Historical Research On Popular Culture - 2343 Words

Brandon Schwery Historical Research Paper Popular Culture 22 October 2014 Popular culture defines our country in many aspects. It is how we will be viewed by future generations, and how we view previous generations. There are songs, movies, inventions, artwork, and books that let us momentarily go back into the times in which they were produced and let us experience it for ourselves. These different forms of media can teach us a lot about our ancestors. Popular Culture gives us an accurate windows into the times in which it was produced through many forms of media, events, and styles. There were a lot of positive themes in the 1920’s. The American economy was thriving and the troops just returned home from war, which produced a united and†¦show more content†¦The term flapper referred to women that were â€Å"northern, urban, single, young, middle-class women† (Flappers). Flappers had a new style and look that was not seen on women before; they would wear more revealing clothes such as short skirts, they cute their hair a lot shorter, and they would regularly wear makeup (Flappers). Flappers were a new type of woman that society was not used to. Flappers did not stay at home and rely on a man anymore; they would go out and find jobs to support themselves. At night, Flappers could be seen at â€Å"jazz clubs, vaudeville shows, and speakeasies† (Flappers). Flappers wanted to live by their own rules, and were not afraid of what society thought about them. â€Å"New woman of the twenties adopted the same carefree attitude toward prohibit ion as her male counterpart. Ironically, more young women consumed alcohol in the decade it was illegal than ever before.† (Flappers) Alcohol was made illegal by prohibition, but that did not stop flappers from having fun. They would frequent speakeasies and other underground clubs where they could purchase alcohol and enjoy the entertainment. Flappers not only started drinking alcohol, but they also started smoking. Smoking was â€Å"previously reserved for men† (Flappers), but that did not stop the women of the 1920’s from doing it. They were an entirely new group of women. Jazz is a type of music that was originally from New Orleans that uses a

The Implications Of Big Business - 1304 Words

The Implications of Big Business in America: Positive and Negative Aspects of Large Corporations for Society Big business has a constructive and positive influence on America. Corporations contribute much more to a country’s economic well being. Bigger businesses are more productive, pay higher salaries and hourly wages, generate more jobs, and are more successful in international markets. However, not everyone believes big business has a positive impact in the US. These people believe that big businesses are corrupt, and can damage an economy. It is important to distinguish the difference between big business and small business. Many people believe that big business will not be as effective as small businesses. J. D. Harrison (2013), a†¦show more content†¦However, it can be seen through the history of big business in the US, through its political and economic impact, and through ethical associations that big business has a positive impact on our nation. Business has always been a part of American history, but big business did not come into play until later in the life of our nation. To understand the history of big business in the US, one needs to understand the shift that occurred between the late eighteen hundreds and the early nineteen hundreds. In the late eighteen hundreds, business mostly comprised of farming. To own a business meant owning land that could be cultivated, harvested, and grow produce that could be sold for profit. The small business of farming dominated the culture, and there were very few big businesses in that period of time. However, in the short span of roughly fifty years, the cultural norm of business drastically changed. Large corporations emerged and took over the nation’s sales and profits. In that short amount of time, America’s citizens moved to the cities and went to college so they could participate in the big business culture. Big business became a livelihood for many Americans. From a negative standpoint, some businesses became so powerfu l that they tried to influence the government of the US, making for the argument that big business does not promote democracy. How could people be free with such power hungry industries that take

