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Witch-slapped: Macbeth's fall from grace

Question 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)?

http://timeimage.wikispaces.com/file/view/Still_-_Macbeth_(46).jpg/229915608/443x302/Still_-_Macbeth_(46).jpg

In my opinion, I believe people who are not "evil" take the first step into evil because they are either pressured into it or curious about what the other side entails. The first step into evil could be anything from stealing to lying to cheating to murder. In Macbeth, we can see that Macbeth's first act of "evil" is his decision to murder King Duncan. It is no doubt that Macbeth was pressured by Lady Macbeth to kill Duncan, but could there be another reason behind his decision? In the beginning of the play, Macbeth meets the Weird Sisters (three witches) and they tell him his prophecy of becoming king. The second witch says, "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!", then the third witch says, "All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!" (Macbeth, 1.3). Macbeth continues to think about this prophecy and becomes determined to make his prophecy come true. This leads him to do pretty much anything that will give him more power, including murdering anyone who stands in his way of the throne. 

The consequences of any individual choosing evil include getting sucked in to evil ways, getting caught and punished for his/her actions, and if he/she is actually a good person, feeling guilt or remorse all the time. So far in the play Macbeth, we have seen Macbeth feel guilt, yet continue to act evilly. Right after killing Duncan, Macbeth is talking to his wife and says, "I'll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on 't again I dare not" (Macbeth, 2.2). He knows what he just did was wrong, but tries to ignore it because he doesn't want to face it or deal with any repercussions it might have. 

I think Macbeth is a good example of why choosing evil can be so bad. At the time, it may seem like nothing too horrible could come out of murdering one of your good friends to become king, but in reality, it can lead to a lot of other problems. This one evil action of Macbeth's created sort of a snowball effect, and Macbeth couldn't help but continue to do evil things. Although Macbeth got what he wanted (to become king), I think the consequences weren't worth all the trouble he went through. 

Searchin' in Santiago Sierra

Santiago Sierra

(b. 1966, Spain)

89 Huicholes

2006

84 black and white photographs

Panorama of the art

My sketch of the art

I chose to do my art analysis on Santiago Sierra's compilation of 84 black and white photographs called 89 Huicholes. This piece features photographs taken of people from the Huichol tribe in Mexico. 89 Huicholes almost takes up a whole wall at CAM Raleigh with four rows of 17 pictures each and one row of 16 pictures. The photographs were all taken in Mexico in 2006, but the artist lives in Spain.

In these photographs, it is important to notice that the people's faces are not showing and the only visible portion of the people are the backs of their heads. While I was at CAM Raleigh, the museum's tour guide told my group that the Huichol tribe believes if a picture of their faces is taken, it will take away a part of their souls. I believe that the artist's decision to photograph this particular group of people, who only believed in showing their backs to the camera, was intentional. By hiding a person's face or just a part of their face, it seems to intrigue viewers with a sense of mystery and curiosity.

89 Huicholes is a part of the exhibit called Limited Visibility and I think this piece fits with that theme because the viewer is unable to see the full person in the photograph. For me, these photographs are trying to convey that there is so much more to a person that just what you can see. Because you are unable to see the people's faces, you are almost forced to create faces for them using your imagination. When I look at this piece, my mind tends to wander and think about the story behind the person in each of the photos. 

The artist organized these photographs kind of randomly with no evident pattern. If the artist, Sierra, had sorted out the photographs, it would have taken away from the sense of freedom that is evoked from this piece. I think Sierra's decision to use photography was smart because I believe photography is as real as you can get to seeing the thing in person. If he had painted the people, the effect would have been different by making the barrier between the what the artist has experienced and what the viewer is seeing more noticeable. Another element to discuss about this artwork is that the photographs are in black and white. Sometimes, I think that black and white pictures have a greater impact than pictures in color because the colors can distract the viewers and take away from the details of the picture.

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The Deadly Sins: Avarice

http://www.theperfumegirl.com/perfumes/fragrances/calvin-klein/calvin-klein-ck-free/

In this advertisement for Calvin Klein cologne, we see a man dressed in a white oxford, wearing sunglasses, and driving a convertible. The colors are all pretty much the same: whites, blues, and grays mixed in with browns and yellows. In the top picture of the man, most of the background is bright and white, while his face stands out with the shadow on it. His sunglasses are also the only other dark object in the top picture. In the bottom picture, we see a convertible driving in- what appears to be- a bare desert. The colors in this picture use more browns and yellows, except for the white "Calvin Klein" text. Overlaying this image is a picture of the cologne bottle, which is also white to draw attention to it. 

Looking at this Calvin Klein advertisement, we can see that the sin, avarice is displayed. Avarice is the "insatiable greed for riches". Because the man is wearing a white oxford, the audience is likely to associate him with business and therefore, money and/or success. The man's styled haircut also signifies that he is well-kept, even though he is not clean-shaven. His sunglasses look to be of good quality and expensive. Another example of how avarice is portrayed in this advertisement is through the convertible at the bottom. In this picture, dust is created from the convertible and is a symbol of speed, which can go along with greed. 

