Essays on Asian Americans Representetion in Modern Films

Our society has been influenced by television since its invention in 1920’s. Likewise, film production, being a part of magnificent TV empire, seems to manipulate people greatly without them realizing it. Namely, it may impose and establish stereotypes of racial-ethnic groups, thus, perpetuating strong, more often negative, images of a specific racial group in society’s consciousness. On the contrary, films can also impose positive attitude towards racial issue, making people feel themselves as a comprehensive whole, disregarding race, gender and age. This makes film industry very helpful in getting rid of stereotypes. It may seem paradoxical, but it is media that establish stereotypes and at the same time can help to get rid of them. Asian American community has always been a significant part of American society. The representation of Asian Americans in movies is rooted in military actions and issues with Japan, Korea, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam as well as in the history of Euro-American colonial occupation. It is vitally important to differentiate Asian Americans, who have live in the USA and have been absorbing American culture mostly since birth and Asian national, who know little about this country and may not be connected with it at all. In fact, there was a lack of Asian Americans’ representation after World War II. Moreover, having a little access to film industry Asian community was even more neglected than African Americans. However, there was a significant reason for underrepresentation – the image of Asian people seemed the image of enemy to Americans due to the war with Japan which caused a lot of casualties among American army. As the matter of fact, filmmakers couldn’t but avoid shooting Asians which were mostly associated with Japanese, thus, bringing negative context to the movie. Usually, they were represented as servants, people of lower class, very often strange, uneducated or criminal people – altogether these characteristics were forming unpleasant image of Asians in Americans’ consciousness. I personally think that actually those people who knew little about Asian Americans tried to create such an antagonist image on the silver screen (and are still doing it). Unfortunately, it was really hard to conquer mainstream so filmmakers had to become a part of it themselves. I believe that the Asian American movement in the 1960s-1970s had its reflection on film industry. At least, it was a perfect chance for Asian community to claim their rights and liberties and to take their position in American society to higher level. Thus, changing their position in the US society (even it was not a great change) had its impact upon their film representation. I can’t affirm that this change can be characterized as absolutely positive one, although any progress means steps for improvement. Unlike previous decades, at this period Asian Americans are considered to be obsessed with education, not individual success, consequently, having little chance to succeed in life. Namely, they are compared to computers what is unacceptable for Americans who value strong individualities first of all, not the grade at any educational institution. It is worth mentioning that at this very period Asian culture is viewed through the lens as a very unique one in contrast with Ame rican. To my mind, this fact makes Asians even more marginalized from Americans than before as two cultures are opposed. At this point the name of Bruce Lee has to be mentioned, the most successful actor of Asian origin at that time, who represented Asian martial arts as one of the differences between two cultures. If we turn to the image of Asian Americans at the end of 20th century, one can easily recognize that almost nothing has changed about it since 1970s. Still they are presented in cinematography as an opposition to Americans, being so much different and so unable to be integral part of American society.   To be more precise, films are mostly focused on a strange culture of Asians and their remoteness from any common US citizen. As a result, bias and stereotypes about Asian Americans are supported by films, making reputation of the latter even more miserable. Despite the fact that till the end of the 20th century there were some Asian Americans playing main parts in films and represented as protagonists, it is clear as a day that they still are viewed as very different nation compared to Americans, as people that are not a part of American society. As far as I am concerned, it is possible to define several most widespread stereotypical images of Asian Americans that have been presented in films since post-war period till now. Firstly, Asian accent, racial features, mannerism have been always depicted as something inherently comic, non-American and something that American people cannot assimilate. Therefore, Asians have been restricted to limited clichà ©d parts in film industry. Secondly, one can easily find movies where inherently predatory aspects of Asian cultures are shown. Thirdly, what seems to me very offensive is how Asian women are represented – they are often portrayed either as ‘China dolls’, being exotic, compliant and eager to please, or as ‘dragon ladies’, scheming, troublesome and unreliable. If we talk about Asian men, their position in cinematography is even worse that women’s – they are usually represented as non-romantic, what is more, asexual or having negative sexuality (threatening for white women). Furthermore, even martial arts, in which Asians are professionals, are not in favor of them in many films – practicing them by Asians represent the latter as villains. On the contrary, if martial arts are practiced by whites, it is likely to be positive. Currently we are able to observe positive changes in the way American Asians are represented in modern films. Despite the fact that most of stereotypes inherently or evidently presented in fiction cinematography, I strongly believe that nowadays’ documentaries are helping to get rid of negative attitude of Americans towards Asians. Unlike fiction, documentaries are willing to reveal objective view on Asian Americans, providing us with their stories, starting from birth till now. Thus, viewers are able to be in their shoes, live their life and understand their true feelings. Hopefully, observing all the obstacles Asian Americans had to overcome, Americans realize all the difficulties immigrants have to face when in different country with different traditions. As follows, establishing stereotypes about Asians makes their life almost unbearable, in other words, such oppression is even harder than just employment, accommodation, educational problems they have in the USA. Additiona lly, the ‘eye’ behind the camera and the documentary voice evoke sympathy and understanding in viewers. Consequently, Asian Americans are more likely to be integrated into American society, to be not as ‘alien’ as they used to be, they are being absorbed by Americans who are able to realize their troubles in foreign country easier nowadays. The only thing I do not like about documentaries is that they evoke only sympathy and, unfortunately, do not portray any achievements done by Asian Americans. To my mind, in order to fully assimilate Asians into American society, American people need to see reasons to be proud that they have fellow citizens like these, who have made great contribution to country’s culture or science. As a result, documentaries should also represent the image of Asian American who helps his country, the USA, does something for it, and, thus, is full member of its community. To conclude, I would like to mention that there are still a lot of things to be improved in the way Asian Americans are represented in films. Likewise, Americans’ consciousness has to be improved as well. American people need to be able to reject stereotypes and think critically in order to accept Asian Americans as an integral part of American society and its culture. Obviously, film industry is a powerful tool for changing point of view of any person and we need to use it in a positive way if we want to live in peace and harmony.