Awakening And Suicide Essay Example For Students

Awakening And Suicide Essay Indeed, the very person who takes his or her own life may be least aware at the moment of decision of the essence of his or her reasons and emotions for doing so. At the outset, it can be said that a dozen individuals can kill themselves and do or commit 12 psychologically different deeds Encyclopaedia Britannica, 385. Suicide is written about in a variety of novels, short stories, and movies. Suicide moves like an undercurrent in the sea of themes of The Awakening. The possibility of suicide and even the idea of death darkens the story, making Ednas emotional ups and downs dangerous her occasional misery leads her to subconsciously think of suicide. She holds the hopelessness at bay by moving out and getting her own apartment, while trying to find a man who will accept her, but in the end she succumbs. Ednas closest physical brush with death occurs one night at the beach, when the summer residents decide to take a midnight swim. Despite having had a hard time learning to swim, she realizes her ability and swims farther out than she ever had before. She overestimates her power and almost doesnt make it back. She has a quick vision of death. The experience scares her, but she has tested her limits and survived the sea for a while. Metaphorically, she has come close to death but resisted it. Falling asleep can be associated with the idea of death as well. Whenever Edna falls asleep, it is noted in the story; across the bay at church and the first night once her husband has left are examples. Each time there is a suggestion of drifting off to sleep and never waking up. When she is across the bay, once she wakes up, she likens her nap to a hundred years sleep. However, each time Edna does awaken; it is only at the very end when she finally drifts away. She could have chosen sleeping pills as her method of death, but she returns to the beach because of its memories of the summer, and the men in her life. Her near-death experience in the summer left an impression on her that influences her choice of escape from life. Throughout the story, Edna struggles to free herself. Leonce Pontellier tries to hold Edna down, wanting her to be a mother and a housewife, when she knows she is not like that. Her husbands oppression forces her to break free. This time, she escapes and begins life on her own, to succeed at first. Then she meets Alece Arobin. He is a disreputable man-about-town who draws Edna out to the horse races. For a moment, he brings her away from the precipice of suicide. His attentiveness attracts her, but in the end she  realizes that he means little to her. Eventually she sees Robert again. Having left her husband, she hopes to start a fresh new life with Robert. Edna reminds him, that it was he who awoke her last summer out of a life-long ,stupid dream; however, Robert only leaves her a note that reads, I love you. Good-by because I love you. Chopin, 695. He does not understand what she needs either. She realizes, during the long sleepless night that follows, that eventually she will forget her love for even Robert. That night she thinks about the forces that have tried to hold her down. She thinks of . . . Leonce and of the children. Chopin, 698; they sought to drag her into the souls slavery for the rest of her days. Finally, she realizes that her only escape is suicide. All her life, she has known people who try to hold her down; she will forget them and meet others. This is her surrender to a tradition and a society that is too powerful. She has flirted with suicide throughout the novel; in the end she . . . looked into the distance . . . heard her fathers voice and her sister Maragrets Chopin, 698, and then she was gone.

