by human towards Planet Pandora, the place in which the valuable mineral can be obtained. In that place, human has to face and overcome the struggle of the native called Na’vi who opposes the land exploitation. Human scientists invent the avatar program which enables human to drive their avatar body, a genetically-bred human-Na’vi hybrid, and therefore human can freely observes and persuades the native to surrender their land. Here, the idea of Orientalism clearly depicted in the way human represents the native as primitive and uncivilized and how human tries to educate and build the native in the way human believes to be the best way. There are several critics towards Avatar which states that this movie contains racist themes in which the white hero once again saving the primitive natives. The editor in chief sci-fi magazines Jesse Washington writes that Avatar reminds her of Pocahontas story which also tells about how the main white characters realize that they are complicit in a system which is destroying aliens or people of color, and then go beyond assimilation and become leaders of the people they once oppressed. Furthermore, she criticizes the way Avatar is picturing the native incapability to save their selves (The Huffington Post, 2009). This review also supports the idea of orientalism since being white man wan an idea and reality which involved a reasoned position towards both the white and non-white world. Said further suggests that being a White Man, in short, was a very concrete manner of being in the world, a way of taking hold of reality, language, and thought (226). However, Avatar is the new film production which contains the idea of orientalism. This film represents the story in a more advanced technology. Also, during the process of this research, there is no publication of other researches which is using this film and the idea of orientalism as their main subject. Thus, Avatar is worth to be analyzed in this study. From the previous explanation about the issue which will be analyzed, this study will mainly focuses in analyzing how the idea of orientalism represented in the movie through the depiction of the human and the native relation and also how the narrative and non-narrative aspects of the film build that idea. Orientalism by Edward Said is believed to be the most appropriate theory approach of the study. The theory of narrative and non-narrative of film also will be used in this study since the subject of this study is a film, thus the analysis cannot just rely on the story or narrative of the film, but also the non-narrative aspect which plays the same important role in shaping the film. The Idea of Orientalism Represented in Avatar The analysis will be focuses on the representation of the idea of orientalism portrayed in the film Avatar. The film tells about the conflict between human and the native of Planet Pandora called Na’vi which is caused by the oppression and land exploitation done by human. A valuable mineral called unobtanium which only exists in Pandora is the main motive why human try to conquer the place. Pandora, which has the different geographical condition from earth, becomes the object of learning and discovery by human. Thus, Pandora represents the Orient and human represents the Occident. A. Orientalism in the Narrative of Film One way of approaching films is to see them as stories. It involves analyzing the various ways in which some common recurring features of storytelling and plot structures are developed. The term narrative is really quite simply used as another term for story. But it can also be seen as a more technical term relating to attempts to theorize the principles by which stories are structured (Benyahia et al. 50). Narrative cinema’s function is storytelling not description. Furthermore, narrative refers to the strategies, codes and conventions employed to organize the story (Hayward 256). The story of Avatar is brought by one narrator who is also become the main character, Jake Sully. Through his narration, the story of the film is delivered in his perspective and emotional attachment. From the paralyzed marine, he becomes the hero of Na’vi people. The narrative of the film clearly shows the superiority of human. Jake Sully comes as the chosen hero character which in the end of the story saves Na’vi people from human ambition to conquer the Orient. The appearance of Jake Sully as the narrator of the story also initiates that this character has the power to represents the Orient and the Oriental. Thus, human still represented as the superior one since the Na’vi people cannot save themselves. They are saved and helped by the coming of Jake Sully. Even the spirit of Eywa, the native’s goddess, gives the message that places Jake Sully as the important character in the first place. The idea of Orientalism is portrayed in the way human defining the Orient as a dangerous place and its people as irrational and uncivilized. Baldwin et al. suggests that Orientalism is not simply a process of description, but a relation of power and domination whereby one group gets to define identities for all by defining the ‘Orient’ and ‘Orientals’ in certain ways (172). Part of the pervasive power of Orientalism is that it refers to at least three different pursuits, all of which are interdependent: an academic discipline, a style of thought and a corporate institution for dealing with the Orient (Ashcroft and Ahluwalia 57). Those three different pursuits of Orientalism appear in Avatar and will be explored specifically. 