Netflix and Kill

Miss Representation

This is a documentary about how women are typically portrayed in the media. It shows multiple examples of how the power that a woman has is in her beauty, youth, and sexuality; not in her ability to be a leader. It also explores the implications of this, citing many facts about how women are underrepresented in leadership roles in the government, large corporations, and other areas. I think that Lady Macbeth would watch this because she totally believes in #girlpower. She would think this is interesting because she has experienced the difference between what she is capable of and how she is portrayed to others. She would probably look to this film to get inspiration on how she is expected to act, which would be helpful to her because she is not what you would consider to be “normal”.

Making a Murderer

This is a documentary following Steven Avery, a man who was wrongly convicted of a crime that he spend 18 years in prison for. He then was put on trial for the murder of Teresa Halbach, whose remains were found on his property. The documentary goes through every step of the trial. I feel that Lady Macbeth would watch this because she is a murderer. She would be interested to see how Avery got away with the murder, if he did it. Avery blames the Manitowoc County sheriff’s department for the murder. He says that they framed him for this crime. Lady Macbeth probably watched this before the murder of Duncan and came up with the idea of blaming his guards for the murder.

Quantico

This show is about an FBI training program, specifically Alex Parrish. She is framed by one of her FBI trainee peers for a terrorist attack. The tv show uses flashbacks and flashforwards to tell the story. Lady Macbeth would watch this show because she enjoys adventure shows. She can relate. In the show, Alex does not know who she can trust. This is similar to how Lady Macbeth does not know if she can trust anyone by the end of the play. Her only confidant, Macbeth, has appeared to lose his mind. Lady Macbeth would be able to resonate with Alex Parrish because they both have to keep secrets in order to stay safe.

Brain games
This is a series that studies social phenomena and how your brain works. They often make the viewers participate in games then explain why you answered the way you did. Lady Macbeth would watch this show because she would be interested in how the human brain works in order to deceive others into thinking she did not plan Duncan’s murder and the overthrow of the government so that her and Macbeth would have power. We would now understand that she is deliberate about the decisions she makes to make people believe that she is innocent. She is asserting power not only over Macbeth but also the other people she comes in contact with.

Sources:
https://missrepresentationdenver.wordpress.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_a_Murderer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantico_(TV_series)
http://brainblogger.com/2016/02/01/new-brain-games-exclusive-preview-times-square-mass-mind-reading/

Macbeth Turns Evil

1. Why do people who are not "evil" take the first step into evil? What, for instance, is involved in taking that first step "down the primrose path to the everlasting bonfire" (Macbeth, 2.3)? What are the consequences of the individual choosing evil (particularly the internal consequences)? Use examples from the text to support your opinion.

There are multiple reasons why someone may become evil. People who are not evil may take the first step into evil because they have a chance to obtain power; perhaps power that they have never experienced or more power than they already possess. Power can be deceiving and contort the minds of those who possess it. Evil can also come in many forms. Evil can be hidden or blatantly noticeable. Good people take the first step into evil because of things such as jealousy, pride, and greed.

Evil was first given legitimacy in Macbeth’s mind when he met the three witches. He later contemplates what they have said: “If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man”. Macbeth, who was an upstanding and respected soldier, took his first step towards evil when he contemplated the prophecies presented by the three witches. In this passage, Macbeth is talking to himself about if he should believe what the witches said. He also knows that believing them will mean that Duncan has to die. The thought of murdering Duncan scares Macbeth, but it means that evil was then planted into Macbeth’s head. Power, the throne, is what Macbeth now wants.

Since Macbeth chose to fulfill the prophecy, there were multiple external consequences. Primarily, the death of Duncan, his guards, and Banquo. He first enlisted the help of Lady Macbeth to have the courage to do the deed: “Unsex me here; and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood”. Lady Macbeth was also a victim to evil. In this soliloquy, she cries out to evil spirits to give her the strength and masculinity to kill Duncan. Once Duncan and his guards are killed, Macbeth is racked with grief and regret. However, he tells Lady Macbeth that the prophecy is not yet fulfilled. The murder of Banquo and attempted murder of Fleance are what results in Macbeth’s evil next.