Joyces Araby a Double Focus Essay - 781 Words

Boy or Man: the Double Focus On one hand Araby is a story of initiation, of a boys quest for the ideal. Although the quest ends in failure, it results in an inner awareness and the boys first step into manhood. On another hand the story consists of a grown mans remembered experience, for the story is told in retrospect by a man who reflects back to a particular moment of intense meaning and insight. James Joyces fascinating double focus: the boys first experience, and the mans reflection to the unforgotten moments of his childhood provides for the dramatic rendering of a simple story of first love told by a narrator who, with his wider adult vision, can employ the sophisticated use of irony and symbolic imagery necessary to open†¦show more content†¦In the transition to manhood, the boys ideal becomes more centralized about the importance of freedom from society and religion. This enables him to see the society in which he grew up as one in the midst of social decay and spiritual paralysis caused by the social and religious control over its individuals lives. Through the use of symbolism, the author depicts the characters motives, thoughts and actions, in a deeper form, past what may seem as the tale of a young boys first love. The use of symbolism gives us an idea of the kind of problems the narrator is facing as an adult. The narrator, reflecting back as an adult, is able to see himself as a person being torn between his religious beliefs and his feelings. Joyce starts us off with an obvious religious symbol in the first line, North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers School set the boys free (21). The street is quiet and calm except when the boys are set free from the eyes of the church and the eyes of parents. The dead priest in the second paragraph adds to the religious symbolism. The priest is an obvious symbol, but the description of the room where he died is more revealing, Air, musty from having been long enclosed, hung in all the rooms, and the waste room behind the ki tchen was littered with oldShow MoreRelatedEssay on James Joyces Araby - Setting in Araby1597 Words   |  7 PagesSetting in James Joyces Araby  Ã‚   In the opening paragraphs of James Joyces short story, Araby, the setting takes center stage to the narrator. Joyce tends carefully to the exquisite detail of personifying his setting, so that the narrators emotions may be enhanced. To create a genuine sense of mood, and reality, Joyce uses many techniques such as first person narration, style of prose, imagery, and most of all setting. The setting of a short story is vital to the development of characterRead MoreEssay on James Joyces Araby3507 Words   |  15 PagesJames Joyces Araby I doubt there are book logs that commence with a note directing a reader, specifically you, even though I get the impression from Mr. Little to whom riding between pairs of glasses suggesting that in order to gather a bounty against my beloved head I must be obliged to fathoming on how to receive topic sentences with cradling arms and craters of dimples (have to love formalities, even of those lolling head-stumps, after all, it keeps NATO all triteRead MoreDublin as City of Paralysis VS Paris as City of Darkness in Modernist Literature2049 Words   |  9 Pagestremendous changes took place. Industrial revolution brought about techonological advancement while Darwin’s Evolutionary Theories completely overthrew traditional scientific beliefs. Undergoing such an immense transition at the turn of the century, the focus of the modernist writings was shifted from realism to experimental techniques such as fragmentation and defamiliarization. Modernist writers were no longer interested in depicting the city using the Victorian way. In the following paragraphs, shortRead MoreANALIZ TEXT INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS28843 Words   |  116 Pagesinternal and psychological as well as external and physical. In order for a plot to begin, some kind of catalyst is necessary. An existing equilibrium or stasis must be broken that will generate a sequence of events, provide direction to the plot, and focus the attention of the reader. Most plots originate in some significant conflict. The conflict may be either external, when the protagonist (also referred to as the focal character) is pitted against some object outside himself, or internal, in which