1. A style of thought Said argues that Orientalism is a style of thought based upon an ontological and epistemological distinction made between the Orient and the Occident (3). Mostly covered by forest, Pandora is seen as the dangerous and mystical place. The place is dominated by giant plants and wild animals. With all its exotic and challenging condition, human tends to see Pandora as the place which is waiting to be conquered. This representation is clearly stated in the beginning of the movie when Colonel gives a speech to the newcomer marines. Conversation 1 (scene 0:06:15) Colonel: You’re not in Kansas anymore. You are on Pandora, ladies and gentlemen. .. Behind that fence, every living thing that crawls, flies or squat in the mud wants to kill you f you wish to survive, you must obey the rule†¦ As for the native people, human places them in the inferior side. Na’vi is determined to be irrational and uncivilized. Na’vi lives in group and they settle in one big tree deep in the forest. They find their food by hunting. They believe in the spirit named Eywa and the flow of energy that lives through all the living things in the planet. Besides their custom, their biological appearance is also different from human. They are two times higher from human and they have blue skin, a tail and a long braid hair which is functioned as their bond device. From all those differences, both appearance and custom, human places themselves in the contrary position of Na’vi. Thus, human are rational and civilized. 2. An Academic Discipline Said suggests that Orientalism is the discipline by which the Orient was – and is approached systematically, as a topic of learning, discovery and practice (73). In the film Avatar, both Pandora and Na’vi people becomes the object of the study of human. The Avatar program itself is the scientist project in combining the DNA of Na’vi and the DNA of human which will become the driver of the avatar body. As described in the film, Pandora has become the specific field of study. Some books have been written by the scientist and those books have been the sorts of knowledge in order to get a description of Pandora, especially for human who never set foot on that place. Conversation 2 (0:10:20) Norm: Grace Augustine is a legend. She’s the head of Avatar Program. She wrote the book. I mean literary wrote the book on Pandoran botany. Conversation 3 (1:11:54) Grace: There is something really interesting going on there biologically. I would die to get samples. Both conversations above clearly show that Pandora has become the topic of learning for human. The knowledge of Pandora is built through the human’s understanding. Thus, the scientists speak for Pandora and Na’vi people. None of the Orient and Oriental can speak for themselves. 3. A corporate institution for dealing with the Orient The third definition of Orientalism as a corporate institution is demonstrative of its amorphous capacity as a structure used to dominate and to authorize the Orient. Hence, Orientalism necessarily is viewed as being linked inextricably to colonialism (Ashcroft and Ahluwalia 57). In the film clearly describes that human try to give Na’vi people education, transportation and health-care through the company policy. Human wants to build Na’vi based on their agenda so that they can dominate and authorize the native. Conversation 4 (0:12:38) Parker: Look, look, you’re supposed to be winning the hearts and the mind of the natives. Isn’t that the whole point of your little puppet show? If you look like them, talk like them, they’ll start trusting us. We build them a school, we teach them English †¦ Na’vi people are taught to speak in English and they are also invited to attend the school which is built for them. Human needs to educate Na’vi people to think like human so that human can freely explores the richness of the land. Furthermore, the main reason the Avatar Program is created is to become the diplomatic solution between human and Na’vi people. Appears in the same biological body with the natives, human intends to persuade Na’vi people to give away their land. Thus, all the corporate institution that is built to Na’vi people in the film Avatar clarifies the intention of the Occident represented by human to dominate and authorize the native. The idea of Orientalism in the film then portrayed hrough the human dominance in the power of knowledge. Human tends to see Pandora as the subject of the study and the place to be conquered of. This idea can be seen in the three different pursuit of Orientalism: a style of thought, an