The Role of Dolls in Everyday Life - Essay Example

Everyday Life and Doll Definition of life, Life .when I deeply ponder upon this four letters , automatically the words, Lively Impressive Festoonic Enmasse seeps through my mind. Life in general is defined by different people in different way underlined by different purposes they hold dear. Life when approached technically is an multi-faceted concept. When we try to explain the concept of life biologically, it refers to an never ending process of which human being can be considered as part ,the perioud that they span between thei birth and death. Philosophically life as is for persons who just idly sit by fireplace and look on and also for people who believes that life is to be lived. It is for also for the persons who strives to keep the curiosity alive , life holds a lot for them. (Wikipedia’s definition ) (1) (Mathew dood, 2002) (2) (Percy Walker,2000) (3) Thus after have defined life, its notion or characteristics can be described in order of functionality as the , grasp of reality ,added with Absorbance of the experience that come across it, To this which the scientific knowledge that is searched upon is incorporated , Followed by the rationale thinking that serves the final shot . (Wikipedia) (4) In earlier centuries when human being started evolving, survival issue was dominant. But as time progressed they started to dominate world and slowly started to appreciate world, nature and life. Now in 21st century , life is fast paced ,with extreme stashes of wealth ,knowledge, desire, genuineness, technological advantages encompassed in them. So for the man kind to run with freshness and zeal, as an antidote to the common place boredom and tiring routines needs a change or novelty. This novelty or freshness, which became the much sought for entity was provided in the form of art, museum, photography, dolls collection, etc. These, which were thought to be perused as hobbies psychologically provided the needed relaxation for the mankind. The torque that was fully wound by the tensions and routines in life was unwound magically by these hobbies. Among them dolls play a very important and wide spread roll in human life, starting from his childhood to old age. In childhood dolls acts as the best companion, which as the person grows becomes the cherished, show off possession an prestigious collection. (Jean Nordquist, 1995) (5) Definition of dolls: Doll can be defined as child’s small toy or small scale figure that has likeness to human beings or animal. The doll is thought to be the humankind’s oldest toy. The very reason for which the dolls came into existence , can be imagined effectively: As a tool that was needed by children to share their feelings ,when they lack their same age peer group. The way for children to imbibe and imitiate the adult world that they wonder upon Or as an way to show the excellence in craftsmanship,representing the society and culture of that age. Dolls like civilization of mankind has a long , interesting history to be followed. Infact the everyday life of mankind can be traced with the changes in looks, style and purpose of making of dolls. It can be taken as a mirror that in different time reflects the nature of that society. Dolls used different countries were different, based upon that country’s culture and customs and habits. they were made using wide range of material as ,heads being made of wood, terra-cotta, alabaster, and wax, while the bodies made of carved wood or leather stuffed with sawdust. Later glazed porcelain ,unglazed bisque (ceramic) ,clay, wax, molded plastic and paper mesh were also used to add new dimension. Generally it is undeniable fact that most folks would remember a special doll or teddy bear from childhood that brought them great joy and comforts during tough times. (Cross, G ,1997) (6) History of dolls From time immemorial dolls have been created in different parts of world for different meaning. For some, it may be embodiment of spirit, or an object with magical power where as for some it may be mere play thing. Over time dolls have grown out of the nest of mere child’s play mate to an entity that is appreciated and displayed for the work of fine art. As far as researchers could trace back, dolls have been a part of human minds imagination. They have survived through lean periods sometime as votive figures some time as toys or as collectibles thus surviving the fashion trends through years, satisfying all those who cherished them and still cherish them. History books reveal that the word doll would have come from French or Latin word. Antiquity tells us dolls in the beginning where part of Greek and Roman life’s. There were evidences of dolls being found in Egyptian temples and children’s grave. Earlier the doll started as a stick or a clump of straw or a branch shaped knife stuffed with fabrics and hand painted. These were the results of imagination of little girls to find the companion she dreamt of. The Egyptian graves dates back to 2000 BC, so these dolls were usually flat piece of wood painted with various designes and hair made of clay. Some unique dolls were made of ivory wood or bone or wax. The main goal was to achieve life like as possible so creation of dolls with movable limbs and removal garments came into existence from 600 BC. Following the ear of ancient dolls Europe became a major hub for doll productions. These were usually wood dolls later by 1800 paper dolls came into existence. By 17th and 18th century wax doll became very popular, its main center of production being Germany and England. By the turn of 19th century porcelain became the craze of the time. The porcelain toys birth place was China which was followed by Germany, France and Denmark. By 1880 French “Bebe Dolls” became very