Joyces Araby a Double Focus Essay - 781 Words

Boy or Man: the Double Focus On one hand Araby is a story of initiation, of a boys quest for the ideal. Although the quest ends in failure, it results in an inner awareness and the boys first step into manhood. On another hand the story consists of a grown mans remembered experience, for the story is told in retrospect by a man who reflects back to a particular moment of intense meaning and insight. James Joyces fascinating double focus: the boys first experience, and the mans reflection to the unforgotten moments of his childhood provides for the dramatic rendering of a simple story of first love told by a narrator who, with his wider adult vision, can employ the sophisticated use of irony and symbolic imagery necessary to open†¦show more content†¦In the transition to manhood, the boys ideal becomes more centralized about the importance of freedom from society and religion. This enables him to see the society in which he grew up as one in the midst of social decay and spiritual paralysis caused by the social and religious control over its individuals lives. Through the use of symbolism, the author depicts the characters motives, thoughts and actions, in a deeper form, past what may seem as the tale of a young boys first love. The use of symbolism gives us an idea of the kind of problems the narrator is facing as an adult. The narrator, reflecting back as an adult, is able to see himself as a person being torn between his religious beliefs and his feelings. Joyce starts us off with an obvious religious symbol in the first line, North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers School set the boys free (21). The street is quiet and calm except when the boys are set free from the eyes of the church and the eyes of parents. The dead priest in the second paragraph adds to the religious symbolism. The priest is an obvious symbol, but the description of the room where he died is more revealing, Air, musty from having been long enclosed, hung in all the rooms, and the waste room behind the ki tchen was littered with oldShow MoreRelatedEssay on James Joyces Araby - Setting in Araby1597 Words   |  7 PagesSetting in James Joyces Araby  Ã‚   In the opening paragraphs of James Joyces short story, Araby, the setting takes center stage to the narrator. Joyce tends carefully to the exquisite detail of personifying his setting, so that the narrators emotions may be enhanced. To create a genuine sense of mood, and reality, Joyce uses many techniques such as first person narration, style of prose, imagery, and most of all setting. The setting of a short story is vital to the development of characterRead MoreEssay on James Joyces Araby3507 Words   |  15 PagesJames Joyces Araby I doubt there are book logs that commence with a note directing a reader, specifically you, even though I get the impression from Mr. Little to whom riding between pairs of glasses suggesting that in order to gather a bounty against my beloved head I must be obliged to fathoming on how to receive topic sentences with cradling arms and craters of dimples (have to love formalities, even of those lolling head-stumps, after all, it keeps NATO all triteRead MoreDublin as City of Paralysis VS Paris as City of Darkness in Modernist Literature2049 Words   |  9 Pagestremendous changes took place. Industrial revolution brought about techonological advancement while Darwin’s Evolutionary Theories completely overthrew traditional scientific beliefs. Undergoing such an immense transition at the turn of the century, the focus of the modernist writings was shifted from realism to experimental techniques such as fragmentation and defamiliarization. Modernist writers were no longer interested in depicting the city using the Victorian way. In the following paragraphs, shortRead MoreANALIZ TEXT INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS28843 Words   |  116 Pagesinternal and psychological as well as external and physical. In order for a plot to begin, some kind of catalyst is necessary. An existing equilibrium or stasis must be broken that will generate a sequence of events, provide direction to the plot, and focus the attention of the reader. Most plots originate in some significant conflict. The conflict may be either external, when the protagonist (also referred to as the focal character) is pitted against some object outside himself, or internal, in which