As the story progresses, we see Macbeth become less and less mentally stable. The burden of all he has done has begun to weigh on his mind. He has committed a lot of evil in order to fulfill the prophesy. At first, he is able to keep up appearances in order to hide his murders, but he begins to deteriorate after Banquo’s murder. At the dinner feast, Banquo appeared as a ghost to Macbeth, and Macbeth wasn’t able to conceal what he was seeing; he says to the ghost, “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me”. Macbeth is in anguish over what this evil has made him do. He has become a completely different person. First he was an honorable soldier. Eventually, he became a power-hungry murderer.

Evil came to Macbeth in the form of three witches. They told him that he would be all powerful, only a few people were in his way. Macbeth took the opportunity to become king of Scotland. As a result, he killed Duncan, his guards, and Banquo. Macbeth also suffered mentally because of this. He couldn’t stomach how much harm he had done, and his madness was available for everyone to see. This will ultimately lead to his downfall.






Quotes:Shakespeare, William. Macbeth: FOLGER Shakespeare Library. New York: Washington Square, 1992. Print.
Picture: Madani-Houha, Riad. "This Picture Mocks the Fact That Macbeth Is Killing Everyone in His Sight, Even Women and Children." Pinterest. N.p., 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 04 Dec. 2016. <https://www.pinterest.com/pin/494692340290819084/>.

Blog Post #4

Freebie

Did you really even travel to Canterbury if you didn't buy Thomas Becket's shrine badge?

Artist: Walter of Colchester

Title: Pilgrim's Badge of the Shrine of St. Thomas Becket at Canterbury

Date: 1350–1400

Medium: Cast tin-lead alloy

Size: 3 1/8 x 2 1/2 x 1/8in. (7.9 x 6.4 x 0.3cm)

This badge was made in Canterbury, England. During this time, pilgrims would buy badges like this after completing a pilgrimage to a holy site. This badge was from the Canterbury Cathedral. Saint Thomas Becket’s shrine is here. Saint Thomas Becket was a martyr after being brutally killed in the cathedral in 1170. During this time in England, King Henry II had grievances with the church because they compromised his power.

This badge represents the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket, a former archbishop of the Canterbury Cathedral. Thomas Becket’s body is in the center of the badge. There are models of two ships, one damaged, on the top of the badge. The space on top Thomas Becket is patterned, mostly with circles. There is a figure that is pointing to a ruby on this part of the badge. The ruby was believed to be the largest in the world. There is another figure to the right of Thomas Becket that is modeled pulling up the cover of the shrine with a rope. Below Thomas Becket is a gate-like structure.

The badge was very significant because Thomas Becket was an important martyr for Christians at this time. Having a badge from his shrine at Canterbury Cathedral was evidence of one’s pilgrimage. It also indicated the wealth that they had in order to go on the journey.

The badge looks to be somewhat damaged, but still very much intact. The artist used a lot of detail when making this badge. Thomas Becket’s body is positioned so that his hands are in a praying position. Without context, this indicates that he is a religious man. Additionally, there are lots of jewels on and surrounding the body of Thomas Becket. The artist included this to signify his wealth. The color resulted from the use of the tin and lead used to make the badge. He significantly uses texture to display the desired image. He manipulated the alloy to create the image of Thomas Becket’s body and the surrounding images and designs. He used intricate detail to display the importance of Thomas Becket. Only a famous highly respected religious figure would be intricately encrusted in medal. Also, it is evident that expensive materials were used, considering it has lasted for more than 600 years with very few damages. The artist also included designs that featured many circles, I believe these signified jewels.

