Tuesday, January 21, 2020
The Reality Of Choice Essay -- essays research papers
The term philosophy encompasses various meanings and raises many questions for example, it seeks to explore the true meaning of reality, truth, values, justice and beauty. ( Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia, 240 ). There are many terms used by philosophers that are often interpreted differently by other philosophers . Free will is an example as well as an important debatable issue. Some philosophers view free will as non existent , while others argue that it really exists and I strongly agree with the latter . Every philosopher view the world according to his own culture and religion and that's why each of them created different hypothesis and theories . Some argue that the environment plays a major role in shaping a person's personality and therefore is held responsible for all his actions . Others claim that nature in itself has the upper hand with regard to the actions of human beings. While Blatchford stressed that predicting a person's actions proves the non existence of free will . ( 105 ) However, Stace contrverted that there are both free and unfree will acts (112) but I disapprove with all the previous theories because my religious upbringing allows me to believe that free will determines our destiny. Philosophers like Mill believe that a person's environment is the major shaper of his character . He believes that everything around the person affects his personality in some way or another and thereby directing his actions to reach a certain goal previously identified for him. He believes that a person has little power over forming his own character , since his character is formed by the circumstances surrounding him and since one of these circumstances is his desire to change . This desire is awakened when the person experiences painful consequences associated with his previous character ( Mill , 477: 481) . Mill also states that " A person feels morally free who feels that his habits or his temptations are not his masters , but he theirs ; " ( Mill, 480) .Free will is the ability of deciding freely what to do without fearing anything or being influenced by a habit , a temptation ,an earlier experience or tendency. For example , I know two twins who come from a very religious and conservative family they were both brought up properly and lived in the same environment . One of them chose to conform with her f... ...e always stemming from his soul . In addition , to be fair we should reward good behavior and punish bad behavior . To sum up , man possesses free will in every aspect of his life . Through the past decades many philosophers emerged each having his own sets of ideas regarding the concept of free will . Some argue that nature was the most influential factor , others stated that a person's environment and experiences are the major factor that affects people's choices . Some thought that free will exists but it is affected by both heredity and environment . Another group of philosophers claimed that free will exists and in not affected by any forces because every free act stems from a person's conscience and every person is totally responsible for his actions . God gave us the ability to choose between right or wrong and good or bad . It is up to us whether to choose this way or the other . Ofcourse , God knows our choices in advance yet , God did not make our choices we made them ourselves . I believe in God's justice and fairness . Our choice determines our fate ; whether we should go to heaven and enjoy it's delights or hell and experience the torture we deserve .
Sunday, January 12, 2020
IT Professionals and Ethical Issues Essay
IT professionals have to observe a greater degree of accountability in the practice of their profession. Their works, which have been used by many consumers, have offered not only benefits, but also of harms and risks (Bayles, 1989; Nissenbaum, 1994). Faulty and malfunctioning computer systems have cost lives, money, valuable time, and other valuable resources (Bayles, 1989). When the undesirable outcomes occur, they became the center of controversy, are these intentional, accidental, or obvious outcomes of recklessness or negligence? As a result, imposing a strong culture of accountability has become a bigger challenge for the people in the computing community. The solution to achieving a reliable standard for setting a degree of responsibility in the practice of the IT profession is by setting the degree of reliability and safety for all IT projects (Bayles, 1989; Nissenbaum, 1994). In the computing world lie many barriers which obscure accountability (Nissenbaum, 1994). First is the problem of many hands. IT products are produced by more than one individual. When problems occur, everyone points their fingers at one another. Itââ¬â¢s hard to identify who is to be held accountable for a mistake. Second is the problem of bugs, the natural hazards of programming. It has been used by some as an excuse for their mistakes. Third is the problem of blaming the computer in case of errors. Machines do fail, but probably due to one or more factors. It could be due to poor design, or of improper handling by its operator, yet itââ¬â¢s still a human error. Lastly is the problem of ownership without liability. Product owners and developers donââ¬â¢t want to take liabilities in case their products fail. To control these barriers, the