Gender Inequality in Hollywood Essay -- stereotypes, media, gender ine

Stereotypes in our society are not uncommon. We come across them every day without realizing it. It is in our human nature to create expectations of the people around us, which could be based upon their ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or other factors. Stereotypes help us categorize a vast group of people that we may not know anything about, to think that they are smaller and less intimidating. I believe that the blame for these cookie-cutter patterns can lead directly back to the media in every sense of the word. Media is all around us, and affects our opinions and ability to think for ourselves. Whether it’s the latest box office hit or the headlining news, we are getting assumptions from every point of view, which makes it hard to form our own. But I personally think that the biggest influence of our time are in the cinematic arts. Movies have been a huge part of the American culture since the motion pictures were first invented. Since the late eighteenth century, families have been going to the movie theater to spend quality time together. But as the action packed western thrillers soon turned to risque dramas, the idea of Hollywood made filmed changed drastically. In the early nineteen fifties, when televisions were becoming quite popular in the average American home, it was considered provocative to broadcast a married couple sitting in bed together. But today it would be considered a G rated program if it didn’t at least imply sexeul interests. This topic can be traced back to the stereotypes of Hollywood’s employees and how they influence us today. From Actors to Actresses or even just the director’s assistant, everybody in Hollywood has an expectation from someone else. When people think about the q... ... a child's life than motherhood. The interpretation is up to the audience, and sexist or not there still hints in the story by common belief of Hollywood critics. Both these movies, although vastly different, are examples of implied male dominance. A term more commonly referred to is gender inequality, which sounds more staid but at the same time is also taken more seriously. Works Cited Castillo, Monica. "You Can Win an Oscar, but You Can't Win Respect." B Media. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2012. Gianoulus, Tina. St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Vol. 4. Detroit [u.a.: St. James, 2000. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. "Roundtable: Five Casting Directors on Crazy Auditions and Industry Sexism." The Hollywood Reporter. THR Staff, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013. "Film Facts." WMM | RESOURCES | FILM FACTS. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

American History X

In the scene where Dr. Sweeney visited Derek in prison to update him of Danny's regression in school, it signified that despite their contradicting racial roots both still agreed to forward a common cause which is to secure a better future for Danny. Meanwhile, in the opening scene of the movie, Danny and Dr. Sweeney where having a confrontation about Danny's racist paper. This particular scene showed that Dr. Sweeney who is perceived by Danny as an enemy because of his color and position as an authority figure can initiate change to a person who is closed-minded.Though Danny and Derek have the same genes and grew up in the same environment, both characters have developed contrasting point of views at the latter part of the movie. This illustrated that personal convictions and mind-set can be altered once a person is exposed to a new condition or situation. As for the symbolic interaction between Derek and Murray, similarities in race does not guarantee a harmonious relationship. Der ek's animosity with Murray is not rooted on discrimination but it was based on his desire to protect his family and preserve his father's image.2. How would differential association explain the progression from conformity to deviance for (A) Derek (B) Danny. Prior to the tragic death of their father, Derek and Danny were normal in the sense that they did not have any erroneous feelings towards other people. This incident was exploited by a supremacist who preached about the domination of the white race. Because Derek and Danny would mostly hang out with other people who have the same ideals as a supremacist, they changed their ideology and lifestyle dramatically.The modification in their behavior from being carefree to being a racist and selective have pushed them to commit racial crimes like thrashing a convenient store of a foreign immigrant and mercilessly killing a black man. Derek from being a typical suburban boy became a leader of a racist group. As for Danny, he acquired his dislike for minority groups from his brother. He looked up at Derek like he was his father. Since Danny idolized his brother, he imitated all his actions and beliefs regardless of whether it is right or wrong. 3. What was communicated from Derek to Danny?Derek greatly influenced his brother. When he tried to change the world by degrading other people, Danny supported him. But when Derek tried to undo what he had done to his brother, Danny was hesitant. However, at the end of the movie, Danny made a conclusion through his paper that differences should not impose conflict because in the end people are all the same and the idea of coexisting harmoniously is not far fetched because every human being has his/her innate good nature. 4. Derek is progressing out of deviance while Danny is becoming deviant.Why? (Use differential association to explain) According to Edwin Sutherland, a criminologist, deviance is manifested when a person sees a specific situation as a suitable opportunity to break the law or conventional beliefs. More so, through a person's personal historical accounts based on previous associations with other people, a situation is defined (cited in Florida State University, 2008, â€Å"Differential Association Theory†). In the movie, Derek changed from being a racist to an open-minded person because of his experiences in jail.His preconceived notions about supremacist ideals were not upheld inside the dog eat dog world of the penal system. In his dismay, he fostered a close relationship with a black man and realized that the color of the skin of a person does not dictate one's capabilities and traits. Since Derek's awakening, he changed his attitude and focused more on eminent issues such as the reconstruction of his broken family. When Derek's was having an enlightenment, Danny was immersing himself to a deviant life.This was made possible because Danny's life revolved around an exclusive group whose ideals were centered on racism. His knowled ge of what is right or wrong and good or bad were based on the activities that happened within his group. Since most of his friends saw every situation as a chance to violate laws and the norms, they committed several crimes. By mere association, Danny is engulfed in the deviant system of his group. References â€Å"Differential Association Theory. † 2008. Florida State University. 19 March 2008 .

Carmilla and Dracula - 1362 Words

Gothic Essay o A querying of normative gender behaviour and sexuality pervades the 19th century gothic fiction text. What does this reveal about the cultural context within the tale exists? This essay will attempt to discuss the two gothic tales ‘Carmilla’ and ‘Dracula’ in relation to cultural contexts in which they exist as being presented to the reader through the gender behaviour and sexuality that is portrayed through the texts. Vampire stories always seem to involve some aspect of sexuality and power. Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu wrote Carmilla. It was first published in 1872 as part of the collection of short stories titles ‘In a Glass Darkly.’ Carmilla predates the publishing of Dracula by 25 years. Laura, who is also one of the†¦show more content†¦This then poses the question that is there feelings involved in the friendship? This could be describes as the character of Laura being in a ‘dreamlike’ state and not being able to clearly define the boundaries of their friendship. Later in the story it is discovered that Carmilla is in fact a vampire. The vampire is a phenomenon that has appeared in literature of different epochs. (Klà ¼sener, 2010). She never is seen to consume any food only drinks, and Laura’s father has described Carmilla as a ‘late sleeper’ as she never rises too early in the morning. It would be fair to say that she is a ‘creature of the night’ or nocturnal. Gender and sexuality is portrayed in this text as though the female plays a weak role in society at the time. Like many gothic texts the female protagonist is seen as portraying the repressed femininity. As Laura lost her mother at an early age it is very clear to the readers the Carmilla has taken on this role as she became involved in Laura life from when she was such a young age. Bertha was a lady sent to look after Laura as a child but she had an unfortunate encounter with Carmilla and died soon after. 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