Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

Religious Interpretations in Waiting for Godot

Does the play warrant a religious reading? Can Godot be considered a Christ figure or simply a religious figure? If so, what is implied by his failure to appear? What about Estragon's attempts to equate himself with Christ? Consider also the many biblical allusions throughout the play, such as the mention of Cain and Abel and the discussion of the story of the two thieves.

Beckett's apparent wariness of religion (or perhaps because he wishes to make folly of it), the question of faith appears frequently in Waiting for Godot. Most obviously, the metaphor stems from the eternal waiting that the Christian faces in his belief that Christ will return but at an unknown time. The play first addresses this... Continue reading "Faith, Action, and Repetition in Waiting for Godot" »

Feminist Perspectives on Class and Power

Michelene Wandor discusses the limitations of non-socialist feminism:

“And because bourgeois feminism accepts the status quo (with a bit more power for women) it also—like radical feminism—has no interest in a class analysis, and certainly no interest whatsoever in socialism or the labour movement.”

Wandor contrasts this with the scope of socialist feminism:

“Socialist feminism ... proposes changes both in the position of women as women, and in the power relations of the very basis of society itself—its industrial production, and its political relations. Thus while radical and bourgeois feminism can account for certain kinds of reform change for women, only socialist feminism can offer an analysis

... Continue reading "Feminist Critique of Dramatic Structure and Theatrical Reception" »

Social Transformation

The social changes affected the nobility and the bourgeoisie. The old nobility lost its military function. The bourgeoisie was enriched by its work and was considered a useful group that unjustly lacked social recognition and political influence.

Enlightened society criticized the estate system. It questioned the nobility for enjoying privileges while not performing socially useful functions. It criticized the clergy because they were numerous and wealthy, which was seen as unproductive. Enlightenment thinkers advocated the creation of a new society based on social value and personal worth.

Cultural Transformations

Public education was fostered by the Enlightenment to avoid ignorance and to reduce ideological control by the... Continue reading "Enlightenment Social Change, Rococo and Neoclassical Art" »

Key Differences Between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

The major development was Impressionism's claim to a specificity of pictorial language, which placed painting on a plane totally different from the production of other images.

The Impact of Photography on Traditional Painting

It is important to remember that in those years, the birth of photography had made available a tool for the reproduction of reality that was totally natural. Photography records optical vision with a fidelity and speed that no painter could ever reach. Consequently, photography forcibly occupied the specific field for which painting was originally born: to reproduce reality. Competing with photography in terms of naturalism would be a losing and useless battle;... Continue reading "Impressionism vs Post-Impressionism: Artistic Evolution" »

Art Vocabulary

• Art dealer / Comerciant d'art
• Painting / Pintura
• Renaissance / Renaixença
• Exhibition / Exposició
• Postmodernism / Postmodernisme
• Sculptor / Escultor
• Masterpiece / Obra mestre
• Prehistoric / Prehistòric
• Surrealism / Surrealisme
• Canvas / Llenç
• Frame / Marc
• Portrait / Retrat
• Easel / Cavallet
• Landscape / Paisatge
• Two-dimensional / Bidimensional
• Bronze / Bronze
• Marble / Marbre
• Background / Fons
• Center of interest / Centre d'interès
• Composition / Composició
• Foreground / Primer pla
• Mood / Disposició
• Perspective / Perspectiva
• Technique / Tècnica

Relationships

• Acquaintance / Conegut
• Extrovert / Extrovertit
• Pal / Camarada
• Ally / Aliat
• Follower / Seguidor
• Participant / Participant
• Bystander / Espectador
• Introvert / Introvertit
• Party Animal / Juerguista
• Classmate /

... Continue reading "Vocabulary and Grammar in English: Art, Relationships, Science" »

Analysis of Claude Monet's *Impression, Sunrise*

Author: Oscar-Claude Monet

Technique and Handling of Paint

The colored spots appear as loose material, used to achieve subtle lighting effects. For example, the red outline representing the reflection of the sun and water is separated as the elements approach the viewer.

Composition

In the background, merchant ships are hinted at, but the thick morning fog prevents a clear view. A separate, intense red circle represents the sun. Approaching the observer, there are three rowing boats sailing in calm waters.

Style: The Birth of Impressionism

The emergence of photography upset the traditional conceptions of painting. Photography offered a technique capable of capturing reality with greater fidelity; all... Continue reading "Monet's *Impression, Sunrise*: Analysis of the Birth of Impressionism" »

Postmodernism in Literature

Defining Postmodernism

Postmodernism is widely discussed in contemporary culture. Umberto Eco suggests that it represents an acceptance of the new and striking elements of modern society. Postmodernism is intricately linked to modernism, as outlined below:

• It can be seen as a continuation or expansion of modernist techniques.
• It also represents a break from modernism, rejecting the elitism often associated with it.
• Postmodern elements can be identified in earlier texts, suggesting that postmodernism offers a new way of rereading history and literature.

Brian McHale, in his book Postmodernist Fiction (1987, page 5), states: "postmodernism follows from modernism, in some sense, more than it follows after modernism."

Key Features

... Continue reading "Postmodernism in Literature: Key Characteristics and Authors" »

Heineken and Moritz: Communication Mix

This section details the diverse communication strategies employed by Moritz and Heineken to engage their audiences.

Moritz's Communication Strategy

• Sports Events Sponsorship: Active participation in sports events in Barcelona (football, athletics, cycling) through sponsorship.
• Cultural Platforms & Fairs: Links with cultural platforms and musical events, including sponsored public relations actions at trade fairs.
• Trade Fair Assistance: Providing assistance at trade fairs, such as food tasting events in Barcelona, serving as a public relations tool.
• Website: Utilized as a non-conventional, below-the-line advertising tool.
• Street & Car Animation: Unconventional, below-the-line advertising through street

... Continue reading "Beer Brand Marketing Strategies: Heineken & Moritz Communications" »

Screenplay Fundamentals

A Screenplay is a document containing the planning of a film, from the start of filming until its completion in post-production (editing room). It is generally divided into two parts:

Types of Screenplays

• Literary Screenplay: A literary narrative detailing the actions seen on screen, the characters' dialogues, and specifying the time and space of the action.
• Technical Screenplay: The technical planning of the film, written with detailed instructions regarding what is seen and heard (the action and sound).

Literary Screenplay Structure

Scene

An action that occurs in the same space and time, and involves the same characters.

Sequence

A narrative unit comprising a set of scenes, identified by its core content.

Parts of a Sequence:

... Continue reading "Fundamentals of Screenwriting and Cinematography Techniques" »

Characteristics of Formal Dialogue

• The subject to be treated is previously known.
• The interventions are performed following a particular order.
• Special care is taken with language: precise vocabulary, elaborate syntax, use of respectful formulas (you, sorry, etc.)

Formal Dialogue Structure

• Opening: Beginning the dialogue with a salutation and the presentation of the theme.
• Development: The core of the conversation.
• Farewell: End of the dialogue. Formulas are used for thanks and goodbye.

The Interview

• Introduction: We present the interviewee: name, profession, interest in the interview, etc.
• Development: The interviewer asks direct and clear questions. Respondent answers. From the first response, write one P or R.
• Closing: The interview ends with a closing

... Continue reading "Formal Dialogue, Interviews, and Grammar Essentials" »