Femininity And The World Of Semiotics Cultural Studies Essay

Femininity And The World Of Semiotics Cultural Studies Essay Semiotics is the doctrine of signs. Signs take the form of anything that society invests meaning into. Such signs as words, images, sounds, odours, flavours, acts or objects only become signs when they are interpreted as having meaning (Chandler, 2009). Roland Barthes was a French theorist who had a major contribution to structuralist semiotics. His contribution was to extend the idea of the sign into myth. He later moved towards a post-structuralist view. Barthes began to read culture from a mythic perspective, where myths were seen as connotations. (Bignell, 2002, p58)Ursula, in the film the Little Mermaid, is portrayed as a villain due to her resistance against the discourse of femininity. The discourse of femininity is the social constructions that dictate how women are expected to behave and look. Ursula desires power, which is not considered a conventional feminine trait. This positions the audience to see her as a villain. The film creators have specifically chosen everything about Ursula. The filmmakers are aware of the connotations associated with femininity. They have used this knowledge to create Ursula as a villain. Her image, gender performance and her interaction with animals are all individual signs of her rebellion against femininity. Barthes originally adopted Louis Hjelmslevs notion of orders of signification. (Chandler, 2009) After Barthe had extended the sign he began to read culture through a mythical perspective where he linked myths with connotations and ideologies. The semiotic interpretation of a myth differs to the preexisting definition of a myth being false. Myths help to make sense of experiences within a culture. A myth to Barthes supports ideologies and relates to social realities (Bignell, 2002, p58). A myths function is to make dominant cultural and historical values, attitudes and beliefs seem entirely natural and true reflections of the way things are (Chandler, 2009). Barthes linked myths and ideologies very closely as he also defined ideologies as reinforcing the existing system as appearing natural and acceptable to society (Bignell, 2002, p58). Barthes believed visual signs in media are used to trigger a range of connotations attached to the sign and that connotations came from our social ex periences. (Allen, 2003, p42) Barthes believed when signs and connotations were brought together they shaped a particular message. (Bignell, 2002, p58). Ursulas image is associated with unfeminine connotations. Every detail of Ursulas image, from her clothing to her weight represents a desire for power and resistance against femininity. This positions the audience to view Ursula as a villain due to the myth society holds regarding femininity. These myths are automatically accepted by society, as we believe the connotations associated with these signs are true reflections of reality. Parents and authoritative figures encourage young girls from an early age to speak and act in ways which displays their femininity. Behaviour like wearing frilly dresses is a symbol for appearing weaker and less aggressive than boys (Larner, 2009). Ursula wears a black revealing dress, which refers to her strength, aggression, and power that goes against femininity. Ursula has sharp angular features that she highlights with heavy eye make up, which is a symbol of an unnatural woman. (Stoll, 2005) Ursula is an overweight character who shakes her hips and m oves in an exaggerated and sluggish manner. She is languid, lacy and floppish. (Stoll, 2005) Overweight characters in Disney films have negative connotations associated with them. They are considered ugly, unpleasant, lazy and un- married (Towbin, Haddock, Zimmerman, Lund, Tanner, 2004). These connotations come from the myth that attractive women need protection because they are helpless and are therefore more likely to marry. (Towbin, et al., 2004). Ursulas hair is a disruption to the image of femininity. She has short, bleached and butch hair. (Mallan, 2000) Feminine characters are usually represented as having long, flowing hair that is often seen as sensual. Therefore Ursulas short hair is associated with resisting the discourse of femininity. Throughout the film, Ursulas image is associated with suspense and tension. (Stoll, 2005) Each time the viewer sees Ursula they are reminded she is the villain who brings evil upon others. As Barthe suggests the visual signs within The Lit tle Mermaid trigger connotations associated with femininity. These signs and connotations create a message that Ursula is a villain due to her desire for power, which is represented through her image. Ursula is conveyed as a villain through here gender performance. Gender performance, according to Judith Baxter, is the