Joyces Araby a Double Focus Essay - 781 Words

Boy or Man: the Double Focus On one hand Araby is a story of initiation, of a boys quest for the ideal. Although the quest ends in failure, it results in an inner awareness and the boys first step into manhood. On another hand the story consists of a grown mans remembered experience, for the story is told in retrospect by a man who reflects back to a particular moment of intense meaning and insight. James Joyces fascinating double focus: the boys first experience, and the mans reflection to the unforgotten moments of his childhood provides for the dramatic rendering of a simple story of first love told by a narrator who, with his wider adult vision, can employ the sophisticated use of irony and symbolic imagery necessary to open†¦show more content†¦In the transition to manhood, the boys ideal becomes more centralized about the importance of freedom from society and religion. This enables him to see the society in which he grew up as one in the midst of social decay and spiritual paralysis caused by the social and religious control over its individuals lives. Through the use of symbolism, the author depicts the characters motives, thoughts and actions, in a deeper form, past what may seem as the tale of a young boys first love. The use of symbolism gives us an idea of the kind of problems the narrator is facing as an adult. The narrator, reflecting back as an adult, is able to see himself as a person being torn between his religious beliefs and his feelings. Joyce starts us off with an obvious religious symbol in the first line, North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers School set the boys free (21). The street is quiet and calm except when the boys are set free from the eyes of the church and the eyes of parents. The dead priest in the second paragraph adds to the religious symbolism. The priest is an obvious symbol, but the description of the room where he died is more revealing, Air, musty from having been long enclosed, hung in all the rooms, and the waste room behind the ki tchen was littered with oldShow MoreRelatedEssay on James Joyces Araby - Setting in Araby1597 Words   |  7 PagesSetting in James Joyces Araby  Ã‚   In the opening paragraphs of James Joyces short story, Araby, the setting takes center stage to the narrator. Joyce tends carefully to the exquisite detail of personifying his setting, so that the narrators emotions may be enhanced. To create a genuine sense of mood, and reality, Joyce uses many techniques such as first person narration, style of prose, imagery, and most of all setting. The setting of a short story is vital to the development of characterRead MoreEssay on James Joyces Araby3507 Words   |  15 PagesJames Joyces Araby I doubt there are book logs that commence with a note directing a reader, specifically you, even though I get the impression from Mr. Little to whom riding between pairs of glasses suggesting that in order to gather a bounty against my beloved head I must be obliged to fathoming on how to receive topic sentences with cradling arms and craters of dimples (have to love formalities, even of those lolling head-stumps, after all, it keeps NATO all triteRead MoreDublin as City of Paralysis VS Paris as City of Darkness in Modernist Literature2049 Words   |  9 Pagestremendous changes took place. Industrial revolution brought about techonological advancement while Darwin’s Evolutionary Theories completely overthrew traditional scientific beliefs. Undergoing such an immense transition at the turn of the century, the focus of the modernist writings was shifted from realism to experimental techniques such as fragmentation and defamiliarization. Modernist writers were no longer interested in depicting the city using the Victorian way. In the following paragraphs, shortRead MoreANALIZ TEXT INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS28843 Words   |  116 Pagesinternal and psychological as well as external and physical. In order for a plot to begin, some kind of catalyst is necessary. An existing equilibrium or stasis must be broken that will generate a sequence of events, provide direction to the plot, and focus the attention of the reader. Most plots originate in some significant conflict. The conflict may be either external, when the protagonist (also referred to as the focal character) is pitted against some object outside himself, or internal, in which