To add to the importance of this piece, it is currently in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This work of art conveys that there were religious leaders that competed for power with the king. Also, it gives insight to wealth and social status. The intricacy of the badge indicated Thomas Becket as being of high social class. It signifies the martyrdom of Thomas Becket. This was an important symbol for Christians during the 14th century. For today’s viewers, it would have similar importance for Christians. It signifies the growth and adversity of the Christian church.

Sources:

Image:

"Pilgrim's Badge of the Shrine of St. Thomas Becket at Canterbury | Work of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2016. <http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/2001.310/>.

How to look like Jennifer Aniston

This is an advertisement for Aveeno absolutely ageless restorative night cream1. It is found in the October 24, 2016 issue of People magazine. It features the beautiful Jennifer Aniston, a description and benefits of the product, and a picture of the product. The product being sold is a restorative night cream, which includes blackberry complex for a healthier, firmer, more elastic, younger-looking face. It even claims all of these effects will be apparent in just one week of use. The headline of the advertisement says, “Want to look younger, longer? Take the right steps now.”1

The author of the source uses soft, luminous colors. The theme of the add is very feminine and clean. The background of the image displays a moon and stars, to make the audience think that Jennifer has the night cream on in the picture. She is also smiling and looks carefree. All of this is intended to play at the jealousy of the reader.

The purpose of this ad is to sell the night cream. Jennifer Aniston is endorsing the product. The goal is for the audience to be envious of Jennifer Aniston’s clear and young-looking skin and buy the product to see the same results.

This advertisement is displaying envy as a rhetorical device. The main headline asks the audience if they want younger looking skin. Also, the use of Jennifer Aniston as the center of the advertisement causes the reader to be envious of her beauty and specifically her skin. The audience naturally compares themselves to Jennifer Aniston and wants what she has. They most likely chose Jennifer Aniston to be the spokesperson for this ad because she is known for aging well.

The intended audience is most likely American women over the age of 35. Aveeno products are sold in the United States and Jennifer Aniston is a well known actress in the United States. The audience is most likely middle to upper middle class. Aveeno is a drug store beauty product, therefore those who are members of classes above the upper middle class most likely do not buy their beauty products from a drug store, rather high end, more expensive companies. Conversely, this advertisement is not intended for women in socioeconomic classes below the middle class because they may not have the financial resources for this product.

The placement of the ad in the People magazine is also deliberate to reach this specific target audience. Over 70% of readers of People magazine are women. Also, the median income for readers of People magazine is $72,000, with 1 in 4 readers exceeding $100,000 a year. The average age of women who read this magazine is 382. These demographics fit the intended audience, middle to upper middle class American women over the age of 35.

The intended audience has cultural knowledge of beauty standards in the United States. For older women, the goal is to look younger. Fresh, radiant skin is something that women desire and are willing to buy beauty products in order to attain it. This advertisement uses this cultural knowledge to persuade the reader to buy this product by encouraging them to be envious of everything the ad is displaying.

Image and 1) Aveeno. People 24 Oct. 2016: 88. Print.

2) Gaille, Brandon. "35 Eye Opening People Magazine Demographics - BrandonGaille.com." BrandonGaillecom. N.p., 15 Feb. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016. <http://brandongaille.com/35-eye-opening-people-magazine-demographics/>.

Should I Start Going By My Rapper Name, JT Swizzle?

The name I was given at birth was Jessica. Some call me Jessica while others call me Jess, or Jessicat, or JT, or Mom. The name someone uses to address me is indicative of how we encounter each other normally or our level of comfort with each other. For instance, my closer friends and family call me Jess while everyone else usually calls me Jessica. While Jess, Jessicat, and JT are all variations of my actual name, Mom is the name I have been given by my friends because of my personality. This nickname is probably the one I find the most meaning in. This name reflects certain parts of my character and personality. I am responsible, reliable, mature, and caring like a mother. I have even been dubbed “Maniac Mom” of the Millbrook Maniacs. This name defines me in a way that I am proud of because it shows that I am very involved in my school and I care about the people who are a part of it. 

