Semiotics of Clothes in Postcolonial Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-215
Author(s):  
Somaye Sharify ◽  
Nasser Maleki
Keyword(s):  
Fairy Tales ◽  
Postcolonial Literature ◽  
Cultural Transformation ◽  
Cultural Identities ◽  
Female Immigrant ◽  
Cultural Displacement ◽  
Romance Fiction ◽  
Dress Codes ◽  
The Way

AbstractThe present study intends to examine the link between clothes and cultural identities in Jhumpa Lahiri’s “Hema and Kaushik” (2008). It will argue that Lahiri explores her protagonists’ cultural displacement through their items of clothing. We want to suggest that the protagonists’ clothes are employed in each narrative as signifiers for the characters’ cultural identities. The study will further show that each item of clothing could be loaded with the ideological signification of two separate cultures. In other words, it aims to demonstrate how ideology imposes its values, beliefs, and consequently its dominance through the dress codes each defines for its subjects. Moreover, it intends to suggest that the link between clothing and identity is most visible and intense in the case of female immigrant characters rather than men. Drawing on Luptan’s structure of the Cinderella line, we will explore Lahiri’s protagonists’ cultural transformation from simple ethnic girls to stylish American ladies through their items of clothing. The study will conclude that the “Cinderella line” does not work in Lahiri’s realistic stories the way it does in fairy tales and romance fiction.

Recreating Experience in Nigerian Fiction: Camillus Ukah’s Sweet Things and the Politics of its Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Awuzie
Keyword(s):  
Postcolonial Literature ◽  
Third Generation ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Creative Activity ◽  
Nigerian Literature ◽  
The Way

This article contends that, in the same way as some postcolonial literature, the latter third generation Nigerian literature is a product of the writer’s experience. When the writer does not reproduce his sociopolitical experience, he reshapes his expectations into literature. The writer manipulates his experience into creative activity that fulfils his innate desire – this is the same desire which he is ordinarily unable to achieve in reality. This article argues further that even though the literature is a product of the writer’s experience, it is harmless and beneficent. Using Camillus Ukah’s Sweet Things as a representative text of the fiction produced by a latter third generation Nigerian literature writer, emphasis is made on the way in which Camillus Ukah has recreated his experience. It concludes that through the novel, Ukah expresses his bitterness towards a certain matrimonial experience that is of his particular concern.

The Light of the Flame

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Bintsi
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Identities ◽  
Social Differentiation ◽  
Social Discourse ◽  
Oral Literature ◽  
Greek Language ◽  
Orthodox Christian ◽  
Modern Greek ◽  
Greek Society ◽  
The World ◽  
The Way

This chapter presents a study of light, in particular light produced by flame, by investigating the most representative lighting devices used in preindustrial Greece. The symbolism of lighting devices in traditional Greek society, used either out of necessity or in ritual ceremonies and customs as well as in representations in art and in social discourse, is examined to reveal aspects of that society, its common beliefs, and its social differentiation. The oral literature, the myths and sayings still in use in Greek language, are studied as cognitive instruments, as forms of thought, to understand the way people interpret the world and act within it. Finally, the oil lamp, and its ceremonial use in Modern Greek society, which is closely connected to the Orthodox Christian rituals, is interpreted as a symbol that represents national and cultural identities.

scholarly journals Leadership B. S. – Jeffrey Pfeffer and leadership industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-154
Author(s):  
Leonardo Vils ◽  
Gustavo Viegas Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Fairy Tales ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Confirmation Bias ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
The Way

“Developing leadership” is a constant search for professionals interested on acting in a more assertively in the organizations they perform their roles. Leadership BS is another endeavor by Jeffrey Pfeffer that makes us think over the tenets which the leadership industry, as the author refers to it, imposes to us daily. In a work based on the urgent need to incorporate evidence to a practice that could cause financial damage and other harmful consequences to the society, Pfeffer easily succeed on demonstrating why, for instance, some behaviors which are assumed as role models are nothing but fairy tales that only exist on classrooms and courses which efficacy is doubtful – if efficacy is understood as educating better leaders. The author challenges his readers to rethink the way they act, by understanding how psychological processes such as confirmation bias and self-deceiving reshape the wished format of leadership, which is taught, but nor practiced.

scholarly journals Losing Sight, Gaining Insight: Blindness and the Romantic Vision in Grimm’s “Rapunzel”