Nietzsche and “The Problem of Socrates” Free Essays

Without a doubt, Nietzsche was one of the great thinkers of his time.   He showed great insight into some of the social ills that existed at his time and sought to find ways in which to correct them.   Like Marx, Nietzsche believed that, to some extent, the root of many social ills came from the division between the classes and with the decadence of those with wealth. We will write a custom essay sample on Nietzsche and â€Å"The Problem of Socrates† or any similar topic only for you Order Now    In the case of the â€Å"problem† of Socrates, Nietzsche moves somewhat beyond the typical Marxist argument and questioned the wisdom of Socrates in other ways.   Although Nietzsche drew extensively from ancient texts to support his arguments about Socrates, the conclusions to which he came were completely modern in their nature. For his first argument, Nietzsche states that all sages have concluded that life is devoid of positive meaning (Nietzsche par. 1).   To support this argument, he cites Socrates’ conclusion that life equals sickness.   Socrates, Nietzsche argues, was not just tired of life himself; rather, his decadence was the symptom of a decline in society himself.   Not only was Socrates a â€Å"great erotic† (Nietzsche par. 8), but he was also an indication of how society itself was decadent. Nietzsche goes on to argue that Socrates was not a wise man at all.   Although it is usual to admire Socrates for his deeply analytical mind, Nietzsche argues that it is the philosopher’s overindulgence in this particular virtue that makes him decadent to begin with.   In fact, Nietzsche argues that Socrates was truly the opposite of everything that he was purported to be, and might not even be Greek at all.   To support these arguments, Nietzsche relies not only the texts that come from the time at which Socrates lived, but also on the writings of scientists, the â€Å"anthropological criminologists,† who argue that criminals are typically ugly people. In the eyes of Nietzsche, it appears that Socrates is not what he appears at first blush at all.   It is well known that Socrates came from the plebian class, but Nietzsche also argues against his ugliness, which appears in both writings on and sculptures of Socrates.   If Socrates was ugly and conventional wisdom at the time during which Nietzsche lived was that criminals are ugly, is it not possible to argue that Socrates was not a great man, but, rather, a criminal? And, because criminals are typically decadent, it is not possible to support, at least by arguments of the times, the statement that Socrates was decadent as well?   If these things are true, then Nietzsche can feel justified in arguing that Socrates was not a great man and that all of the philosophers that followed him through the leadership of Plato were also symptomatic of all that was wrong with Socrates and with his form of reasoning. Where Socrates fails, in the mind of Nietzsche, is in his overwhelming need for and reliance upon reasoning.   Prior to Socrates, Nietzsche points out, argumentation in polite society did not exist in polite society.   In fact, Nietzsche argues, the argumentation that Socrates relied upon was the vanquishing of â€Å"a noble taste† in which people did not live solely by reason, but through personal responsibility and personal morality, through instincts, rather than reason. It is through the writings that come down to this age, in which Socrates is depicted as an ugly man that is ruled solely by reason, that Nietzsche is able to draw his very modern conclusion: man without instincts is a diseased creature who has no desire to live.   Using this argument, Socrates did not bravely face his execution; instead, he wanted to die because he was not true to his instinctive human nature and, thus, had become infected with the decadence brought about by his over-reliance on logic, reason, and morality imposed from an exterior source. All of Nietzsche’s reasoning, of course, is based on his own desires to support his own arguments.   It is not difficult to trace a decline in Greek society over the centuries, but whether this decline is directly correlated with the reason imposed by Socrates and later by Plato it is impossible to say.   Rather, it appears that Nietzsche is making the argument to support his belief that human beings are instinctive creatures that are best when they are overflowing the restrictions imposed by society. Socrates’ form of reasoning, Nietzsche argued, was a last resort of a failing society.   This Socratic reasoning did not so much remove decadence from society as it did simply change that decadence into another form. The removal of instinct from society’s grasp and, in fact, the actual opposition that society had to the instinctive nature of humanity, was the cause of the disease that Socrates personified–at least in Nietzsche’s opinion. At the time that the ancients were writing in praise of Socrates, it was to their benefit to do so.   A new form of society was coming into being and Socrates was the forerunner of the kind of citizen that would populate it.   If Socrates was denigrated in writings during the time at which he lived, it was not because he was decadent or ugly, but because he challenged the society in which he lived. Nietzsche, however, chose to interpret the writings that he studied as proof that Greek society was in decline due to the rise of reason over instinct, which would thus support his argument that the ills and decadence of modern society sprang from the morals and reason that were being imposed upon the world.   In a very real sense, it can be argued that Nietzsche skewed the historical writings he studied to support his modern philosophical statements. Nietzsche argues that as long as reason and external morality is imposed upon society, the people who live within it are diseased and devoid of reasons to live.   He indicates that all of the sages throughout the ages have come to this conclusion, including Socrates, who came to such a conclusion about his own right.   Nietzsche came to very different conclusions than those that were reached by the people upon whose texts he based his reasoning because of his imposing modern values upon the writings of these ancient texts.   By using his own reasoning and the reasoning suggested by then-modern scientists, Nietzsche supported his own agenda that argued against reason and for instinctive humanity. Work Cited Nietzsche, F.   â€Å"The Problem of Socrates.†Ã‚   18 Dec 2007. http://forum.erraticwisdom.com/viewtopic.php?pid=2943. How to cite Nietzsche and â€Å"The Problem of Socrates†, Essay examples