I think the intended audience for this advertisement is middle-aged men. The first thing you notice when looking at the ad is the man and then the cologne bottle, which is, generally, a product for men. I think Calvin Klein is trying to target middle to high class men with this ad. Calvin Klein is a pretty big brand name and they are known for being on the more expensive and luxurious side. Since the color white is associated with purity and cleanliness, it is attractive and desirable, especially for the upper class. Another thing to note is the convertible, which the lower class would not be able to afford. Through the enticing, impressive-looking man, Calvin Klein is trying to persuade men to buy this cologne to look like the man advertised. This ad allows the audience to catch a glimpse into the luxurious life of driving fast cars in the middle of nowhere with a cool pair of shades on, which may influence them to buy the cologne, in hopes of living the same life.

Interesting Imagery

Question 3: Identify and interpret the architectural images Jane uses to denote Mr. Brocklehurst in this chapter. What is the impact of these images on the development of his character?

In Chapter 7 of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, the first description the reader gets of Mr. Brocklehurst is "gaunt". Curious as to what this word actually meant, I looked it up. Gaunt can be used to describe a person who is "lean and haggard, especially because of suffering, hunger, or age." While that definition seemed plausible, there was another one underneath it that I found interesting. This definition is only used to describe buildings or places, rather than people. It said gaunt means "grim or desolate in appearance." At the end of the chapter, I could see how the first definition would be a better fit, but thought it was ironic how the question was asking about the architectural images and there is a specific gaunt definition for buildings. 

The next description we, as readers, get about Mr. Brocklehurst is this: "...stood the same black column which had frowned on me so ominously from the hearthrug of Gateshead. I now glanced sideways at this piece of architecture. Yes, I was right: it was Mr. Brocklehurst, buttoned up in a surtout, and looking longer, narrower, and more rigid than ever." By comparing Mr. Brocklehurst to a black column, the author is trying to get the reader to envision  a man who is emotionless and very simple, not complex. This "black column" description also conveys a message of being sturdy and solid. We see these characteristics really contribute to Mr. Brocklehurst's personality because towards the middle of the chapter, he begins to lay down his rules with no room for adjustments made by others. I think Charlotte Bronte was attempting to create a feeling of uneasiness and dislike within her audience for this strange man by describing him as "rigid", or not flexible or changing. When I read the lines "looking longer, narrower, and more rigid than ever", I immediately thought about a very tall skyscraper builder. All of these examples of imagery greatly help in describing Mr. Brocklehurst as a conserved, all-business kinda guy. 

What's in a name?

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/65/ee/55/65ee555a7cec1b402a28433aa74acc1e.jpg

My Name's Meaning

The first thing people point out when they hear my full name is how Irish it is. To be honest, I kind of love that. Both sets of my great-grandparents were from Ireland and my family takes great pride in our heritage. My dad grew up in Savannah, Georgia, which is a city that has a large population of Irish descendants. Every year around St. Patrick's Day, my family tries to make it down to Savannah for the huge St. Patrick's Day parade, which is filled with crazy floats, green attire, red lipstick, drinks, and fun. We've been going for as long as I can remember.

Curious about what my name meant, I looked it up on many websites. I found that 'Reilly' is more common as a boy's name and is definitely Irish. The same website also mentioned something about a SoulUrge number, which is "a reflection of the inner you, your authentic self, deep beneath the surface of your outer personality". My SoulUrge number is 5 and says, "People with this name have a deep inner desire for travel and adventure, and want to set their own pace in life without being governed by tradition". I found this really fitting and true for myself and wonder if it's the same for others and their numbers. On another website, the name 'Reilly' means "courageous, valiant". I found this interesting and somewhat accurate. 

I don't think a name can define you because you would still be the same person without that specific name. However, I do think it's fascinating how a name's meaning can fit someone so well. 

Being "Two"

I think I experience being "two" when I spend time with my family and then when I'm with friends. I find it difficult at times to balance my time equally between both. Sometimes I am forced to compromise one activity with my friends in order to do an activity with my family. Although I sometimes feel torn between wanting to do my own thing with my friends and being a part of my family and doing what they want me to do, it always works out in the end.

Othering

From the Archive - Joe’s Barber Shop, St. Paul, MN
Frogtown (1993 - 1995)

http://know.wingyounghuie.com/page/2

At first glance of this photograph, I see a grumpy, old man getting his hair cut. He is looking off into the distance, seemingly distracted while the barber is cutting his hair. The black and white filter immediately makes me relate this photo to an older time. Peering deeper into the meaning of this photograph, the old man looks like he has a lot on his mind. He looks as if he knows his photo is being taken, but doesn't want to look at the camera for some reason. From his frown and his sad-looking eyes, he appears to be lonely. 

I looked up the definition of "othering" and found a blog that defined it as "any action by which an individual or group becomes mentally classified in somebody's mind as 'not one of us'". Connecting that definition to this photograph taken by Wing Young Huie, I tried to see a deeper meaning behind this older man getting his hair cut. I can infer that maybe this man feels lonely and even isolated from society because of his age. I realized that many adults, teenagers, and children treat the elderly much differently than the rest of society. We put them in care homes and treat them more like objects than actual people. I think this is because we believe they have contributed to society already and can't do much anymore or just want to give back to them somehow, but I don't think they appreciate our "efforts". I think most believe that the elderly are "outdated" and because of that, we treat them as outcasts.

This directly relates to Margaret Atwood's concept of "othering" in her book, The Handmaid's Tale. The Commanders, the Wives, the Econowives, and all of the other characters treat the Handmaids differently than how they treat each other. The characters almost segregate themselves from the Handmaids and objectify them. Atwood portrays the Handmaids as having little to no power although they are the reason the society still exists.