computing community has set a suitable standard for achieving reliability and safety which evolves together with the evolution of knowledge (Bayles, 1989; Nissenbaum, 1994). The standard will then serve as the fundamental basis for setting a standard degree of accountability for those who cause harms and risks of using IT products. However, the bottom line is everyone has to learn how to take responsibilities. IT professionals have to think about not only the welfare of their investors, or their bosses, but also the welfare of its consumers (Bayles, 1989). They have to keep the integrity of the profession of computing, and struggle to maintain the peopleââ¬â¢s confidence in it. The profession has to be used to promote the welfare of all individuals. It should not be used to cause harm, or to steal, or to invade the privacy of the people (Bayles, 1989; Nissenbaum, 1994). The discipline has to start in every individual.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Should Medical Marijuana Be Legal - 1778 Words
ââ¬Å"Do the benefits of using medical marijuana for chronic pain outweigh the risks? Medical Marijuana is a topic we have all heard a couple of times in the past years. It has been a debatable topic since there seems to be a lot of opinions on what should be and shouldnââ¬â¢t be legal. Some say its benefits outweigh anything else, and some others state that there is a hazard involved with this drug. There are studies on both sides of the question that demonstrate what appear to be clear benefits for medical marijuana, as well as long-term studies which suggest a number of risks involved with its use. Even though Marijuana carries several side effects to its user, do the benefits of using Marijuana for pain management outweigh the risks? The main questions I will be addressing in this research essay are: 1. Is there any medical health benefits associated with medical marijuana? 2. What medical conditions qualify for a medical marijuana license? 3. Is medical marijuana harmful? It is well known how marijuana as a medical treatment dates back as far as five thousand years ago. Different ancient civilizations have been found to use medical marijuana as a medical treatment dating all the way back to 8000 B.C. The Chinese emperor Shen-Nung was a firm believer of the plant, he was known to prescribe marijuana in tea as a treatment for various conditions like rheumatism, and poor memory to many people (Bostwick 173). Other notable civilizations who used the plant included theShow MoreRelatedMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal904 Words à |à 4 PagesMedical Marijuana Although marijuana is illegal and lacks FDA approval it should be used to treat cancer. Opponents of medical marijuana argue that it is too dangerous to use, lacks FDA approval, and that various legal drugs make marijuana use unnecessary. They believe marijuana is addictive, leads to harder drug use, and injures the lungs, immune system, and brain. They also believe that medical marijuana is a front for drug legalization and recreational use. Benefit that it is isnââ¬â¢t a great treatmentRead MoreShould Medical Marijuana Be Legal?1249 Words à |à 5 PagesMarch 1, 2017 Medical Marijuana Informative Unless you ve been living under a rock, you have probably at some point in the last few years had a conversation with a friend or family member regarding medical marijuana. Although it is considered a controversial topic, in recent months it has been gaining approval by the public. But it does not come without opposition and arguments. Medical marijuana is a complex subject and still requires more education for the public, the medical community, and theRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1477 Words à |à 6 Pagesacross the nation believe that medical marijuana can provide a variety of benefits ranging from pain relief to increasing appetite. Others wonââ¬â¢t provide the drug to patients until more significant evidence is presented. The drug has been a topic of debate for many years, but one thing that researchers can always count on is a growing library of testimonials from patients who have legally experimented with the drug to manage their conditions. As it stands, mari juana has had a different impact in eachRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1651 Words à |à 7 Pagesmost commonly referred to as marijuana. Medical marijuana refers to the use of cannabis and its cannabinoids to treat disease or improve symptoms (Wikipedia.com). Cannabis contains two active ingredients inside called cannabinoids (CBD) along with the delta-g-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The medicinal and psychoactive effects that personally associate with marijuana are caused by unique structures of cannabinoids. In addition, the major psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is THC, which additionallyRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1545 Words à |à 7 Pagesmedicinal utility of marijuana. However, the federal government opposes passing legislation that would legalize medical marijuana because of its potential to be abused or unregulated. The states are continuously challenging the federal government causing complications in legislation in regards to medical marijuana. Because of its history of medicinal properties and accumulating amounts of state and local legislation, the federal government should decriminalize medical marijuana and