Visual Arts and Film Studies - Essay Example

with courtesy 29 June Visual Arts andFilm Studies 1. Compare the North/South conflict as it appears in both the Octoroon and Shenandoah. The North/South conflict which took place before and during the Civil War was fuelled mostly by the issue in saving the Union – a group formed by states which favoured abolishing slavery. Southern states – mostly relying in cottons for their income – predicated on legalizing slavery due to the incremented necessity for larger workforce. Eleven states seceded from the United States which caused drastic and even fatalistic upshots in the eventual events of the two separated territories. The North/South conflict in The Octoroon elaborated on the consequence of the secession of southern states, particularly Louisiana, from the United States. It gave rise to the prohibition from marriage of Whites and Octoroons or those which bears 1/8 black heritage. The segregation between Whites and those with black heritage were presented so critical in the play. In Shenandoah, marriage or romantic relationship was not emphasized. The North/South conflict was introduced as it is. Conflict of interest due to the regional associations of the character which complicated issues relating to personal engagements. In the latter, the political facet of the North/South conflict was stressed. [Student’s Last Name] 2 2. From the late 19th century to early 20th century, there were significant changes in the entertainment as a business. What were those changes and how do they reflect what we see in the entertainment today? In the later part of the 19th century, the United States developed home entertainment, theatrical shows and folk music and dances as observed and eventually copied from different countries like Ireland, Canada and Germany. The entertainment industry in the United States focused more on consolidating different types of culture into one state aiming for a centralized entertainment that would attract more audience around the globe. Immigration surged and many foreign artist were recruited for different theatrical and musical productions which contributed a lot to the entertainment industry of the US. In 1880, years after the Civil War and the widespread emancipation of Blacks, a great variety of performers and artists flocked into one. As we can see today, Blacks are given equal opportunity. Also, more and more foreign artists are immigrating to the US to pursue career in music. 3. How were the immigrant/ethnic acts in vaudeville different from the other entertainments we’ve studied that featured people who were different from the “normal” citizen? In principle, foreign citizens or immigrants or both essentially had their individual upbringing. Since they have grown up with the kind of culture which is customary and prevalent in their mother nations, it would most likely be reflected on their entertainment style, whether it is in music, dance, comedy, magic or any other type of artistic skill. [Student’s Last Name] 3 In 1880, years after the American Civil War, the United States started to embrace variety in entertainment. There was a mixture in the entertainment industry with different races and colour transpired into the performances of many immigrant performers. The acts in vaudeville of immigrants differ from the normal citizen largely because of cultural variations and customary influence which until now is still apparent just like musicals which play in Broadway that depict some of the old English love stories and events. PART II 1. Compare the character of the American people as it is exhibited in The Octoroon with the character as seen through Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. What changed and what remained the same? How do they compare with our attitudes about similar issues today? More than just the recurring scenes featuring cowboys, shooting and horses, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West highlighted the kind of life there was in the west or the so-called American West. The character of American people as exhibited in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West was more elaborated by the hostile scenes oftentimes observed in many Western cities where outlaws and law enforcers meets in street-attitude confrontations which demonstrates American attitude of being assertive and choleric in behaviour. Even until today, this type of character is common among American, especially in asserting their rights and privileges, eventually manifesting it through activism. Wild West likewise portrayed loyalty, bravery, and freedom. Going back to the American history, African-Americans also known as Blacks were enslaved for so many years by the Whites. Subsequently, they were emancipated after the election of Abraham Lincoln. Since them, Americans, most especially Blacks, place more importance for freedom the reason why most of them are inclined towards conservatism and the Republican Party. Most of the themes described in many of Wild West’s plays showed how loyalty one of the strong characters that Americans possess. The most enveloping and rife bequest that Buffalo Bill’s Wild West performances has always been the descriptive concept and visualization of romantic love and downfall which penetrated all known global borders. In the Octoroon, much of the scenes were focused on subtle segregation. In other words, while there was no direct law that separated Blacks from the Whites, it was implicitly realized by prohibiting them from living together. Mulattos, Quadroons, and Octoroons were restricted from marrying Whites or even anyone who at the least carries the smallest Black heritage. Seen this way, a clear indication of liberalism is seen entailing racial segregation, prejudice and racial discrimination. This character symbolizes some of American people’s character of having the tendency to conform to democratic ideas. Further, there was even a reversal in the former events that took place during the Civil War. Southerners before were more racially debasing when they chose not to abolish slavery in their territories. Soon after the Northern states became more industrialized, it had completely turned the tide. Southerners are criticized as white trash, hillbilly, redneck, et al. These American behaviours still exist today. Some Americans are liberal and some are conservative. Some are discriminatory and some are accepting. But no matter what American characters are, we can concede that it all play together to form the greatest nation in the world: the United States of America. References Warren, Louis. Buffalo Bill's America: William Cody and the Wild West Show. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Read More