Analysis Of The Article Body Ritual Among The Veldt By...

The term Anthropology refers to the study of mankind as a whole. In the article â€Å"Body Ritual among the Nacirema† by Horace Miner, the introduction of a new cultural perspective crosses the boundaries of today’s societal norms. Horace Miner is mainly known for his studies in mankind, and as an anthropologist he must take into consideration, without preconceived opinions the variety of unique cultures within the human race. The Nacirema is a group living in North America whose culture, through the perspective of Horace Miner showcases human behavior taken to its highest degree. There is a common belief among the people of Nacirema in which it is the human body is prone to weakness and disease; therefore, in becoming the focal point of the†¦show more content†¦Miner emphasizes an obsession of self image in the Nacirema that is very much present in Americans today. There is an infatuation with the maintenance of appearance and health resulting in the human bod y becoming the dominant focus for the Nacirema’s cultural practices. Americans spend so much time buying items with an aim of improving their â€Å"look†. Medications exist for so many illnesses and doctor visits are frequent. All of these tasks are done to improve their image and way of life. Part of the Nacirema culture is a shrine that contains a box or chest full of charms and magical potions. The medicine men are specialized practitioners that initiate these preparations. However, the medicine men only decide what ingredients should be in certain potions and write them down in a secret language. This secret language can only be understood by other medicine men and herbalists who provide the charm. In America, doctors write notes called prescriptions that contain ingredients to medication to treat a specific illness. These prescriptions are illegible to their patients and can only be understood by pharmacists who prepare the medications. There is also an obsession with the mouth and teeth among the people of Nacirema. It is believed that the mouth has a â€Å"supernatural influence on all social relationships† (Miner 504). There is a ritual of washing the mouth for children which could improve their morality.Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Article Body Ritual Among The Veldt By Horace Miner Essay1084 Words   |  5 PagesHorace Miner’s article â€Å"Body Ritual among the Nacirema† is an amazing article that makes people that do not believe their unique grasp the concept that everyone is indeed unique. Miner wrote this article about Americans as Americans generally believe that other countries have rituals while we are just plain with no uniqueness. Miner uses a language that is not typical among american literature. He has a strategy of using words such as: Supplicant, Witch doctor, household shrine, etc in order to makeRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article Body Rituals Among The Veldt By Horace Miner964 Words   |   4 Pagesâ€Å"Body Rituals Among the Nacirema,† is a satirical article written by Horace Miner in 1956. The article is about a North American tribe named Nacirema and goes into detail about the tribe’s body rituals. Nacirema (word play for American) customs are set in an unfamiliar environment and presented as exotic. The demonstration of how one may perceive other cultures was by describing American culture differently. The unfamiliarity allows an outsider perspective; it increases the ability to see the strange