legalize its useRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1053 Words à |à 5 PagesMedical marijuana, also called cannabis, is used in some places as a medication to treat diseases and symptoms. Many people consider it helpful and harmless making it the most used illicit drug in North America. With legalizing medical marijuana people can alleviate some health problems and help ease physical pain, but it also can bring many concerns, questions, and responsibility. Legalizing cannabis can help many people with their health conditions. There are some advantages to taking medicalRead MoreShould Medical Marijuana Be Legal?1591 Words à |à 7 Pagesdebated topic on marijuana legalization is widely argued. Whether itââ¬â¢s for medical or recreational usages, this topic is reaching boiling point. The complicity on the legalities of marijuana has reached a point in society where legal usage has been popping up across the country. In the medical sector, studies have shown benefits, and harmful effects in patients. Some physicians support, however some physicians do see health concerns that influence their stance on whether medical marijuana laws are toRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal897 Words à |à 4 PagesMedical Cannabis Weed Cannabis, also known as Marijuana has many effects to it. In recent years officials have decided that it should be used for medical usage. They have found out that it helps many medical conditions. Medical cannabis has many things that could cure. Studies has shown that it slows the response time in the synapses in the brain it helps the brain heal. For example if someone was in a bad wreck it allows the brain to eventually heal. Because it is unlike other prescribed drugs weedRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal860 Words à |à 4 Pagesthat medical marijuana might be useful in reducing this pressure. Marijuana has also became a common sight in the medicine cabinets of patients suffering from HIV/AIDS and many different forms of cancer. Cannabis consumptions has been known for its ability to stimulate appetite commonly referred to as ââ¬Å"getting the munchies.â⬠Medical marijuana can successfully benefit its patients with HIV or cancer by helping generate an appetite through the use of plant. Researchers have shown that medical cannabisRead MoreMedical Marijuana Should Be Legal1777 Words à |à 8 Pages Medical marijuana brings many benefits to the medical community and should be legalized. Medical marijuana also known as medical cannabis, brings relief too many people with multiple different types of diseases. One major benefit of marijuana being such a good relief medicine is that it is not addictive. Medical marijuana would also be very easy to regulate and bring many economic benefits to our country. Medical marijuana also known as medical cannabis brings relief too many people with many different
Friday, December 27, 2019
Exploring The African American Woman s Identity Through...
Exploring the African American Womanââ¬â¢s Identity through the Arts In the Africa American culture, there has been a longstanding discussion of the black womanââ¬â¢s physical appearance and how they identify themselves in society. Though there are many themes of the Black experience in the media that discuss the standard of beauty Black women should have. However, theatre has a creative and tactful way of exploring these topics that are considered taboo in the African American culture. During the Black Arts Movement, topics such as black empowerment and self-identity were the blue print for what the movement stood for. In reference to, A Brief Guide to the Black Arts Movement Writers, ââ¬Å"African American artists within the movement sought to create politically engaged work that explored the African American cultural and historical experienceâ⬠(A Brief Guide to the Black Arts Movement Writers.1). Prolific writers such as, Ntozake Shange s, Amari Baraka, and Nikki Giovanni, just to name a few, were revolutionary in a creative and political movement, which allowed for writers and poets to demonstrate the pains and qualms of what African Americans faced in Western society. Two African American playwrights, Lorraine Hansberry and Adrienne Kennedy, expounded on these topics in their plays A Raisin in the Sun and Funny House Negro. In the further exploration of stigmas of African American female hair and self-identification through theatre, these plays will be used as a platform toShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Chris Ofili s No Woman No Cry 1697 Words à |à 7 Pages Painter Chris Ofili is well known in his highly decorative style to playfully explore the notion of black cultural identity. British born to Nigerian parents artist Chris Ofili often makes work highlighting political conversations. In 1998 he won the Turner Prize, the painting No Woman, No Cry was one of the works included in exhibition which won him the prize. It was made while he was living and working in London, a time period of Ofiliââ¬â¢s practice, beginning in 1996, in which he shiftedRead MoreThe Black Man and Langston Hughes1601 Words à |à 7 PagesThe term identity is defined by Websterââ¬â¢s dictionary as being ââ¬Å"the state or fact of remaining the same one or ones, as under varying aspects or conditionsâ⬠however in exploring the concept of Identity in black literature, we can find no definite explanation or definition. We can try to accept that