Katherine Raycraft Humanities 101 Mrs. Langille 3/28/18 “Rhinoceros” On March 2nd, the Jerome Mirza Theatre on the Illinois Wesleyan campus put on a production of the play “Rhinoceros” by the French playwright, Eugène Ionesco. The play was written in 1959 and has stayed popular ever since. The pieces genre is an absurdist drama/comedy, and it does not use a narrator as the storyteller. The play explores themes and subject matters relating to the topics of mob mentality, morality, and conformity, causing many viewers to see it as a response to the increase in fascism and Nazism that occurred before World War II. While writing “Rhinoceros”, Ionesco used many symbols and a philosophical yet absurdly comic tone as he shared his anxieties about the growing harsh, tyrannical and undemocratic behaviors of society. While watching “Rhinoceros”, I noticed that it had a …show more content…
rather large cast and it used many visual effects. The costumes and set design were colorful at the beginning, though, as the play progressed, they got darker, similar to the progression of the plot. The setting of the play was in a modern day small town in France. The structure was made up of three acts, and the artistic form was a group of live actors on stage. The narrative shows the four central characters, Berenger (the main character and protagonist), Jean, Daisy, and Dudard, all having to deal with the overwhelming concept of people in their society transforming into rhinoceroses (Martin, 176). The production covers subject matters ranging from conformity to mob mentality.
These topics help share the play’s content of criticizing the actions of the Nazis and understanding the mindset of people who conceded to fascism and Nazism. Ionesco used the rhinoceroses as a symbol, which is a recognizable figure that stands for something abstract, to show societies ability to turn hostile and violent (Martin, 194). At the beginning of the play, the townspeople were startled when they saw the first rhinoceros rampaging in the streets, but as more people transformed, the metamorphosis began to be seen as a natural and somewhat beautiful process, despite the violence and savagery that went along with it. By using the rhinoceros as a symbol, Ionesco shares how society allows themself to conform to the majority without considering the outcomes. This play really grasped my attention, as it covered topics that I have discussed many times at school, but have never seen in a play or musical. I had very sustained attention throughout the entire production, allowing me to have great participation with it (Martin,
20). The Illinois Wesleyan University production of “Rhinoceros” demonstrated Ionesco’s philosophical and absurdly comic tone very well. The show used multiple different themes and symbols to criticize Nazis, dig deeper into the mindset of people who capitulated to fascism and Nazism, and to express the playwright’s anxieties about the awful and undemocratic behaviors of society before World War II. “Rhinoceros” is considered to be Ionesco’s best play, and had also been recognized as one of the great masterpieces of the Theatre of the Absurd. Works Cited Martin, F. David, and Lee A. Jacobus. The humanities through the arts. McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.
Eight Men Speak by Oscar Ryan et al presents a variety of epic devices employed throughout its composition. We see “the essential truth in every word of these six acts”(Foreword 5) come to life in this thought provoking presentation of didactic literature. Through the use of Epic Drama we see the effects of our corrupt government as it is brought into perspective using the epic devices of using the audience as active participants, using narration rather than action , and political engagement. These epic devices play a key role in portraying the didactic message of the play. The play causes the reader not only to be a present member of the audience, but to have presence of mind as well; to not only hear what the characters are saying, but to take initiative if they wish to see change.
In Sara Gruen’s novel Water for Elephants, the theme of love being a driving force in the characters’ decision making is displayed through the use of characterization and conflict throughout the novel. Jacob’s love for Marlena causes him to make unexpected and often foolish decisions. When Jacob suddenly kissed Marlena, her reaction caused him to realize “‘[he] shouldn’t have done that,’” (Gruen, 2006, p. 153). Jacob was unable to conceal his love for Marlena, which, in turn, caused him to suddenly kiss her. Jacob’s character is extremely love driven, which is demonstrated by his romantic outbursts. Without thinking of the results, Jacob decided to keep Rosie because of his love for her. When Jacob told Marlena they were keeping Rosie, his reasoning was “‘I love that bull.
First of all, strong insight is perhaps given into the Viennese high society, who were "devoted to order, mannered charm and the grandiloquent facades on the `Ringstrasse' "³ by the reaction of the audiences alone to the play and its characters. Both shocked and embarrassed the Viennese bourgeoisie with its "uncompromising representation of the Viennese world"². Schnitzler's writing of the play and his inclusion of these common, gritty characters coupled with the reaction of this part of Viennese society represents the "test of wills... [sic] between well-behaved traditionalism and liberated modernism"³ emerging in Vienna at this time.
Whales living in captivity become aggravated and have been known to take out anger on themselves by self harming. In the pools they live in, metal bars are placed in between the pools to prevent the killer whales from swimming to another pool. On several occurrences, the whales have attempted to bite and break the metal bars. This leaves the whales with broken teeth and a risk of infection. Infections in killer whales can lead to death in many cases. If a whale gets an infection, they have to be taken out of the pool and placed into another pool by themselves to prevent any problems with other killer whales they live with. In many cases, whales with infections need serious care from whale specialists.