My sister, one of the people who call me Jess, is an amazing basketball player. She is four years older than me and graduated from Millbrook like I will in June. Naturally, people compare me to her. I suddenly stop becoming Jessica and become “Alex’s sister”. I love my sister very much and I’m proud of how talented she is, but I do not like being compared to her. We are simply just different people. First, I don’t play basketball. Some people think this is a crime against humanity because of my height. However, I am not my sister. I have made a different impact on my high school. While my sister invested her time into basketball, I have invested my time into academics, student government, and clubs. Her and I have different interests. Being compared to my sister is frustrating because I feel that I’m letting people down when they realize I’m not a basketball star like her. That disappointment also discredits what I am interested in, as if it’s not as important as basketball. I think part of the reason I was never interested in basketball at a young age was because of the pressure I would have on me to be as good as her. It’s hard to be confident in myself and my accomplishments while I am being unfairly compared to my sister. 

Link Source:

Huebner, Andrea. "27 Things You've Said If You're The Mom Friend." Web log post. The Odyssey Online. Olympia Media Group, 26 Sept. 2016. Web. 2 Oct. 2016. <https://www.theodysseyonline.com/27-things-mom-friend>.

Blog #1: Othering

Wing Young Huie captured this picture in 1995 in an unknown location. It is a part of his Black Memorabilia collection. The picture is in black and white, no color. It features three shelves in what looks to be a grocery store. Syrup, pancake mix, karo syrup, and molasses are on the shelves. The picture is focused on the middle rack are the center of the photo. The labels indicate they are the Aunt Jemima brand, specifically the Lite syrup. Some of the bottles are larger than others, and the largest bottles are in the center of the photo.

There is significant cultural significance to this photograph in the United States. This photograph features Aunt Jemima syrup. Aunt Jemima is an example of a mammy caricature. During the slavery era in the United States, the mammy caricature was presented to mainstream America to defend the lie that African Americans enjoyed slavery: “black women -- were contented, even happy, as slaves. Her wide grin, hearty laugher, and loyal servitude were offered as evidence of the supposed humanity of the institution of slavery”2. It is significant that this image is so widely displayed even today in the U.S. This caricature was presented to display a lie that slaves were content with their status.

The mammy caricature had negative effects on stereotypes on black women. It implied that they were exclusively domestic workers. This then affected their ability to obtain better jobs than house servant: “1877 to 1966, America's race-based, race-segregated job economy limited most blacks to menial, low paying, low status jobs”3. By looking into the stereotypes featured in this photograph, othering becomes evident.

Wing Young Huie has captured an example of othering that has historically been a major problem in the United States. Historically, some whites have viewed blacks as fundamentally different. When slavery began in 16174, Americans tried to justify the mistreatment of this group of people because of their skin color difference. Othering is evident in the photograph by displaying a stereotype attributed to black women. This is similar to the stereotype attributed to women presented in The Handmaid’s Tale5 by Margaret Atwood. The Handmaids in this novel have the sole responsibility of bearing children. Both publications present stereotypes through the use of imagery. In Huie’s photograph, he visually presents a common brand that is associated with a caricature used to describe black women. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred uses imagery to describe her duties as a handmaid and the danger she’s in when she deviates from that role.

Footnotes:

1. Huie, Wing Young. Black Memorabilia. 1995. Black Memorabilia. Wing Young Huie. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. <http://www.wingyounghuie.com/>.
2. " The Mammy Caricature." Jim Crow Museum: The Mammy Caricature. Ferris State University, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. <http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/mammies/>.
3. " The Mammy Caricature." Jim Crow Museum: The Mammy Caricature. Ferris State University, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. <http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/mammies/>.
4. History.com Staff. "Slavery in America." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. <http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/slavery>.
5. Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1986. Print.