it has been rooted in social situations that are generally more discriminatory, such the institution of slaver y. In some way shape or form, the average or normal African American is confronted with theRead MoreWoman Hollering Creek By Sandra Cisneros1587 Words à |à 7 PagesThe book Woman Hollering Creek, by Sandra Cisneros highlights many examples of ââ¬Å"everyday verbal mythologyâ⬠in the Hispanic culture, literacy and language as sites of conflict build up. The violence in lack of translation, interpretation by translators, culture betrayal and existence of encoded language only familiar to insiders are some of the issues that seems not to appeal to the translators. The sufferings and subordination of both the culture and language by the leading culture is accompaniedRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance- a Black Cultural Revolution2021 Words à |à 9 Pagestalented minds of African-Americans in the 1920s. Although principally thought of as an African-American literary movement, the Harlem Renaissances influence extended through every form of culture: art, dance, music, theatre, literature, history, and politics. Along with the great contribution this period made towards art and entertainment, the Harlem Renaissance also made a great impact on a social level. The Harlem Renaissance gave birth to the first African-American cultural identity and playedRead MoreRacism- An Aid to American Society2184 Words à |à 9 PagesRacism ââ¬â An Aid to American Society? ââ¬Å"Racism is actions, practices or beliefs, or social or political systems that consider different races to be ranked as inherently superior or inferior to each other, based on presumed shared inheritable traits, abilities, or qualities.â⬠(Newman, 2012) Racism has promulgated after the slavery in America, and these practices are still evident in our generations today. Oftentimes, when the word ââ¬Å"racismâ⬠is heard by many, negative characteristics on these actionsRead MoreHarlem And The Harlem Renaissance Essay2269 Words à |à 10 Pages1930s nearly half a million African Americans migrated to the northern cities, in a movement called the Great Migration. Many of the southern African Americans migrated to a city called Harlem in New York. They relocated due to dogmatism and intolerance of melanin diverging out the of pores of many white southerners. The African Americans who migrated found new opportunities both economic and artistic that resulted to the creation of a stable middle class Black ââ¬âAmericans (Dover, 2006). This was theRead MoreAnalysis Of Alice Walker s Search Of Our Mother s Gardens Essay1910 Words à |à 8 Pagesit explores racism, oppression, slavery, self-identity, freedom, enlightenment and independence. She writes about the scope of her history as a black woman, both personally and through the past experiences of her ancestors. In an interview with John Oââ¬â¢Brien, when asked what determines her interests as a writer she responded stating ââ¬Å"I am preoccupied with the spiritual survival, the survival whole of my people. But beyond that, I am committed to exploring the oppressions, the insanities, the loyaltiesRead MoreIdentity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes2807 Words à |à 12 PagesSearch for Identity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes In exploring the problem of identity in Black literature we find no simple or definite explanation. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that it is rooted in the reality of the discriminatory social system in America with its historic origins in the institution of slavery. One can discern that this slavery system imposes a double burden on the Negro through severe social and economic inequalities and through the heavy psychological consequencesRead More Search for Identity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes Essay2704 Words à |à 11 PagesSearch for Identity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes In exploring the problem of identity in Black literature we find no simple or definite explanation. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that it is rooted in the reality of the discriminatory social system in America with its historic origins in the institution of slavery. One can discern that this slavery system imposes a double burden on the Negro through severe social and economic inequalities and through the heavy psychological consequencesRead MoreThe Historical Progression of African Americans4523 Words à |à 19 PagesProgression of African Americans Jeff Brown HIS 204: American History Since 1865 Prof Carl Garrigus May 16, 2010 The Historical Progression of African Americans America in 1857 was a ââ¬Å"Nation on the Brink.â⬠Relationships between the Northern and Southern states had been strained for decades. During the 1850 s, the situation exploded. The Compromise of 1850 served as a clear warning that the slavery issueââ¬ârelatively dormant since the Missouri Compromise of 1820ââ¬âhad returned. African Americans
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Suffering and Identity in Donne and Wit - 1195 Words