term that argues that gender norms are constructed by society. She suggests that as much as femininity is about image, femininity is an act and does not automatically come with female genitalia (Frus, P. Williams, C. 2010, p201). Performance is about the repetition of gestures, words, acts and desires. Ursula tries to teach Ariel how to preform woman by bumping her hips through sexual gestures while speaking the words dont underestimate body language. Her gestures and words refer to the connotations of sexually perversity and promiscuity, which is controversial to the image of femininity. Ursulas performance shows the disconnection between the female body of the performer and her masculine persona. Ursula is parallel to John Waters transvestite diva character, Divine. Divine was a drag queen that had a monstrous figure and attempted to resemble a female. (Hallam, 20 09) This false female who conveyed masculine acts and gestures did not fool the audiences. This is parallel to Ursulas character whose overly phallic body represents sexual perversity. The fact Ursula is sexually aware displays her masculine traits, as feminine characters in Disney films are often seen as innocent and unaware of sexuality. The innocent female ideology is reinforced through The Little Mermaid. This demonstrates Ursula is unacceptable to society because she resists this ideology. Desires are a contributing factor to gender performance. Ursula desires patriarchal authority rather than a marriage, which is an unconventional feminine trait that destabilizes gender. In accordance with Barthes theory of semiotics, and the connotations and signs associated with Ursulas performance it is evident that Ursula is an unfeminine character, who for this very reason, is portrayed as a villain. The way animals react and engage with Ursula conveys her villainous behavior and her rebellion against femininity. Wicked women in Disney films are often considered antisocial and are associated with ugly animal helpers who take pleasure in disastrous events. (Bell, Haas, Sells, 1995) Flotsam and Jetsam are Ursulas assistants. These characters demonstrate Ursulas desire for power. Her assistants appear to dedicate their life to her and display no evidence of a life of their own. Ursula fails to show gratitude towards her assistants. These two characters do wicked odd jobs Ursula doesnt want to do. They are inferior characters, yet essential to the portrayal of Ursula. (Stoll, )Ursula steals Ariels voice with the help of her accomplices. Ursula attempts to lure the prince into marrying however she fails, as the surrounding animals are not fooled by her false femininity. Her attempt to usurp male power fails and she is punished and humiliated. The animals degrade Ursula in a performanc e at the altar. Birds fly between her outspread legs, starfish smack her face and the princes dog bites her behind (Zuk, 1998). The animals hatred towards Ursula is highlighted by their love for Ariel. All women are expected to be caring from birth and desire a family. Ursula displays no caring attributes towards others and is a self indulged woman. Women are subconsciously warned of the negative consequences of stepping outside feminine sex roles as the stereotypical female is expected to be biologically maternal. This myth refers to the expectation that feminine women are expected to care and nurture animals and have an automatic bond with them. The way Ursula treats her assistants, Flotsam and Jetsam is an accurate portrayal of Ursula. The way the animals react around Ursula also highlights her wickedness, as they feel hatred towards her and are also cautious of her power. As Barthe suggests, the signs and connotations associated with Ursulas interaction with other characters por trays her as a villain. Ursula resists the discourse of femininity through her image, gender performance and her interaction with animals. Ursulas image resists femininity through her Clothing, weight, hair and make up. The connotations associated with each of these reinforce that Ursula is negatively different from the other female characters and is therefore a villain. Gender performance includes gestures, desires and words. Ursula fails at feminine performance due to her sexual awareness, which is demonstrated through her gestures and words. Her desire is to have patriarchal power over the human and underwater world is considered a male and villainous trait. The way animals react to Ursula shows her true villainous nature and unfeminine qualities. Her accomplices Flotsam and Jetsam are essential to the portrayal of Ursula as they add to her wickedness. As Barthe suggests the signs and connotations within Ursulas image, gender performance and her interaction with animals have shaped the message that Ursul a is a villain due to her resistance against femininity.