Aristotles concept of catharsis - 5883 Words

Mimesis, Catharsis, and Pleasure: An Investigation into Aristotle’s Tragic Pleasure Bradley Elicker Temple University Abstract: Aristotle writes the Poetics as an investigation into representational art and, more specifically, as an investigation into the art form of tragedy. While Aristotle goes into great detail regarding the technical aspects of creating and appreciating a work of tragedy, he is somewhat lacking in his descriptions of how tragedy is enjoyed by an audience. Aristotle speaks of this tragic pleasure in two ways; as the pleasure of mimesis, and as the pleasure of catharsis. If we come to understand the Aristotelian concept of pleasure as an activity as opposed to a process, and the distinction between essential†¦show more content†¦It would seem, however, that they are wrong, and pleasure is not even a process.†2 In Metaphysics Aristotle explains the distinction between an activity and a process. He writes that each process â€Å"is for the sake of an end†3 while an activity will be an end in 2 3 Nicomachean Ethics 1173a 29-33 Metaphysics 1048b 19 2 and of itself. He uses the examples of losing weight as opposed to seeing to show this difference. Aristotle writes that when one is in the process of losing weight, there is a specific end to which the process strives towards, this end is having lost weight. In the action of losing weight, the end is not present. The end of having lost weight will only occur after the process of losing weight has been completed. The same is not true of seeing. When we see something, the end is having seen it. This end is present in the action of seeing. When we say that we see something, we can also say that we have seen it. The end is in the action itself, and the action is its own end. In this way seeing is an activity and not a process. Aristotle writes that a process will have some type of duration between the time that it is begun and the time that it is completed. When someone attempts to lose weight, there is a certain duration of time between beginning the process of losing weight and the end of the process, having lost weight. By contrast, an activity is complete at all times. NicomacheanShow MoreRelatedOedipus Rex As Tragedy : The Philosopher Must Be Crazy845 Words   |  4 PagesOedipus Rex as Tragedy: The Philosopher Must Be Crazy Throughout the ages many scholars have agreed with Aristotle s assessment of Oedipus Rex (the Athenian tragedy written by Sophocles) as the truest form of tragedy; however, modern viewers might remark that it is unworthy of such praise and instead should be exemplified as the proof that an addition to Aristotle s ideal of tragedy itself is required: the element of timelessness. Throughout history, many have believed that man s ability to produceRead MoreOedipus Rex As Modern Tragedy : Catharsis Or Cognitive Emotion883 Words   |  4 PagesOedipus Rex as Modern Tragedy: Catharsis or Cognitive Emotion Oedipus Rex, an Athenian tragedy written by Sophocles, tells the tale of a noble king brought low by a serious of harrowing events set in motion by the Gods and unwittingly furthered by the actions of the king. Aristotle believed that Oedipus Rex was the prime example of the tragedy; however, modern readers might entertain that the play is unworthy of such praise. In this paper I will put forth the argument that Oedipus Rex, though heartfeltRead MoreAnalysis of Oedipus As an Aristotelian Tragic Hero in Sophocles Oedipus Rex1799 Words   |  7 Pagesto his inability to distinguish between right and wrong. A catharsis process eventually influences audiences in expressing little to no pity regarding the protagonist as a result of acknowledging the fact that he simply paid for his errors. From Aristotles point of view, tragedy is meant to induce strong feelings in audiences but it is not meant to depress them. Although it puts across intense emotions, it uses the process of catharsis with the purpose of removing these respective emotions throughRead MoreQuest For Literary Form : The Greeks Believed That The Tragedy1742 Words   |  7 Pagesthe tragedy was the greatest form of drama, and Aristotle’s concept of tragedy followed this belief. In the modern times, there has been a change in this view with various authors abandoning the classical form to follow more liberal forms of literacy. (Kennedy Gioia, Pp. 1203) Aristotle s Concept of Tragedy The analysis of Aristotle on tragedy formed the guideline for later poets in the Western civilization. Aristotle defined tragedy as â€Å"the simulation of actions that are sternRead MoreMimesis: Plato and Aristotle1536 Words   |  7 PagesMimesis: Plato and Aristotle 1,515 Words Philosophy 2348: Aesthetics\ The term ‘mimesis’ is loosely defined as ‘imitation’, and although an extensive paper could be written about the cogency of such a narrow definition, I will instead focus on Plato and Aristotle’s contrasting judgements of mimesis (imitation). I will spend one section discussing Plato’s ideas on mimesis and how they relate to his philosophy of reality and the forms. I will then spend a section examining Aristotle’s differingRead More Plato and Aristotle Essay1271 Words   |  6 PagesPlato and Aristotle Plato and Aristotle have two distinct views on wellness. However, each man’s opinion on wellness is directly tied in to his respective opinions on the idea of imitation as a form of knowledge. Their appreciation or lack thereof for tragedy is in fact directly correlated to their own perspective on wellness and emotion. Firstly, it is important to consider each man’s view of wellness—that is how does each man go about addressing emotional stability. One important considerationRead MoreTragic Hero1598 Words   |  7 PagesTragic Hero From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A tragic hero is a protagonist with a tragic flaw, also known as fatal flaw, which eventually leads to his demise. The concept of the tragic hero was created in ancient Greek tragedy and defined by Aristotle. Usually, the realization of fatal flaw results in catharsis or epiphany. The tragic flaw is sometimes referred to as an Achilles heel after the single fatal flaw of the Greek warrior Achilles. [citation needed] Aristotelian tragicRead MoreAnalysis of Greek Tragedy Using the Aristotilean Model Essay1106 Words   |  5 Pagesone can not delve into these precious works of beautiful literary verse without first having background knowledge of the context they were written, and of the structure they follow. There are several terms, as well as an analysis of tragedies by Aristotle, a philosopher who experienced them firsthand. By knowing the structural basis of tragic works before reading them, one is able to better understand them and appreciate them more fully for the prized trophies of classic literature they are. Read MoreThe Tragedy Of King Lear By William Shakespeare1671 Words   |  7 Pagesoblivion is arguably a more practical depiction of real life, filled with cold truths and merciless mistakes. Few figures in history have captured this essence of reality to such a high degree as Aristotle, a revolutionary thinker whose ideas shaped Greek tragedy. Within his theory of tragedy is the concept of the tragic hero, whose great, ironic flaw leads to his own downfall. The tragic hero is of an elevated position in society but should, all the same, be a character with whom the audience canRead MoreHenrik Ibsen s A Doll s House899 Words   |  4 Pagescharacter tragic and how does one go about defining a tragic hero? Aristotle offers a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the elements that a tragedy consists of in The Poetics. Known as one of the earliest surviving documents discussing dramatic theory, Aristotle presents ideas and arguments that are widely accepted by dramaturgs and are still useful in analyzing more contemporary dramatic works. As found in his Poetics, Aristotle s explanations of tragedy and the tragic hero support an argument