Oneââ¬â¢s identity may be questioned when suffering; ultimately suffering is what creates oneââ¬â¢s sense of self or what destroys it. The poetry of John Donne and the play W;t, 1993, by Margaret Edson, both illustrate and explore a sense of suffering and identity. In John Donneââ¬â¢s poetry, suffering, both emotionally and physically allows the speaker to understand their identity in more depth, in comparison to Margaret Edsonââ¬â¢s play, W;t, Vivianââ¬â¢s suffering leads her identity to be stripped away. In Donneââ¬â¢s sonnet, ââ¬ËIf poysonous minerallsââ¬â¢ we are shown suffering religiously and emotionally, through oneââ¬â¢s sinââ¬â¢s, questioning godââ¬â¢s justice, which leads to a realisation of oneââ¬â¢s identity. In Margaret Edsonââ¬â¢s play, W;t, Vivianââ¬â¢s emotional sufferingâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬Å"And I their Mapp, who lie Flat on this bedâ⬠. He describes his body as a map, a metaphor for his life being a jour ney, which his doctors attempt to read in order to discover his illness and his suffering and ultimately where his journey ends. In reference to Cartography, Donne refers to bearings, using the imagery of a map to point out that what we see on the western edge of a flat map is also to be found on the eastern edge, showing that he believes life and death are connected to each other. In the final stanza, Donne feels joy at the though of death as he feels he will recover his identity by reuniting with the lord. In the final stanza, he returns to the idea of the first stanza, summing up the poemââ¬â¢s central message with the use of a paradox. ââ¬Å"Therefore that he may raise the Lord throws down.â⬠This paradox shows that to rise up to heaven, one must be thrown ââ¬Å"downâ⬠by death, so therefore one must suffer to be accepted and united in a place where oneââ¬â¢s identity is established. His extreme suffering has purged and prepared him for paradise. Vivianââ¬â¢s physical suffering is caused by her illness, which slowly deteriorates her identity. In W;t, Vivianââ¬â¢s physical character is enhanced by her power through Language and itââ¬â¢s discourse. As time progresses, cancer slowly causeââ¬â¢s her to suffer physically, and therefore inverts her powerful identity. On page 25, Vivianââ¬â¢s body is clinically deconstructed, theShow MoreRelatedManagement Course: MbaâËâ10 General Management215330 Words à |à 862 PagesAs we continue to experience the twenty-first centuryââ¬â¢s economic, social, and political churning, how will these driving factors be influenced by the brutally competitive global economy in which organizations do not have any particular geographic identity or travel under any particular national passport? What will be the effect of the rapid gyrations in markets that emphasize the difficulties that accounting practices face in determining true performance costs and that forecasting programs c onfront
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Essential to the Freedom a People free essay sample
The tea was imported, which was a major problem; it began to take money and jobs away from the Americans. But, the act did provide financial relief for the British East Indian Company, which was deeply in debt because of the military expeditions to extend Britains influence in India. The Tea Party Act offended many Americans since 1768, the use of British tea is considered not as a private but public evil (CTD. Massachusetts Spy Henrietta 153). The American merchants joined the protest against the East Indian Company because they excluded the Americans from he trade since they started distributing the tea directly to shopkeepers.In response to the Tea Act, an event occurred in Boston in 1773. When a new shipment of tea was waiting to be unloaded in Boston Harbor, a group of colonists disguised as Native Americans boarded the ship, breaking open the crates and dumping the tea In the water. We will write a custom essay sample on Essential to the Freedom a People or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Colonists later argued about whether this event should be celebrated as a protest against oppression or if It was simply foolish destruction of property. In response a displeased Lord North convinced Parliament to pass the Coercive acts, which closed Boston Harbor until the tea had been paid for, and retract the charter of the colony of Massachusetts. Ultimately, the Americans tried to go against any Idea that the British had on raising taxes; because the act was a disadvantage for the Americans and an advantage for the Brutish. Additionally, the Stamp Act enacted by Parliament In 1 765, which Britain attempted to collect revenue for a new colonial army; required that revenue stamps be placed on most printed paper In the colonies, including all legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, and advertisements.The the first time the colonists were required to pay a direct tax rather than paying an indirect tax on an imported good. Greenville claimed that this act was fair, as it showed that the colonists were contributing their share of the burden of the war. Benjamin Franklin, who was in Britain as the agent of the Pennsylvania assembly, proposed the idea that American representation in Parliament. If you chose to tax us, give us members in your Legislature, and let us be one people (CTD Franklin in Henrietta 143).The colonist argued that we already had virtual representation in Parliament, that we were represented by members who were transatlantic merchants and West Indian sugar planters. Greenville moved forward with his plan to raise revenue and to assert a constitutional principle the right of Parliament to lay an internal Tax upon the Colonies. Greensville plan would provoke a constitutional confrontation not