A World Without Water Essay

Water is one of the essentialities of life on earth, without water life will not exist. Water is everywhere, we can find it from the foods we eat and beverages we drink. It has also many uses in our daily lives like cleaning ourselves, washing the clothes, watering the plants and others. Water can also refresh us during hot days of summer, like swimming. When we go to supermarkets we see different products which contain water. All living organisms need water, without it, they will die. Humans, being a living organism need water to survive; we do need water but it must be clean and sufficient in supply. But what if there is access to water but the water is too contaminated? Or there is really no sufficient supply? Or the place where there is water is too far from home? That will be a big problem for those who will or currently experiencing this kind of situations. Water is a need and not just wants; clean water is needed in every community not only to survive but also to function well . Each one of us whether rich or poor has the right for available clean water. The film â€Å"A World Without Water† is an eye-opener. It shows how rich survives and poor tends to die because of dirty water, lack of supply and accessibility. Too sad to see people of a certain community being deprived by their own land’s water supply, they become envious while looking at a clean fountain of water in a certain company as shown in the video. The worst, big companies that are abusing their powers seem to have no considerations to the people of the community being affected by their operations; their only concern is to gain money. Those people that have money to buy their products do not know how others suffer just for them to drink a bottle of coke, and watching this film might change their mind. This kind of privatization is just too greedy, they own what they must not own, safe water is becoming scarce and those companies just had a selfish idea that is worst than water pollution. Safe water is a right. Moreover, I can be an advocate in the future that will regulate or at least control privatization and support the right of each one of us to clean and safe water. But for now, as a student, what I can do is to conserve water, appreciate its importance to us, and minimize consumption of bottled drinks like canned softdrinks; I can also encourage my friends to do the same thing and spread it through social networking sites. I could say that I am more than lucky that I have easy access to clean and safe water from birth and up to now. How I wish that Bolivians and other people suffering from deprivation of their own right of safe water will also have easy access to clean, safe and sufficient water.