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Anna Wing Bo TSO
Keyword(s):  
Fairy Tales ◽  
Symbolic Meaning ◽  
Gaining Insight ◽  
The Way

In Brothers’ Grimm’s fairy tales, the motif of blindness occurs quite frequently, each time with a different symbolic meaning. In “Hansel and Gretel”, blindness is represented as a body deformity, an abject feature of the red-eyed, half-blind cannibalistic witch who lives in the candy house in the middle of the forest, while in “Cinderella”, blindness becomes more: a brutal punishment for wrongdoings, such as when: the wickedly unkind stepsisters’ eyes are pecked out by pigeons as they are on the way to the wedding of the Cinderella and her handsome prince. Yet, in “Rapunzel”, blindness is not meant to be an abject feature nor a direct punishment. Rather, it opens the door to the Romantic vision and spirit. Through studying the earlier versions of the Rapunzel story and the Grimm’s later version, this paper explores how blindness represents the limitations of logic and reason and, through embracing the beautiful power of the female sensibility, welcomes the rebirth of insight, faith and Romantic sentiments.

scholarly journals Editorial: Deciphering the Double Code of Sustainable Multilingualism

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. i-x
Author(s):  
Béatrice Boufoy-Bastick
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Cultural Identities ◽  
Minority Languages ◽  
Conference Paper ◽  
Lingua Franca ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Future ◽  
Linguistic Human Rights ◽  
Language Needs ◽  
The Way

SummaryThe eight-year span in the life of our journal is the time ripe for the in-depth analysis of its development, the results that have been achieved and the prospects that could be projected for the future. Such analysis appears to be even more meaningful in view of the journal’s recent acceptance to Scopus database which opens the way to broader promotion of its scholarship in the matters of multilingualism, plurilingualism, linguistic human rights, language needs, cultural identities and other disputes. Thus, the Editorial of the 16th issue sets out to decipher the double code of ‘sustainable multilingualism’ encrypted in the tile of the journal and the concept itself: from maintaining cultural identities to the global lingua franca, threatening minority languages, from the first steps of the concept in a conference paper of 2004 to the multifaceted approaches elaborated through the topics, research constructs and research interests in the articles published over different epochs of the journal. The Editorial is rounded up by recommendations that will enhance and ensure the further growth of Sustainable Multilingualism.

scholarly journals LANGUAGE CONSTITUENTS OF THE CONCEPT ‘WAY’ IN IRISH FAIRY TALES

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 20-29
Author(s):  
A. A. Zaraiskiy ◽  
O. L. Morova ◽  
V. Yu. Polyakova
Keyword(s):  
Information Content ◽  
Fairy Tales ◽  
Movement Trajectory ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
The Road ◽  
The Core ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Field Information ◽  
New Space ◽  
The Way

The aim of this article is to explore linguistic representation of the concept “way” in Irish fairy tales. Image, key lexeme, which is the core of the field, information content with its cognitive attributes and interpretation field, which is the periphery of the concept are elaborated. The results obtained show that the “way” in its direct and indirect meanings is the image and the key lexeme is “path”. It has been established that information content has seven cognitive attributes: exploration of new space, aim, distance, adventure, difficulties, destiny, and travel to afterlife world. Interpretation field includes two groups of proverbs with the first group presenting the “way” in its direct meaning and the second group comprising proverbs with the metaphorical usage of the “way”. Modelling the frame of the concept “way” allowed us to define the typical slots: subject of movement; the starting point of movement; trajectory; the environment of movement and the method of movement; locus; distance; driving power; and motivation. The concept “way” was structured using linguistic and cognitive approach, which made it possible to determine the image, information content and interpretation field. The study of the image of the concept revealed that “way” encompasses different aspects. The “way” is the basis of a person’s life. The “way” is considered not only as the road the person walks along covering big distances but as life in general that is associated with its ups and downs as well as with overcoming difficulties along the way. The idea emphasizes the importance of the “way” in people’s lives and culture, and specifically in Irish culture.

scholarly journals A Contrastive Study of Anaphora in English and Chinese

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Simo Jia
Keyword(s):  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Fairy Tales ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
English Text ◽  
Real Situation ◽  
Contrastive Study ◽  
Oxford Dictionary ◽  
Chinese Texts ◽  
The Way