only on the specific issues of taxation, Jury trials, and military quartering, but also on the general question of representative self-government.Through all the obstacles the Americans went through, they still had to pay taxes. Furthermore, both the Boston Tea Party and the Stamp Act Congress came about due to many tax laws p assed and repealed by the British government and the protests against them. In these two events there were positive and negative effects. The Boston Tea Party had a positive effect on the Americans after the tea party, because they gained independence from Britain. But after that, the British continued to enforce new laws; thats the only negative aspect after the Boston Tea Party.As far as the Stamp Act Congress, for the first time, against all odds, respected delegates from differing colonies sat with each other and engaged in spirited debate. They discovered that in many ways they had more in common than they originally had thought. This was a tentative but essential step toward the unity that would be necessary to declare boldly their independence from mother England. The negative effect of the Stamp Act was that the British troops in America were paid off but everyone was broke, because the stamp served as revenue to keep British troops inAmerica. In closing, the statement, It is inseparably essential to the freedom a People, and the undoubted Right of Englishmen, that no taxes be imposed on them, but with their own Consent, given personally, or by their representatives demonstrated the American support by the Boston Tea Party and the Stamp Act Congress. (Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress, 1765) The relationship between the two, were that the British wanted all the goods to be imported and then taxed the Americans on those goods.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
King Kong (1933) An Analysis Essay Example
King Kong (1933): An Analysis Paper The black-and-white version of King Kong, made in 1933, is a typical Hollywood film. All aspects of the film have trademark Hollywood elements in them. The following passages will see an explication of this assertion. In many ways this is a ground-breaking film. It set a precedent for all the subsequent thriller/horror/animation films that have been made in Hollywood. It would not be an exaggeration to state that in all subsequent movies of these genres, traces of King Kong could be found. Not many people today would be excited at the prospect of viewing this 1933 edition. The reason being, they have already seen aspects of King Kong in many movies that the novelty completely escapes the mind. Is this a judgement on the true merit of the film? The answer is in the negative. The only proper way in evaluating the technical and artistic merits of the film is by taking into consideration the prevailing technologies available at the time of production. In this case, King Kong should be placed in the context of the available technologies of 1930s. For example, Willis Oââ¬â¢Brienââ¬â¢s stop-motion animation was a remarkable achievement at the time. So is the skilful performance of the lea ding lady Fay Wray (Stringer, p.409). We will write a custom essay sample on King Kong (1933): An Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on King Kong (1933): An Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on King Kong (1933): An Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The animation work of Willis Oââ¬â¢Brien received special appreciation. Eight years earlier, Oââ¬â¢Brien had worked as Special Effects Animator in the film adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyleââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"The Lost Worldâ⬠. Given that the Hollywood in 1925 was in a stage of technological nascence, adds merit to Oââ¬â¢Brienââ¬â¢s work. Although King Kong is rightfully regarded as a ground-breaking film, it did follow a trend of films that involved monstrous beasts. Some such movies leading up to King Kong would be ââ¬Å"Jazz Monkeyâ⬠, ââ¬Å"Changâ⬠, Monkey Stuffâ⬠, ââ¬Å"Prohibition Monkeyâ⬠, and of course ââ¬Å"The last worldâ⬠. All these movies except the last one expanded on the ââ¬Å"Apes in Junglesâ⬠theme. The Last World depicted prehistoric life of dinosaurs. Some critics point out that King Kong has semblances to the classic fable ââ¬Å"Beauty and the Beastâ⬠(McGowan-Hartmann, 2006). The realistic portrayal of an ape-like monster can be attributed to the film-makersââ¬â¢ backgrounds. Both Merian Cooperââ¬â¢s and Ernest Schoedsackââ¬â¢s previous work experiences included documenting apes in their natural habitat. The transition from factual documentary making to adventure-horror-fantasy must have been challenging for both these men. In hindsight, their success in overcoming these inundated challenges had contributed immensely to the film industry world-wide. The screenplay by James Creelman and Ruth Rose was full of brilliance as well (Vaz, p.73). The RKO Studio, which produced the film in 1933, was in a tight corner financially. So the budget for King Kong was kept to the bare minimum. Due to some foresight, planning and efficient use of available resources, the film-makers were able to produce this masterpiece. For example, the shooting was scheduled in such a way that the benign climatic conditions of spring and summer seasons could be used for maximum advantage. When constrained by the low budget, Merian Cooper and Edgar