Essay on The Deeper Meaning of Frost’s Tuft of Flowers

The Deeper Meaning of Frost’s Tuft of Flowers Robert Lee Frost published his first book of poems entitled A Boys Will in 1913. From this collection come one of several poems that critics and anthologists alike highly regard as both lyrical and autobiographical in nature. One such critic, James L. Potter, in his book entitled [The] Robert Frost Handbook, explains [that] Frost wore a mask in public much of the time, concealing his personal problems and complexities from his reading and listening audiences (Potter 48). Through The Tuft of Flowers, a kind of lyrical soliloquy, Frost half-intentionally reveals his personal views on the theme of fellowship (Potter 48). In the first of three transitions the speaker, most†¦show more content†¦The speaker notes that the butterfly flies as far as eye could see / (but) on tremulous wing came back to me (17-18). Here, the butterfly seems to parallel the thoughts the speaker has about the field and the delight it brought both of them the day before. The reader can infer from this comparison that Frost, like the butterfly, has enjoyed great beauty, joy, and love at certain times during his life but because the grass chokes the beauty in the field, the good times are beset with feelings of loneliness and grief. The butterfly eventually turns and leads the speaker to a tall tuft of flowers beside a brook (22). The significance of the flowers and the brook can not be overlooked, because at this place in the poem the mood suddenly swings from pessimism to optimism. It seems that God was trying to send a message to Frost that the field of life can be filled with beauty and he might not always be alone in his lifes work (22). This couplet of the poem is significant because it gives us a clue to how God reveals to the speaker that, although the field of life appears barren, a brook nourishes the ground to give life to the beauty he possesses. In addition, through Gods infinite wisdom and mercy, Frosts loneliness and grief will someday again turn back into fellowship and joy.Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poem The Tuft Of Flowers By Robert Frost1340 Words   |  6 PagesFlowers have enough variety in color and characteristics to express almost any emotion. Robert Frost used these varieties to his advantage in some of his poems. â€Å"Rose Pogonias† is a poem Frost wrote to encourage the preservation of sanctuaries. At the same time, the poem discourages the belief that taking pieces of a sanctuary, that will not be missed, is okay, whether it be literal or metaphorical. In Frost’s â€Å"The Tuft of Flowers†, the narrator is lonely because a mower had cut all the flowers fromRead MoreAnalysis Of Robert Frost s Birches 3014 Words   |  13 Pageswill, and purpose; contextually, using Frost’s own life and personal psychology. Frost’s attitude in his poetry is honest, accepting, and stoical, nature is just used as a background. Frost usually begins his poems by delineate an observation of something in nature, then moves on toward a connection with some human concern or situation. He uses the natural world as symbolism in his poetry then suggests bigger, deeper, more complex ideas. In Robert Frost’s poetry he is not purely writi ng aboutRead MoreFrosts simple style is deceptive Essay1354 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃ¢â‚¬â„¢Frost’s simple style is deceptive and a thoughtful reader will see layers of meaning in his poetry.’’ Robert Frost (1874-1963) was a pastoral Rural American poet who portrays a benevolent side to New England in the US. Robert Frost was not fond of the fashion of the time. Instead, he adopted the persona of the New England farmer inspired by natural events. This deceptive but realistic poet had quite an individualistic style in comparison to any other poet, his poetry is written in the everydayRead MoreBitterness: Poetry and World1016 Words   |  5 Pagesconnotative meaning, imagery, symbolism, and tone. First, the three famous poems all possess a connotative meaning . Within the poem Gubbinal, Stevens wrote, The world is ugly. In the quotation, the word ugly isnt merely used to describe what the world looks like. It has a deeper meaning. Ugly represents the evil and corruption of the world. In Fire and Ice, Frosts first two lines are Some say the world will end in fire,/ some say in ice. This excerpt also has a greater meaning. In theRead MoreEssay about Isolation and Nature in the Works of Robert Frost3175 Words   |  13 PagesIsolation and Nature in the Works of Robert Frost During the height of Robert Frost’s popularity, he was a well-loved poet who’s natural- and simple-seeming verse drew people - academics, artists, ordinary people both male and female - together into lecture halls and at poetry readings across the country.1 An eloquent, witty, and, above all else, honest public speaker, Frost’s readings imbued his poetry with a charismatic resonance beyond that of the words on paper, and it is of little

The Prince Essay example - 557 Words

The Prince The Prince had no actual characters, but instead discussed and analyzed the political policies of political leaders, highlighting their faults and strengths. The setting was 1513 Europe. This is the same time when major areas were having power struggles and religious conflict was rampant. His tone is that of the ambitious leader. It conveys the thoughts of one who knows how to gain and maintain power. Though this is true, the thoughts are built upon principalities probably learned by way of many mistakes made by one who will never again be in the position to imply his theorems and strategies. Machiavellis own ruthless mind probably served as the bases for him knowing the ways of the corrupt. The thesis seems to†¦show more content†¦This dissertation stressed the maintaining of power because it was written from Machiavelli to His Magnificence Lorenzo de Medici, a figure whom was already holding power. It is better to be feared than loved, is a popular extraction from Machiavellis dissertation. He stated, Men are less hesitant about offending or harming a ruler who makes himself loved than one who inspires fear. For love is sustained by a bond of gratitude which, because men are excessively self-interested, is broken whenever they see a chance to benefit themselves. But fear is sustained by a dread of punishment that is always effective. Machiavelli went on to discuss the strategies of ruling by fear. For it is perfectly possible to be feared without incurring hatred, shows that Machiavelli really thought over his writings. For it is highly possible that one who hates may to try to destroy that which he hates even if it means self destruction in the process. Even with seemingly ruthless tactics, Machiavelli recognized the importance of keeping the people you rule happy. This was strongly displayed in a chapter concentrating on How rulers should keep their promises. 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