academic discipline and a corporate institution for dealing with the Orient. B. The Supporting Non-Narrative of Film Non-narrative aspect of the film is functioned as the supporting elements in strengthen the idea and meaning proposed by the narrative aspect. Non-narrative contains of cinematography technique which is separated from narration such as setting, costume and make up, and character appearances. In analyzing this study, several non-narrative aspects mentioned above will be analyzed briefly 1. Setting The setting of the film only takes place in the Planet Pandora, the place where human exploits the land to obtain a valuable mineral. The distinction geographical condition between the Orient and the Occident does not appear in the film since Pandora is the only setting of the film. Pandora is located in six years travel time from earth. The planet is mostly covered by wild forest. There is hardly human building since the native lives inside the forest. The setting is dominated by green and giant plants. There are also flying mountains which significantly differs the geographical condition of Pandora and the Earth. The setting of the Orient represents the dangerous and untamed nature in which the Occident try to conquer. Wild and large forest, flying mountains and steep cliff are the dominant setting of the film. Those setting represent the dangerous and challenging nature. Although the setting in which the Occident is represented is the same as the Orient, but there is a clear distinction between the two places. While the Orient is represented in the wild and dangerous environment, the Occident is represented in an advanced technology environment. Human build the headquarters which filled with high technology equipments. There are no green or giant plants in the setting of the Occident. Thus, from the distinction of the setting the message of superiority is clearly shown. Human rules the native through the power of knowledge and technology. 2. Character Appearance The Occident characters are represented through several human characters portrayed in the film. First is Jake Sully, the main character and the hero. He happens to be unexpected person; invalid and not fulfill the requirement to drive the Avatar body, which surprisingly overcome the task by which he is given to. Second is the Colonel character, the man who sees the military force is the best solution on every problem. Third is Grace, a scientist which creates the Avatar program who sees Pandora as the place of learning and discovery. The Orient character is best described by Neytiri and Tsu-tey. Both of them have a great ability to fight and hunt. It is their belief and dependency towards the spirit that clearly shows their weakness. However strong they might be, they still cannot save their people by their own power. 3. Costume and Make Up The distinction between human and Na’vi is clearly shown since Na’vi has a different biological appearance. Na’vi appears in the blue skin and twice height of human. Bellantoni states that many films use an intense turquoise blue as an exotic presence that, because it’s combined with green, visually warms the conservative forces in a tiny village (131). Here clearly stated that the skin color of the Na’vi signifies the exotic presence which always associated with the Orient. The Na’vi barely wears any clothes and there is only some fabric and beads which covers their vital organ. The distinction then does not appear in the costume wear by human compares to Na’vi people, instead it appears on the Avatar body which is driven by human. Although they have the exact same biological body, Avatar body wears the proper clothes according to human custom. Thus, from the distinction of costume it can be clearly seen that Na’vi represents the uncivilized part while human, although becomes the driver of the Avatar body, represents the civilized one . Conclusion Based on the analysis, it can be concluded that Avatar contains the strong idea of Orientalism. Through the distinction power between the Orient which is represented by Planet Pandora and the Occident which is represented by human, the idea of Orientalism is delivered in three interdependent pursuits proposed by Said. First is Orientalism as a style of thought. Pandora is seen as the dangerous and mystical place. Since it has a different geographical condition with earth where human comes from, human tends to see the Orient as the other, the different and contrary identity from them. With all its exotic and challenging condition, human sees Pandora as the place which is waiting to be conquered. Second is Orientalism as an academic discipline. Pandora has been the object of the scientific study by human. Several books and science projects are created in order to give the broad examination of the Orient. Thus, human has the whole knowledge about the Orient. Human speaks for the Orient according to their understanding and none of the Orient able to represent themselves. Third is Orientalism as a corporate institution for dealing with