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Clothes and society
Clothing and personal image essay
Clothes and society
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Restricted codes and Elaborate codes create sub categories of linguistic codes. Restricted codes are used in informal situations with simple syntax while Elaborate Code is used in formal situations with complex syntax. There are also non-verbal codes we use to communicate our social identities, namely the way we walk, our clothes, modes of travelling and or domestic settings. Different cultures have inexplicit ‘codes of looking’ and can only be understood by a member of the same cultural group. Gender, age and hierarchy in society are some major factors that shape such codes.
Codes of looking, lead to or influence the creation of identity. Repetition and internalisation of conventions, roles, language and attitude gradually create ‘the self’.
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“The id represents basic biological needs and experiences neurotic anxiety”. The superego experiences moral and social anxieties as it represents internalised principles (Germishuys [Sa]:6).
According to Germishuys ([Sa]:4-5), the construct of fictional characters’ styling design is similar to the cognitive-socio psychology of a non-fictional character. The id, ego, superego , Self and Psych of a non-fictional character are automatically developed by its environment and personal goals but in a fictional character, the development is scripted and constructed. There is a clear goal outlined for the character and anxiety is “…acquired through implication” (Germishuys [Sa]:5).
The effect of appearance on self-consciousness and the “need for external recognition” develops from childhood and evolves through the person’s life. Clothes for example are an essential part of one’s sense of self. Humans use objects to create persona to control anxiety. The anxiety stems from the desire to create certain impressions of oneself and is driven by the principle of opposites to hide one’s shortcomings (Germishuys
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I will do a comparative study and textual study to compare the character Kwezi to characters from Marvel and DC such as Spider-Man, Super-Man and Ironman. By comparing Kwezi to famous American superheroes, I will analyse to what extent the character has been influenced by the ‘West’.
Methods of Data Collection
By using works by scholars who have analysed superheroes and using the theories and concepts explained in the previous chapter, I will be able to analyse the encoding of Kwezi and the comic. Secondary sources such as existing publications, earlier research and articles in the media will be used to guide the analyses.
Kwezi (Mkize [sa]) is a relatively new comic with only 3 issues published (one is available for free online while the other two are available to buy as hard copy). The only text about the comic is sourced from blogs, articles and interviews with the creator Loyiso Mkize. The comic is about a teenage superhero, Kwezi living in a Johannesburg-like city named Gold City. Each issue continues from the previous issue’s ending following the journey of the young character as he makes sense of his new powers (Mkize
From society to family to media, external influences never seem to disappear from everyday life. These outward forces tend to leave a lasting impression on us for as long as we live. Because they are so prevalent in our daily lives, exterior factors will have a significant influence on us, specifically our sense of self and happiness. When defining our sense of self, it eventually comes down to how we interpret our individual self-image. In most cases, we do not truly know who we are from our own mindset. Therefore, we take into account the reactions that those around us have an influence on our actions and decisions. From these external effects, we create the persona of who we are. In his article, Immune to Reality, Daniel Gilbert explains
Alexie, Sherman. "Superman and Me." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 1998. Web. 14 May 2014. http://articles.latimes.com/1998/apr/19/books/bk-42979
To conclude, the graphic novel Watchmen presents the non-fantastic representation of a superhero, implying that not all heroes are like Superman. This notion is explored within the novel by mentioning the realistic motives of the characters choosing to become superheroes, by Rorschach’s representation and through the heroic reactions of the New Yorkers to a street crime. These elements all contribute to Watchmen’s uniqueness and complexity as a superhero comic.
Perceptions of the superhero and supervillain are mainly based on subjective definitions of each concept. These observations often lead to a definitive dichotomy that precisely splits characters into two impermeable divisions. However, this stringent separation is unable to account for the characters that are not at the extreme ends of their respective side. Neither is this rift capable of classifying characters that flirt with both sides of the superhero-supervillain dichotomy. Therefore it is imperative to analyze the established criteria for both superhero and supervillain to derive a more adequate explanation. Most superheroes are not easily characterized, but rather fall somewhere between Superman, the bastion of moral purity, and Doctor Doom, the display of indubitable corruption. This solicits genesis of an entirely new notion about the differences between superheroes and supervillains. A more precise idea is that superheroes and supervillains are lined on a spectrum that spans from pure good to pure evil. Disparities between superheroes and supervillains are not black and white, but rather these characters are on a spectrum that radically changes based on individual cases.
... based upon historic events, the protagonists portrayed here perpetuate the idea that man has always chosen for his super-heroes the qualities which he desires for himself: power, near-perfection, pride and loyalty. We celebrate theism as heroic qualities in the twentieth century. Will there ever be different qualities, qualities that might preserve a civilization longer than the civilizations that created these two brutal epics?