John Leguizamo Biography

Introduction John Leguizamo is an actor, stand-up comedian, vocal artist and an entertainment producer who has a varied origin. He was born in the year 1964 to a father of Puerto Rican origin and a mother from Colombia (Zook, 7). Tracing further back, paternal grandfather was from Italy while the maternal counterpart was from Lebanon. His father was at one time studying at Cinecitta aiming to be a film director. Unfortunately, he had to drop since he could not afford to pay for his education.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on John Leguizamo Biography specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More At four years old, Leguizamo’s family moved to the United States where they lived in a number of environs of New York. He went to Joseph Pulitzer Middle School and later joined Murry Bergtraum High School. It is here in high school that Leguizamo began writing comic material and practiced it out on his schoolmates (Leguizamo, 8) . In his time at Merry Bergtraum, he got the â€Å"Most Talkative† vote from his classmates. He joined Long Island University C.W. Post Campus after graduating from Merry Bergtraum and took theater studies. Early career Leguizamo began set off his career rolling as a stand-up comedian in the New York nightspot circuit. His first appearance on television was in 1984 as a twenty year old, where he played a small part in the show Miami Vice (Leguizamo, 9). He also undertook other tasks at this early age. He played a part in a video by Madonna in the same year. The video was entitled Borderline. In 1985, he acted as a buddy of Madonna’s boyfriend in Mixed Blood, in 1989 in Casualties of War, in 1990 in Die Hard 2, and in the following year in Hanging with the Homeboys. In 1991, he played the part of a robber in the video Regarding Henry( Zook, 10). Leguizamo had another role to play in the famed video Night Owl that was shot between 1989 and 1991. Film As time went by, Leg uizamo’s career continued rising as he was considered for roles to play in various films. He featured as John Castillo in the film Whispers in the Dark of the year 1992. In the following year, he played a leading role in the film Super Mario Brothers as Luigi. It kicked off his acting job in Hollywood and remains as one of his unforgettable roles (John Leguizamo Biography, Yahoo Movies). However, the film was widely considered a significant and monetary letdown. To an extent, Leguizamo himself disliked it due to the experiences that he underwent while working on it.Advertising Looking for report on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Nevertheless, this film acted as a stepping stone to even greater heights as it gave him chances to make appearances in better comic roles in the following years. This boosted the film hit the cult film position among his aficionados. In the same year, he played a high up part a s Carlito Brigante’s archenemy in the film Carlito’s Way, which gave his career a really significant shot in the arm (John Leguizamo Biography, Yahoo Movies). Leguizamo went on to star in famed films like Romeo + Juliet, Spawn, Land of the Dead, The Pest and To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar. He played as Tybalt Capulet in Romeo + Juliet, as Violator in Spawn, as Cholo in Land of the Dead, as Pestario Vargas in The Pest (Leguizamo, 11). The role he played in To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar was that of Chichi Rodriguez. Leguizamo was on a steady rise as he had a role in Arabian Nights, which won an award in the prestigious Emmy Awards in 2000. In the year 2001, Leguizamo was out to prop up the movie Moulin Rouge and had to show up on the superstar edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? He was the first superstar to take the hot seat but did not get the answer right. Come 2002, Leguizamo had a significant part to play for Ice Age, he arti culated Sid the Sloth. He later repeated the same role for the sequels in Ice Age: The Meltdown and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (John Leguizamo Biography, Yahoo Movies). The game adaptations of these films also used his voice. They included PlayStation 2 and Mac. In 2003, he was at his vocal artistry again in Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc where he voice-acted Globox (Leguizamo, 11). In the same year, he also acted as Paul in the suspenseful movie Vanishing on 7th Street. Television Leguizamo has also made appearances in a number of television shows over time. In 1995, he was presented with an only one of its kind occasion to generate, produce, write and star in the show House of Buggin on Fox Telvision. This program brought to the fore Legizamo’s unique talent to play a varied range of characters (Zook, 13). Unfortunately, the show did not complete a whole season as a result of low ratings. In the 2005 to 2006 television periods, leguizamo was among the players in the program ER . He acted as Dr. Victor Clemente, and in this role he emphasized on acquainting the staff with improved ways of treating the sick and advanced know-how.