Recently, there has been growing interest in the study on cohesion of texts, particularly in the aspect of anaphoric reference. The problem under discussion is within the scope of similar and different usages of anaphors in English and Chinese. Although much work has been done, more studies need to be conducted to ascertain the convincingness of the theories. This essay will demonstrate language materials in real situation in English text and its Chinese translations to prove, explain and enrich the theories about the distinction of English and Chinese anaphora. The thesis for this essay is the contrastive study of anaphora between English and Chinese texts that is the dissimilarities of anaphora in these two language texts and discuss the reasons that caused these differences. And for arguments, four cases of Han’s Andersen’s fairy tales and their Chinese translations and one example from New Oxford Dictionary are selected for the purpose. For methodology, quality analysis is employed. But in general, it is to compare and to contrast in the light of Halliday’s theory on cohesion. The way adopted is to compare broad wise, which means to list similarities and dissimilarities of things needed to be contrast -- anaphora in English and Chinese texts, and then conducts further analysis on them with the theoretical framework. In aspect of detailed analysis, the author adopts the way of illustration, combining language phenomenon listed above with arguments.

scholarly journals Senior citizens’ clothing in a “youthing” polish society. The perspective of elderly women and men

2020 ◽  
pp. 45-65
Author(s):  
Emilia Kramkowska
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Dress Codes ◽  
Polish Society ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Way

The way the modern-day senior citizens dress may be determined by their functioning in a “youthing” society, together with the legacy of the Polish People’s Republic and the dress codes prevailing at that time. This article provides an analysis of the abovementioned issue in a gender context, as the described age-ordering of clothes in this text concerns women and men differently. The analysis was based on a diagnostic survey, conducted among people over sixty years old, who gave their opinions on their own and their peers’ dress sense. The responses given suggest that the trends characteristic for a “youthing” society contribute to rejuvenating the way Polish senior citizens dress. According to them, the elderly dress fashionably, tastefully and colorfully – which was stated more often by the women than the men. The survey results also confirm that the dress codes relevant to PPR times are deeply rooted in the seniors’ minds. This was reflected more often in men’s opinions than in women’s. The preliminary results presented in this article indicate that the way elderly people in Poland dress is beginning to be reshaped. The results require greater depth, and this could be facilitated through the use of qualitative techniques that might complement the collected material.

scholarly journals THE FEMINIST HUNGARIAN FOLKTALE AS POSTMODERN COMBINATORICS – THE ANALYSIS OF CSENGE VIRÁG ZALKA'S STORY-BOOK TITLED RIBIZLI A VILÁG VÉGÉN [CURRANT AT THE END OF THE WORLD]

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
PATRIK BAKA
Keyword(s):  
Fairy Tales ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Literary Creation ◽  
Traditional Form ◽  
The World ◽  
End Of The World ◽  
Story Writer ◽  
The Way

In this paper we analyze the first story-book of the internationally renowned contemporary Hungarian storyteller, Csenge Virág Zalka. In the first section we investigate the differences between folktale and literary tale, storyteller and story writer, further-/retold heritage and own creation as well as how the boundaries between them destabilize if we note down the folktale originally living in the oral traditional form. Furthermore, we will be discussing the female horizon prevalent in the Zalkaian tale-variants as well as the all-time topicality of the stories by putting the contemporary social and psychological analogies and taboo-breaking procedures of the tales in the foreground. In the focus of our investigation the Ribizli a világ végén [Currant at the End of the World] stands as a literary creation, which although we (also) analyze with an approach coming from the relevant literature of folktales and remade fairy tales, we do this all the way through the analysis in light of the postmodern text-organizing strategies.

scholarly journals Conservative Islam Turn or Popular Islam? an Analysis of the Film Ayat-ayat Cinta

2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-128
Author(s):  
Lukman Hakim
Keyword(s):  
Popular Culture ◽  
Cultural Studies ◽  
Film Industry ◽  
Cultural Transformation ◽  
Market Forces ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Religious Context ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Way

This paper offers a film and cultural studies analysis of the Indonesian religious film Ayat-ayat Cinta. It examines the way in which the film represents Islam in the context of the globalisation of the media industry, the wider cultural transformation and religious context in Indonesia. This paper argues that the film Ayat-ayat Cinta represents “popular Islam”, which resulted from the interaction between the santri religious variants and the film industry, capitalism, market forces and popular culture in Indonesia. Santri religious variants in this film are rooted in traditionalist, fundamentalist, modernist, and liberal Islam in Indonesia, and those Islamic groups which have undergone a process of conformity with capitalism and popular culture. As a result, the representation of Islam in this film is pluralist, tolerant, and fashionable.

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