Then and Now

Looking back, the 1920s was a period of economic boom, social progression, and political development; which shifted from the scarring tragedies of WWI to the new age of modernism.

Daily life was fairly simple. Commonly, the standard was that men worked and the women stayed home in their domestic roles. Why you ask? Well, because men were the money makers, they were the educated, and the elite. I mean why would anyone ever assume such a role in a woman?
Thankfully, we have come far from this ignorant stigma of gender roles in our modern society; though, the role of husband and wife reflected greatly in the economy.

Many of the advertisements, such as jam, makeup, weight loss pills, etc. were all centered around the average middle class woman. In a general sense, it reveals the social standards that society pressured against women in that time period; which showed how and what they should appear to be. It was also known because of the domestic roles, that women were more likely to buy these advertised products rather than men. Men were often those seen as working, while women were left at home to wait. So it would make sense that many suffrage movements would attain themselves into advertising to liberate women and at the same time, reveal the gender stigmas of the period.

Despite these negative views, women's suffrage did become a great success. Once again, revealing the development of modernism itself throughout the era. The economic boom not only shows the positive affect of the war, but also demonstrates the "ignorance is bliss" theme. Many people purchased items not because they wanted them, but because they believed it would make them happy. As though an item would solve a person's issue. We conform ourselves into this idea of a magic pill, or a potion that will suddenly cure us of our problems. And in our transcendental society now, we realize how wrong we were.

Therefore, money does not buy happiness. But money is needed in this life and existence. In everything there is a sacrifice and paper is the victim.

The Importance of Punctuation

Throughout an ever-changing world the importance of having a standard form of punctuation is essential to formulate structure and clarity of the work; and thus exemplifying the author’s individuality.

Time is unchangeable concept, and as modern era progresses as does society; therefore the language of the society is also influenced. Yes, it is true that American literature has dramatically progressed throughout the centuries, yet the punctuation rules have remained constant. The purpose of having a fixed guideline of punctuation is not to slow down the process of evolution, which in itself is a natural process regardless, but instead to enhance the literature in an evolving world. By setting a universal standard of structure for writing the message of many authors and literature works are easily conveyed and captured to the reader. For example, if an author writes “Panda eats shoots and leaves”, then the reader understand that the author is talking about a Panda’s diet; but without proper punctuation the sentence can be easily misinterpreted as “Panda eats, shoots, and leaves”. Additionally, punctuation is used even in daily speech. Whenever a person speaks, there are unmarked punctuations taking place conveying the message of the speaker. The reason why students are taught these punctuation rules is to set a mutual known understanding of speech and intent of the author. As a writer progresses, they are able to expand further from these rules and take them into their own contexts. The mere purposes of punctuation rules are not to restrict the individual, but to organize and express themselves. Similarly to the Metric System, punctuation is a systematic form of language. Despite the varying worldly perceptions, these well-established rules create a mutual understanding of concepts; thus allowing everyone to communicate evenly. Punctuation acts the same way in which it, itself is a language. Punctuation is part of literature as well as communication and voice itself. Regardless of rules, punctuation is always there; therefore the difference lies in the sophisticated and coherent flow of purpose that the set standards provide toward the writer.

What is a Scarlett Letter?

"Imagine if, when we were born, we were marked with a symbol that would serve a predestination in our lives. And that very symbol would define our actions, intentions, and thoughts. On the surface, we are the symbol that marks us. This makes sense in a every society, since we are judged based upon what is on the surface.

Now picture this; every single one of our mistakes, instantly marked upon our chests--right for the world to see. Say you got an F on a math test, and the teacher forced you to wear that F for the entire day, maybe even week--maybe even a year.

But what if you studied for the math test, you just didn't understand how to solve the problems. Or maybe you were too busy to study. The fact is, no one knows this when they see the gigantic F stamped right across your chest. Instead the F glares back, speaking for itself--automatically silencing you without uttering a word.

The reality is, everyone fails and makes a mistake. The goal is not to assume the truth of someone is their physical representation.

You are your own reality. You know your own truth. So when did it become our right to know everyone else’s? When did we become the judge for a trial we are not even part of?

Perhaps the answer is “not within our stars, but within ourselves”.

And I'm Back!

I apologize for the lack of posts, that was due to a connection and internet error.

 

What is humanity? What is the concept of a thought?

In his speech to Kenyon College, 'This is Water' (2005), David Foster Wallace addresses the concept of the individual's role in society and within themselves. Wallace argues that naturally humanity has been degraded into a state of a "default setting", in which the human perspective is revealed as a variation of society itself. By encouraging the importance of education and self-expression, Wallace exposes the frailty and weakness of the human mind by his usage of stream of consciousness. Wallace identifies that the individual is not corrupt, but that society is the catalyst for conformity and fault through it's instigation of "this is that" and "that is this" concept. It is not the opinion of the individual, but the lesson integrated within the individual that leads into the assumptions of what is right and wrong--the social standards that convey society as a whole.

From birth we are taught that "2 + 2 = 4". And we accept that to be correct. Regardless of any scientific proof, we accept that someone out there knows exactly why that is true and move on. As though we are so limited on time that we are not able to look back. Yet, ironically it is our looking back, our research into the depths of the past which shape and influence out current state of living. Wallace uses the scenario of being in a supermarket and being stuck in traffic as though they are a huge waste of time. Yet, waste of time for what? Repeating the same cycle over again tomorrow? David reveals this concept of time being limited, while revealing the cycle of the average person.

So what is this purpose? Why does this cycle exist? Why must we conform as individuals into a community, a nation of repetition and foreseeing? It is the present which determines all else, and only by looking back may we see ahead.

Wallace expresses the greatest lesson of all, individuality and reality. Education and knowledge shape a person's perspective and opinion. And only through the knowledge gained through education, may an individual truly be free.