Wallace decided to re-use the set built for the making of ââ¬Å"The Most Dangerous Gameâ⬠the previous year. By the way, ââ¬Å"The Most Dangerous Gameâ⬠was itself a big success. But King Kong managed to out-score this movie in financial returns (Vaz, p.73). The one aspect of King Kong that saw much innovation was its cinematography. For example, rear projection, dummy miniature models of characters, and other cameral tricks that were adopted during the making of this film were to become standard procedures in the film industry. In spite of such revolutionary innovations, King Kong did not receive even a single Academy Award nomination. The category where it would have swept all prizes was ââ¬Å"Special Effectsâ⬠. Since there was no separate ââ¬Å"Special Effectsâ⬠department during the 1930s, this coveted recognition evaded King Kong. Also, the constant depiction of violence in the film and the popular acclaim that it received might have swayed the decision of members of the Academy (Stringer, p.409). In the movie, the character named Denham (who plays a notorious film-maker) fails to find a star actress to accept the role of the leading lady. His offers were declined because of the unconventional nature of the script ââ¬â it seemed no one wanted to risk their careers. This situation was testing Denhamââ¬â¢s patience and balance. At this juncture, his eyes catch the sight of a poor and miserable young woman in one of the New York streets. Unkempt she might have been, but her underlying beauty was unmistakable. He decides then and there that she (played by Fay Wray) would be the leading lady in his film. He convinces the young woman that this is a rare and lucrative opportunity to achieve popular recognition and fame. The young woman complies. There are many a classic Hollywood thematic elements in this section of the narrative ââ¬â ââ¬Å"a chance encounterâ⬠, ââ¬Å"journey from obscurity to fameâ⬠, ââ¬Å"rags to richesâ⬠, ââ¬Å"the American Dr eamâ⬠, etc. (Grover, 2005). Exploring further, more classic thematic pieces could be uncovered. For example, when First Mate Driscoll meets Ann (Fay Wray) in the deck, he develops empathy for her. This could be deciphered as a variation on ââ¬Å"Damsel in Distressâ⬠scenario. First Mate Driscoll, a hard and tough shipman, mellows in the presence of a vulnerable and insecure woman (McGowan-Hartmann, 2006). This scenario too is played out in numerous other Hollywood productions. Damon Young sees the romance in the film from a different perspective: ââ¬Å"The theme of domesticating femininity as that which tames and undoes the male subject through the force of its visual desirability is central to the filmââ¬â¢s narrative economyâ⬠¦.Insofar as Kong functions as a surrogate for the masculine ego unconstrained by civilization, the film stages the feminine power of desirability as a threat: Kong is destroyed by his love for Ann.â⬠(Young, Damon) The director maintains an element of suspense and mystery during the adventurous voyage to an island, whose inhabitants are not known to the outside world. First of all, Denham, on whose orders the ship is run, does not disclose any information regarding their destination when the ship leaves shore. He finally decides to brief his crew members of their impending exotic experience. Even at that point there were more questions than answers. The crew only had a vague conception of their enterprise. The director is not just keeping his crew members in a state of uncertainty and anxiety, but also the audience (Grover, 2005). Movies in the horror genre exploit this aspect of human psychology very well. This is a time-tested technique used in narrative arts of all types ââ¬â novels, plays, movies, etc., to keep the audience hooked to the narrative. Again, this is classic Hollywood. The narrative technique, which was very effective in arousing audience interest found varied expr ession in Alfred Hitchcock movies decades later (McGowan-Hartmann, 2006). The second half of the film is a showcase of visual innovations. The scene where King Kong would mount the Empire State building with his lady love in hand was masterfully crafted. Here, the giant beast takes on an array of fighter planes. The use of miniature models in arriving at a real-life visual effect was so perfect that it would escape our notice (Stringer, p.409) The movie has come to define Hollywood productions because it leaves room for various interpretations. This quality is manifest in all classic works of art and King Kong is no exception. The film can be classified under numerous genres. It is a romantic, adventure, horror, science-fiction, political film. The last adjective is quite interesting, because this particular description is not striking or obvious. It is political to the extent that it depicts American imperialist tendencies through the treatment meted out to the native tribes of the island. It is also political in that the movie making attitude displayed by Denham is purely capitalist ââ¬â ruthlessly commercial and thereby inhumane. This inhumane subjugation is imposed on his own crew members and the native tribes. In many ways Denhamââ¬â¢s character was so typical of the Studio bosses of the 1930s and 1940s. Since Capitalism and Imperialism are both inherent qualities of all Hollywood productions, we can c onclude that King Kong typifies the Classic Hollywood production. (Stringer, p.410)
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