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on John Leguizamo Biography specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Dr. Clement was, on the other hand, afflicted with private problems and was shown the door from the hospital close to the closing stages of the season (Zook, 13). Removal from the show was a blessing to Leguizamo, as he later revealed. He was unhappy playing that role as it required him to do things he was not comfortable doing. These included smoking, eating donuts, all of which made him gain weight. In 2005, he had also starred on the show Dora the Explorer. He played the role of Captain Pirate Piggy. In the following year, he played the role of a detective in the drama show Edison (John Leguizamo Biography, Yahoo Movies). In this role he used impostures and masquerades to resolve crimes. In this particular show, leguizamo also was one of the executive producers. Later on in July 2007, the drama series The Kill Point began showing on Spike TV. It starred Leguizamo alongside two other actors, Donnie Wahlberg and Michael Hyatt. The program was about former war old hands who got involved in a bank robbery that did not go according to plan. It thus ended up in a hostage condition (Leguizamo, 14). The show had high ratings but surprisingly it was not renewed for a second period. Broadway and theater Leguizamo has also had memorable stints in theater. In 1991, he wrote and participated in the act Mambo Mouth. In this he played seven dissimilar roles. The act went ahead to scoop an Obie Award and an Outer Critics Award (Edwardes, 22). Leguizamo also got his name in the list as among the twelve new actors showing potential of 1991. This was in John Willis’s Screen Worlds Volume forty three. In 1993, Leguizamo wrote and played a role in the act Spic -O-Rama. In this act he ridiculed the typecasting of Latin people in America (Edwardes, 22). The piece went ahead to scoop four Cable ACE Awards and one Drama Desk Award in that year. In 1998, he made a first appearance on Broadway in the generation of Freak. The act was later turned into an HBO Film and it won Leguizamo a Drama Desk Award for exceptional one-person-show. In 2000, he participated in writing and acting the show Freak. The act was essentially on his entire life experience. He followed this with Sexaholic†¦.A Love Story in 2002 (Hirsh, 16). This is one of his famed acts and here he brought to the fore his love life and how he started his own family.Advertising Looking for report on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For this year, Leguizamo has written and acted in Klass Klown which is a semi-autobiographical show founded on his chronicle (John Leguizamo Biography, Yahoo Movies). The show is at present in a test run. Personal life Leguizamo got married to Justin Maurer in the year 2003. This was on June 28th and the ceremony was of a Catholic-Jewish setting. They are blessed with a daughter and a son, Allegra Sky and Ryder Lee (Leguizamo, 18). The family currently resides in New York City. John Leguizamo’s famous monologue, Sexaholix †¦ A Love Story In this 70-minute act of 2002, Leguizamo was speaking his thoughts and experiences aloud to the audience. The show began with a flare of loud music as he appeared on stage (Hirsh, 18). He radiated sexual energy and charm as he twisted his torso. With satire, he began looking at the world’s most personal deed and brought his audience to climactic instances of precision. The show laid emphasis on his private memories of making love (Edwardes, 26). It was a narration about a man as he grew up and his intimate affiliations. There was a lot of lovemaking and the act went on to show how wretched it could turn out. In the act he could spring up, crouch, run and bop across the stage. He was bringing out man’s inherent cravings and sensations (Hirsh, 18). These were accompanied by moan, sighs and pants. He articulated the ups, downs and side-to-sides of his first act of sex at a tender age of fourteen. In the second part of the act, Leguizamo got into what he called the love story part. Here he talked about conquest, negative response, affairs, marriage and the births of Allegra and Lucas, his daughter and son. He revealed that they were both born at home and acted out the births on stage (Hirsh, 19). What the whole act brings out as concerns Leguizamo is his development from a sexually charged boy to a dependable father. In the whole narration, leguizamo filled the stage with scores of Latino personalities wh o played a role(s) in his life. His gay uncle and lesbian aunt married just that they could have children. His wretched grandparents were in poker game most of the time and could only speak out of one side of their mouths (Edwardes, 28). For his case, he portrayed himself as a responsive man. He brought it to the fore that he found it difficult in the course of his life to utter the words ‘I love you’ until he met his wife. The act revealed that his life was not always smooth sailing. He graduated from New York University where he studied with famed people like Lee Strasberg and Wynn Handman. Despite this, his Latino roots most of the times came in the way of acts that did not require wielding knives (Hirsh, 20). He got rejections at various auditions for being ‘too ethnic’. He went through such rough times until the early 1990s when he began to be recognized. Conclusion What the whole act brings out as concerns Leguizamo is his development from a sexually charged boy to a dependable father. His closing remarks in this particular act were also encouraging. He stated that as much as his career path had brought him money, the most valuable things to him are his work, family and friends. Works Cited Edwardes, Jane. â€Å"The Faber Book of Monologues.† Faber and Faber, 2005. Hirsh, James. â€Å"Shakespeare and the History of Soliloquies†. Madison: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2003. John Leguizamo Biography. â€Å"Yahoo Movies†. Web. Leguizamo, John. â€Å"Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, And All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life†. New York: Ecco, 2006. Zook, Brent. â€Å"Comedy That Hits Close to Home; Now a Father, John Leguizamo Looks Back Without Anger†. The Washington Post, July 19, 2001. This report on John Leguizamo Biography was written and submitted by user KingBedlam to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.