the Orient. In the film clearly describes that human try to give Na’vi people education, transportation and health-care through the company policy. Human wants to build Na’vi based on their agenda so that they can dominate and authorize the native. The idea of Orientalism which is portrayed in Avatar is supported in both narrative and non-narrative aspect of film. Narrative is the story of the film which contains the plot structure which forms the sequence performed in the film. Avatar is narrated by the main character Jake Sully, which then initiates the emotional and perspective attachment towards the problem. The appearance of Jake Sully as the hero who saves Na’vi people from the destruction of human shows that human indeed still has the superiority towards the Orient and Oriental. Na’vi is described to be incapable to save themselves and thus it places them on the weak and inferior side. The film shows that Jake Sully is the chosen one, the character which will be the savior for Na’vi people. The non-narrative aspects of the film also becomes the important part in giving the supportive power in strengthen the idea which is presented in the narrative aspect. The non-narrative aspects analyzed in this study are setting, character appearance, costume and make-up. All four elements in non-narrative aspects give the supportive power in strengthen the idea of Orientalism and the clear distinction between the Orient and the Occident. To conclude, Avatar is one film which contains the issue of Orientalism. Although it is not rely on the specific Western and Eastern region as proposed by Said, but the role of the power of knowledge which defines human as the superior clearly shows the main idea of Orientalism. Moreover, this ilm has achieved three Oscars and has listed in 53 nominations throughout the world. Then it is undeniable that this film gives a great impression towards the film critics. Works Cited Ashcroft, Bill, and Pal Ahluwalia. Edward Said. London: Routledge, 2001. Avatar. Dir. James Cameron. Perf. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver. Twentieth Century-Fox, 2009. Baldwin, et al. Introducing Cultural Studies. London: Pearson Education Limited, 1998. Bellantoni, Patti. If It’s Purple, Someone’s Gonna Die. Focal Press, 2005. Benyahia, Sarah, Freddie Gaffney, and John White. As Film Studies: The Essential Introduction. Routledge, 2006. Hayward, Susan. Cinema Studies: The Key Concept. London: Routledge, 2000. Loomba, Ania. Colonialism / Postcolonialism. London: Routledge, 1998. Purdue OWL. â€Å"MLA Formatting and Style Guide. † The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2009. Roberts, Kathleen G. Alterity and Narrative: Stories and Negotiation of Western Identities. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2007. Said, Edward W. Orientalism. London: Penguin Books, 2003. Tyson, Louis. Critical Theory Today. New York: Garland Publishi ng Inc. , 1999. Washington, Jesse. ‘Avatar’ Critics See Racist Theme. The Huffington Post, 2009.

Moral Topics For Essay Topics

Moral Topics For Essay TopicsSo you've finished a few essay topics and now you're thinking about writing one about moral topics. This is a great topic. It's something that everyone can relate to. We all can say we are living with morals on some level or another.Morality is something that runs through our lives. That's what makes it a topic that people can use for their essays. It's an important part of being a good person. What does it take to live with morals? There are a few things that you should think about when you're working on your essay.First, write about how you've been affected by the many moral dilemmas that have come up in your life. For example, how you've been affected by divorces, the number of people with addictions, or the number of people who say they don't know what they believe in. All of these things affect people's lives in different ways.The more you talk about these things that are surrounding you, the easier it will be to relate to what it is like to live wit h a moral issue. Don't go into depth on any one moral issue. Just take the time to list them all and then go from there.You should also discuss the different types of moral issues. For example, same-sex relationships. They are still very controversial in society. Some people think it's wrong, and others think it's just not a big deal. Talk about what your own views are.Religion is another topic that you may want to consider. Many people will find out the religions they follow and the ones they don't. If you're studying about religion, consider using those as part of your essay.A third thing you might want to consider as you work on your essay on moral issues is family. How are the morals affecting your family? For example, do you and your siblings have to share your moral beliefs, or do you get to choose which ones you practice? You may want to take time to consider this.So that's how you can put a moral issue into your essay. If you do so with success, you should be able to get a g ood grade on your essay.