The American elk, is truly one of the most majestic and beautiful creatures of the Rocky Mountains. With a scientific name of Cervus canadensis, the Elk represent the Rocky Mountains of North America. Elk, used to thrive in natural communities through much of the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe all the way through most of the other continents. (Sensemen 2014) Extensive hunting and accidental destruction of their natural habitats have taken a great portion of their range away from them. Today, populations in North America are mostly found in the Rockies stretching from Canada to New Mexico. Elk happened to be reintroduced into the eastern United States, including Michigan, with three efforts throughout the 1900's. (Sensemen 2014) Elk usually range in color from brown in win¬ter to tan in sum¬mer. The back and sides are lighter color than the rest of their body. Much larger than the average deer, they are known for their prized antlers throughout the United States.(Sensemen 2014) Males can reach weights of up to 700 LBS, While females or cows can grow as large as 500 LBS.(RMEF 2012) Males Antlers, which are extremely prized and are a reason for their constant hunting, are actually quite complex and interesting. Antlers grow in the spring and are shed each winter, the antlers are testosterone driven, and antlers are covered by velvet while growing to protect them from harm. The average lifespan of Elk are typically hard to estimate due to their reclusiveness from humans, and the constant hunting of them. Some experts agree that the typical lifespan usually ranges from 20-26 years.(Sensemen 2014) What we do know however, are that calves are typically born in late May through early June, are born spotted and scentless as camouf...
.... An investigation into the imbalance of power in the play reveals the ideologies of race and gender that drive the power dynamics of the play. The construction of the inferior nature of non-European characters is firmly grounded in imperialist, European and patriarchal values.
Animal spirits are a product of irrational behavior and are a major driving force in the economy. Intuitive then is the notion that animal spirits are also heavily involved in the process of economic boom and bust cycles. This much is straightforward and in reality seems to be the case. Animal spirits, which were initially defined by John Maynard Keynes, characterizes a variety of exogenous variables that could not be accounted for in the mainstream rational economic theories of the time. This definition was later reclassified by Akerlof and Shiller in their title book and provided some of the mechanics behind seemingly irrational behaviors. Akerlof and Shiller described and highlighted five specific features of animal spirits that affect the
Cats and dogs are fun to play with and fun to be around. However, some people go for snakes, birds, or rodents; most people usually prefer a four-legged animal like a cat or dog. Dogs and cats share seldom similarities, but they 're totally different. They have different attitudes, habits, and needs. Wanting love, loyalty, and protection, a dog is a choice. Cats, on the other hand, don 't need attention nor love. Sometimes do we take advantage of our animals because of their size and vulnerability? Beating, improper care, and use of fighting, causes harm to our furry pets. Inflicting pain and making our animals suffer is atrocious. Because our animals can 't speak for themselves, we need to speak for them and stop animal abuse.
In a more extreme version of the play, directed by Baz Lurhmann, some of the weapons such as swords were replaced by modern day guns, but despite this he still managed to keep it all in context by cleverly placing words, or using other satire. With this paper I hope to produce my own unique version of the play.
The ideas of the Modern Condition are clearly represented by the thinkers studied through out the course, as their writings reveal the true themes and concepts that have shaped and continue to affect society. Kushner’s play seems to embody these concepts and show how they manifest in the modern times, and what issues are still plaguing society. His characters take on the role of conveying, and in some cases embodying, the ideas of these thinkers: Nietzsche, Borges, and DeBeauvior. In this way, Kushner’s play can be said to be a product of the Modern Condition due to its representation and application of the ideas that have shaped modern philosophy.
O’Neill, Eugene. “Memorandum on Masks” in O’Neill and His Plays. Oscar Cargill et. al. eds. NY: New York University Press, 1963.
Mammals are vertebrates and, unlike other animals, have 3 middle ear bones (the malleus, incus and stapes), have body hair and provide their young with the milk that females produce in mammary glands, which are modified sweat glands. They are endothermic and produce their body heat internally. Most species of mammals give birth to their living young while some, like the platypus, lay leathery, shelled eggs.
When the people in a small French town start to turn into rhinoceroses, something must be up. Well, this is exactly what happens in Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros. The Theatre of the Absurd, as the title suggests, has some absurd topics. Rhinoceros is no exception. Absurdist plays were very popular in the years following World War II and many playwrights were influenced by the changing times, as seen in Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros.
Eugene O’Neill is regarded as America’s greatest playwright, and also the only American to ever win a Nobel Prize for Literature. His plays were a wake up call for the nation and world alike, and he is credited with changing the way Americans viewed the theater. Before O’Neill, the American theater was viewed as childish and purely for entertainment, but O’Neill used his expressionist writing style to transform it into a strong social medium for change. One of O’Neill’s most eye-opening plays was The Hairy Ape, a play about a poor ship worker who is questioning his identity and searching for his place in society, but ultimately decides that he doesn’t fit in any social group. This play brought attention to the oppression and mistreatment of the working class by the wealthy upper class, and also the increasing deterioration of the worker caused by industrialization. The play received great reviews for its expressionistic themes, and help O’Neill’s already high reputation. O’Neill’s expressionistic writing style and use of poetic symbolism were responsible for the maturation of the American theater; therefore, earning him the title of “America’s greatest playwright” and a leaving a permanent mark in the history of its theater.
In our world today we have approximately 26,021 endangered species. Endangered species are organisms that may possible become extinct. The term 'endangered species' refers to all species that fits this description. However some conservation biologists and scientists normally use the term ‘endangered species’ to refer to species that are put on the IUCN(International Union for Conservation of Nature)Red List. Many factors can be looked at when considering the conservation status of a species. Factors such as human threats or environmental threats can cause a species to become endangered.