If I told you that Tracy Turnblad from Hairspray was similar to Moses from the bible, would you think that was even remotely true? The movie Hairspray and the Bible have many similarities, they’re actually almost identical. There are obviously differences between the two eras considering segregation and equality, but the similarities between the two overcome the differences by quite a bit. The bible was a time period in which people didn’t even truly understand equality. They would treat people awfully just because of their race, religion, and gender. For example, women were not allowed have their own jobs or own property without a man. These people in this time needed someone or something to come save them, and this was Moses. The slaves in
Egypt were lead out of slavery by Moses, the prophet. He saved them from living the rest of their lives without seeing even a glimpse of equality. Moses changed their lives for them even though it was frowned upon. The bottom line is that he knew that it was right and that’s why he did it. Hairspray, as anyone could imagine, is easier for us to relate to. The “Corny Collins Show” was a television program in the movie. It was a dancing show in which only skinny whites were allowed to dance on, all until Tracy Turnblad got a part on the show. Tracy has a crazy idea that all dancers should be able to dance together. Seems like a simple request, but at her time, it was absolutely absurd. Tracy protested for equality just as Moses did. She risked her whole career for something that didn’t even concern her. She didn’t care about staying relevant, she just wanted to do what was right. Just as Moses. They wanted to do what was right, and, not caring what anyone else thought, they achieved their goals, or goal for equality. The Bible and Hairspray are two different stories, with two different people, but they were both striving for the same goal. The story of Moses leading the slaves away from slavery is on a higher scale of segregation in dancing, but at the end of the day, everyone having the same opportunity to achieve whatever they want is what we strive for as a nation, and that’s what these two heros did.
Moses was a major character in the fact that he was the reason his son, Adam, became the man that he had become. “If just once in all my born days you’d say a good thing to me” (Fast 3), Moses stated. Moses wanted Adam to be raised the way that Moses was raised and respect it. Adam did not like how strict his father was to him and did not want to be raised like he was. “Maybe it’s time I just went and did something without my father”
Mott states that since God is a loving God; why is there slavery and the “crushing of woman’s powers, the assumption of authority over her”? (pg 43) We are losing a sense of humanity based on what the bible says. In Mott’s last sentence “we see them going out satisfied with their forms and devotions, taking comparatively little interest in the great subject of truth and humanity.” (pg 44); she wants us to be aware that we aren’t looking at the bigger picture. Humanity is treating everyone equally with kindness, sympathy and mercy. If God is all loving and perfection, he would want everyone to be treated equally because he accepts us for who we
The similarities are prolific in their presence in certain parts of the novel, the very context of both stories shows similarities, both are dealing with an oppressed factor that is set free by an outsider who teaches and challenges the system in which the oppressed are caught.
Hairspray, a John Waters’ musical, demonstrates progressive messages about the expansion of race-based civil rights in the 1960s . Although this is typically the lens through which Hairspray is viewed, this is not the only significant societal shift portrayed in the film. The stories of Edna Turnblad and Velma Von Tussle illustrate the progressive shift of women from “old” gender roles such as being excluded from the workplace to “new” gender roles where women begin taking managerial positions.
Charles Ball’s Fifty Years in Chains and Harriet Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl were both published in the early 1860’s while Kate Drumgoold’s A Slave Girl’s Story came almost forty years later I believe there were things overshadowing Charles’ attention. While the man does give credit to a supreme being, his relation to the Christian culture comes from his encounters to which he documents in great detail with fellow slaves. As previously stated, I believe the significance of the slave’s ability to maintain reverence for the religion they practiced provided insight into what gave them hope. The story of Exodus is linked to many slave narratives and it was no different for these three Slave-owners looked upon the African Americans as lesser people who were in desperate need of support.
Slave-owners forced a perverse form of Christianity, one that condoned slavery, upon slaves. According to this false Christianity the enslavement of “black Africans is justified because they are the descendants of Ham, one of Noah's sons; in one Biblical story, Noah cursed Ham's descendants to be slaves” (Tolson 272). Slavery was further validated by the numerous examples of it within the bible. It was reasoned that these examples were confirmation that God condoned slavery. Douglass’s master...