A Fight With Fear free essay sample

Warning: people with claustrophobia should not enter this tunnel hung overhead ominously in large red letters, a threat I did not feel compelled to face. The wooden stairs creaked under me as I halted in my path, questioning my ability to endure the suffering that entering would entail. My counselor regarded my hesitancy impatiently and gave me three seconds to decide whether or not I would choose to enter Jerusalem’s ancient water tunnels with the group, which had already proceeded to snake down the stairs into the abyss. I’d stayed towards the back of the line in hopes of having room behind me but as I looked back, hundreds of other kids crowded in. My snap judgment told me not to go as my heart thumped in agreement. Entering the tunnel, I concluded, would imminently cause a break down of sorts. I could not go. Yet, as I stood there with my mind nearly made up, my group-mates squeals of excitement and laughter wafted up from the depths, taunting my desire to no longer be held back by my ever-persistent phobia. We will write a custom essay sample on A Fight With Fear or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Unwilling to be road-blocked once again, I stepped inside. Plunged into darkness, I promptly began to regret my bold decision. Icy water rushed over my feet as my throat tightened, constricting my breathing. There were countless people behind and in front of me and I could not escape. The tunnel walls surrounding me dripped with slimy condensation and grew gradually closer together as the path advanced, forcing me in some areas to walk sideways or crouch. At times, the procession would stop for up to five minutes, leaving me helplessly hyperventilating and nauseous while there was no movement up ahead. Closing my eyes during these moments, I attempted to drive myself forward by inhaling large breaths of the dank air and holding it in as I fought to forget about the claustrophobia through focusing on other things. The NSYNC songs being joyfully belted by the other kids in the tunnel echoed through my head and refueled my anger for not being able to join in on the fun. After twenty nearly unendurable minutes of struggling between determinatio n and fear, five words from my counselor rekindled my motivation- I’m proud of you Vanessa. Recognizing that I had thus far made it twenty minutes longer than I originally thought possible, I became proud of myself too. Along with this growing pride came newfound fervor and perseverance to finish my arduous task at hand. Once ten more minutes of agony had passed, I quite literally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Shoving my way through, I clamored up the stairs to the glaring sun that awaited me. Although it was close to 100 degrees, goose bumps climbed up my back as I stood in the open air, still hyperventilating and shaking. When I was able to pace my breathing better, I sighed; with it came the most intense feeling of relief and fulfillment Id ever experienced. Although my phobia pressed against me in hopes of discouraging myself, I knew the fight had been determined the second I stepped foot into the tunnel. I’d won.

Our Life Is Effected By Music Essays - Reggae, Music, Post, Sound

Our Life Is Effected By Music Research Proposal: Our everyday lives are effected by music. People listen to it in the car, while grocery shopping, in the movies, at home, and practically anywhere else possible. There are many different types and styles of music such as: rock and roll, classical, rap, hardcore, Christian, jazz, reggae, country, and the list goes on. Each person has his or her own likes and dislikes of music that they enjoy. Listening to the lyrics, though, it is interesting to hear what musicians are actually saying. Some artists use lyrics in their songs to express explicit messages or to make people think. Other artists want to inspire people, while others are just relaxing. The type of music people listen to are personal opinions, but the lyrics can have surprising effects. It is not just the lyrics that affect people, but the way bands or musicians perform, the videos they make, and the way they act in public. If a band sings about death and acts it out on stage, fans may begin to act like that too. The way the band acts and what they say can influence people more than they think. Music is a very powerful force. Its effects can be disgusting or delightful. Thesis: Because society embraces musicians and their messages as role models, we allow them to influence our society in any way they please. Bibliography none