Through the stereotypes, it is examined how different characters have saved themselves from being a part of the stereotype or have become a victim to the stereotype. The essay explores the examples of both Americanized and those who maintain the culture publicly, as well as changes in comic book characters after traumatic events in American History, such as World War II and 9/11.
"The Roles of Stereotypes in Comic Books - Media Criticism." The Roles of Stereotypes in Comic Books - Media Criticism. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
Under the current capitalism society and material culture, people tend to form their identities through consumption, this means more than to consume products which are needed to survive, consumption can also link to self-identity formation and expression. People are imperceptibly influenced by the mass media that self-identity can be shaped and formed through consuming specific products. Therefore it can be said, fashion is an important element of identity formation. Young people are commonly feared of being seen as outdated and seek for acceptance from the peers and the society. According to Erikson’s theory of personal social and personal development adolescences and young adults see peers as a critical influence, acceptance of peers can lead to security of identity and self-esteem. This essay is going to examine how young people shape or form their identities through the consumption of fashion. Youths tend to shape their identity through different styles or ways of dressing, differentiate themselves from others and express their feeling or identity through fashion.
Comic books have been used as a source of entertainment for years. Comics create an opportunity for its readers to witness the storylines of fictional characters and to experience these characters through their hardships and triumphs. Relating to the story is a big part of a comic book’s success. Whether the main character is an alien or a superhero that can fly, the reader must feel connected and understand the protagonist’s personal struggles. Writers of these comic books usually use real world issues as inspiration to create these relatable story lines.
...o contextual influences and past experiences. Therefore it is almost impossible to pre-empt the ways in which others will perceive you. Over time ideas will change and therefore alter the ways in which we look back on past clothing choices. Whilst symbolism in fashion may no longer be subject to laws as it was in the 14th century or defined by strict social rules in the 17th century, the clothes we wear are still today subject to imposed social ideals. Apart from distinguishing one status group from another, a style of dress may also aid group cohesiveness, provide the individual with an identity and a feeling of belonging, and communicate the wearer’s attitudes and interests. The ways in which we interpret others and present ourselves for interpretation is the only true way that we can be individual. Symbolism in clothing may not seem as obvious or important nowadays as it was in times of extreme social bigotry, but it is still highly prevalent and has remained one of the most effective ways to project our desired image to those around us. ‘The state of a person’s clothes is synonymous with self respect and is a sign of responsibility’ (www. Pemberley.com/janeinfo/vebleis7.html)
The world, as of the 21st century, is increasingly becoming an interconnected, interrelated social place in which avoidance of human interaction is near impossible. From telephone calls to advertising billboards, communication is ubiquitous. Communication essentially refers to the generation and receiving of messages across a variety of contexts, channels, media, and cultures. This complex interaction is composed of both verbal and non-verbal interactions. Verbal language is defined as the use of sounds and language to communicate a message and thus accents, dialects, and languages all fall under this “verbal code.” Its counterpart, non-verbal language, is communication through a host of nonlinguistic methods, including physical appearance, kinesics, and olfactics.
Lee, Chris. A. Branagh Meets Comic-Book Hero. Newsweek 157.19 (2011): 59-60. EBSCO. Web. The Web.
Many comics that have been made a long time ago are still popular till this day. Through time many changes occurred with comics in different states around the world like Europe, Japan, and the USA. One huge change came in 1938 when ”superman” was created. Jer...
How does one create the “self”? How do we form as individuals? Whether a person is male or female, white or black, rich or poor, tall or short, pretty or ugly, fat or skinny, the most important factor is the development of the “self”. The self refers to the unique set of traits, behaviors, and attitudes that distinguishes one person from another (Newman 283). To distinguish between oneself from others, one must be able to recognize their unique traits and characteristics. One must be able to differentiate between one’s own physical appearance and another’s. There are many components such as gender, race, ethnicity, and social class, which shape and influence our values, beliefs, and impression of life. Understanding the difference between sex and gender allows one to grow into their own masculinity and femininity. Recognizing the history of one’s past in regard to their ethnic backgrounds and struggle will shape the development on one’s self. Having the luxury of money and power will affect the self and the way that one appreciates the value of the dollar or lack thereof. One of the most important factors may be one’s physical features which will eventually influence one’s self-confidence and affect the self as a whole. Once an individual has acknowledged the traits of their “self”, they’re in control of either maintaining their self, or changing their self to satisfy their standards.
The ego struggle to keep the id happy. The ego meets with obstacles in the world. It occasionally with objects that actually assists it in attaining it goals. The ego keeps a record of the obstacles and aides. It also keeps a record of punishments and rewards administered out by the two must influential objects in the world of a child, its mom and dad. This record of things to avoid and strategies to take becomes the superego. As stated earlier the primary function of the id is to satisfy its immediate instincts, drive and urges it superego that links the mind to society and reality. As Freud (1960) states \"superego is however, not simply a residue of the earliest choices of the id; it also represents an energetic reaction formation against those choices\" (p.24).