What could make a comedy film better? Combine it with a musical that will have you singing along with it. I have decided to look at the 2007 movie “Hairspray”. This is a light hearted film that is loved by all ages. While most see this movie as a comedy/musical the film can also add campy to its genre list. This movie address several different social issues while making the audience laugh and sing along with it. The main social issue at hand in this movie is that one of racism. This movie also touches on gender roles with John Travolta playing a woman, as well as being judged by personal appearances. The main character, Tracy Turnblad is at the center of all these issues.
At that time the Pharaoh ordered all male children born to the Hebrew slaves were to be drowned in order to slow the growth of the Hebrew people. Moses’s mother hid him for three months but couldn’t hide him any longer. His mother put him in a basket almost like a little ark and placed him in the river where Pharaoh's daughter bathed. The Pharaoh’s
God establishes an I-Thou relationship with Moses through their narrative during the scene at the burning bush. Anderson writes, “we cannot know God personally unless God chooses to speak through inspired words and act through liberating power (Anderson, 32).” God revealed himself to Moses to deliver his people from Egypt. God’s personal name, Yahweh, means, “I will be,” or, “to be” in a covenant or a relationship. This reminds us that God does not dwell on the past; He is always looking forward into the future. I think this is a key point in understanding Moses’ importance in the biblical narrative. I think God uses Moses as an instrument to tie the slavery in Egypt to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. I also think God uses Moses to bring people closer to Him and to help them restore their faithfulness in the covenant. This is a perfect example of how God uses scripture to talk to Christians
The theater has continued to make an impact on American culture even today. Just like in the 20th century, civil rights has been a hot topic in the 21st century. Multiple shows, including Hairspray and Caroline, or Change, clearly display the effects of racism and the importance of the civil rights movement. Hairspray follows the story of a young Tracy Turnblad who is fighting to desegregate the Corny Collins Show. The musical celebrates black culture and displays healthy relationships between whites and blacks. U.S.A. Today wrote that, “with a message about accepting ourselves and each other while celebrating and embracing our diversity, this Hairspray felt more relevant,” showing that even young audience members can find the story relatable
This reading is about slavery in the bible, when the people of Israel were held in Egypt by pharaoh. In the Old Testament, God chooses Moses to lead his people out of slavery. He sent Moses to Egypt to warn pharaoh to release his people or he will smite his first born dead. In the bible when pharaoh refused to listen, God reacted by killing every first born in Egypt. As a result, pharaoh decided to release his slaves and “Let my people go” as the last line suggested. As we know, black slavery ended when people started fighting back for their freedom. Even though some people died in the process, the fight for freedom was accomplished.
... people. It also shows the dependence of people on God. Moses was a man of courage who sought to see the face of the God. He received the laws of the lord and made sacrifices for them when they sinned. Moses acted as a mediator between Yahweh and his people (Woolfe).
Determined to relieve the hardship of his countrymen, Moses killed an Egyptian he caught beating an Israelite and buried the body to cover up his crime. Coming across two Israelites fighting, Moses decided to impose his position as a son of Pharaoh’s daughter to bring peace between people he viewed as family. However, at least one of the men viewed Moses as just another Egyptian imposing his will over a slave asking “who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian” (Exodus 2:14, ESV)?
In fact, God provided them similar missions for His kingdom. Moses was the first Hebrew prophet to lead the children of Israel. Being humble and doubtful of his ability to lead, God still chose Moses to lead the Children of Israel of bondage. (Ex 3) Though Moses would often doubt God’s commandments, the Lord would always reassured Moses to go and carry out His commands. (Ex 6:1-12)
In his short story, “The Prophet’s Hair,” Salman Rushdie make use of magic realism, symbolization and situational irony to comment on class, religion, and the fragility of human life. The story is brimming with ironic outcomes that add to the lighthearted and slightly fantastic tone. Rushdie’s use of the genre magic realism capitalizes on the absurdity of each situation but makes the events relevant to readers’ lives. In addition, the irony in the story serves as a way to further deepen Rushdie’s commentary on class and religion. Finally, his use of symbolization focuses on the concept of glass, and just how easily it can be broken.