Utilizing Newspaper Advertisem essays

Utilizing Newspaper Advertisem essays The 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s are often considered three of the most controversial, radical, and progressive decades in American history. Many politically, socially, and economically vital events took place during these eras that forever transformed America and its citizens. However, while domestic and global catastrophes such as the Great Depression and World War II enabled certain minorities, such as women, to achieve limited social progresses (temporarily increasing their number in the work force and higher wages), it also provided an opportunity for the society to reinforce traditional perceptions of women. One medium in which this notion is clearly exhibited is in newspaper advertisements. After systematically analyzing several newspaper advertisements from the nationally distributed newspaper, the Saturday Evening Post, from three different decades, separated from one another by exactly ten years starting with 1925, the pitch and language used in these advertisements seemed t o support the idea that despite the historical events that occurred during these time periods, mainstream advertisements consistently reinforced Americas conservative belief that a proper womans place was still in the home taking care of her children and performing domestic tasks. The 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties, produced an era of prosperity and well being as the result of the second industrial revolution in manufacturing. Yet, contrary to this popular depiction, Americas increased wealth during this time was not equally distributed among its people: Amid prosperity and progress, there were large pockets of the country that lagged behind. Advances in real income and improvements in the standard of living for workers and farmers were uneven at best. During the 1920s one-quarter of all American workers were employed in agriculture, yet the farm sector failed to share in the general prosperity (...

The Tragic Love Story of Cybele and Attis

The Tragic Love Story of Cybele and Attis Cybele and Attis is the story of the Phrygian great mother goddess Cybeles tragic love for the mortal Attis. It is also a story of self-mutilation and regeneration. When Cybele- one of Zeus would-be lovers- rejected him, Zeus wouldnt take no for an answer. While his victim slept, the great philanderer spilled his seed on her. ( In due course, Cybele gave birth to Agdistis, a hermaphroditic demon so strong and wild that the other gods feared him. In their terror, they cut off his male sexual organ. From its blood sprang an almond tree. This castration/birth connection is also seen in one version of the story of the birth of Aphrodite. Attis Is Born to Nana The river Sangarius had a daughter named Nana who ate the fruit of this almond tree. When, as a result of her snack, Nana delivered a boy child 9 months later, Nana exposed the child. This was an ancient method of dealing with unwanted children that usually led to death, but did not in the case of such important figures as Romulus and Remus, Paris, and Oedipus. Infant death was not to be his fate, however. Instead, reared by the proverbial area shepherds, the boy soon became healthy and handsome- so handsome his grandmother Cybele fell in love with him. The First Violets The boy, whose name was Attis, was unaware of the love Cybele bore him. In time, Attis saw the king of Pessinus beautiful daughter, fell in love, and wished to marry her. The goddess Cybele became insanely jealous and drove Attis mad as revenge. Running crazy through the mountains, Attis stopped at the foot of a pine tree. There Attis castrated and killed himself. From Attis blood sprang the first violets. The tree took care of Attis spirit. Attis flesh would have decayed had not Zeus stepped in to assist Cybele in his resurrection. The Ritual of Attis Since then, a yearly ritual has been performed to purify the body of the dead Attis. The priests- referred to as Galli or Galilee- are emasculated in emulation of Attis. A pine tree is chopped down, covered with violets and carried to the shrine of Cybele on Mt. Dindymus. There Attis is mourned for 3 days. Then, when Cybele brings him back to life, there is a wild and joyful celebration.