popular as it was unique representing a young girl while most dolls of that time represented adult. Later by 1900 German bisque doll became very popular. It was a character doll created by Kammer and Rainhardt. Far centuries Rag dolls were made by mother for children. But it was commercially made in England and America by 1850. After World War II plastic dolls came into existence other materials that become popular after 1950 and 1960 are vinyl, ubber and foam. But still any dolls with older materials are also found. (Kline, 1998) (7) In nutshell the dolls can be described based on the origin from different countries, that adequately represent their histories are African Dolls – Popularly called as Ndevele doll, where not play dolls but object loaded with ritual and religious belief was introduced by the South African tribe that became a important part of marriage. Barbie Doll – The America’s proud prodigy invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler for her daughter Barbara was introduced world wide for teenage girls. Bratz Doll – That became a hit after the Barbie that has famous huge head and nice clothes. Chinese Dolls – Paper dolls called betsy. French Dolls – Bebe and bisque. Russia - Popular nesting dolls Mexican Dolls – Ceramic lupita dolls with colorful Mexican painting. Japanese Dolls – Daruma, Hakata and Kokeshi dolls. Indian– Wooden dolls with ethnic dresses. Once the discussion about Barbie arises the word Glocalization automatically comes into our mind. Glocalization is a new term combined by combining global and local which are regarded as 2sides of the same coin. This is a condition that arises when local forces constantly strive to attenuate the impact of global process. This was better explained by Rogers who accounts the construction of Barbie doll as icon as an collectors item and sees it as a glocalization of the corporate Mattel Inc. The Barbie doll can be looked upon as concept that has spread its roots down in history, with many thing as intellectual property rights and other things being introduced to otherwise down to earth doll industry. Barbie doll concept can be applauded as an clever innovation, with 100 different Barbie dolls are made with basically, 3 different hair style, life style and glamour, which are taken care by the accessories provided. This Barbie which was earlier a product of American local market has grew in unexpected dimension as a single icon of Pre teenage and teenage girls, creating a picture that Barbie is everywhere and is forever. (Rogers,1998) (8) Role of dolls in everyday life: Thus after seeing the history and widespread nature of dolls it becomes important to know about the role of dolls in everyday life. The role playing for instance is a word that can aptly sit with dolls only in a child’s world. For instant Children usually play role playing with their dolls as father, mother, baby, teacher, doctor, etc which is a common scene in every house. But psychologists say it has a far reaching meaning, it’s the way by which kid learns and relates to the process of socialization culture world and adult life. Various researches have been done and various points have been reemphasized. (Bloch, . & Pelligrini, ,1989) (9) The nature of the kids that play with dolls is universally found to be same. The child’s creativity and imagination is found to increase regardless of their economical situation and the nature of the toys. Schwartzman argues that child who doesn’t have a readymade toy and private space are still more creative as the use any object in the environment as stone, wood, can, seed as toy supporting both imaginative and physical play. (Garborino, 1989) (10) (Schwartzman,1986) (11) Children’s cognitive skills as symbolism, problem solving, roll playing and creativity and their social advances as - friendship, social competence, emotional maturity arefound to be kindled as a result of playing with zeal. (Farver, 1993). (12) More researches support the point that learning for young children occurs primarily by observation and interaction with highly skilled members of culture. Thus doll playing when adult becomes as parent her partner child enters the next level of playing. (Bornstein, 1989). (13) For little girls every day action of dressing, feeding and hair setting of a doll is a perfect occasion to prepare as a role of mother. Similarly boys try to step into father roles as they too play with the dolls they too maintain a distance when children play with the dolls they dominate, they learn the talent of leadership and when they see their doll as their equal they tend to oversee the barriers and treat other humans with brotherhood. (Goncu. & Mosier,1991). (14) An interesting research done with soft teddy toys and aggressive toys ( Power rangers and Pokemon ) children of same age groups show that the toys with aggressive nature induced aggressiveness in kids. Where as the kids who played with soft dolls never shows that characters. (Hughes,. 1999) (15) Conclusion : Thus dolls are no longer play things. For me doll is a small representation of human being or a fantasy character that carries soul with it. Thus doll is no longer a art form also as always it can touch some one’s heart and provoke passionate or violent reactions. Dolls will exist as long as childhood’s innocence exists…………….. Bibliography 1. Wikipedia’s definition of life. 2. Matthew Dodd ,2002 . The common man, Society newstatesman . 3. Percy, Walker. Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2000. pp. 109-112. 4. Wikipedia free encyclopedia,life. 5. Jean Nordquist, 1995. What is a Doll? How long have we had this love affair with Dolls? Pearls of Wisdom. 6. Cross, G. (1997) Kids' Stuff: Toys and the Changing World of American Childhood, Cambridge: Harvard University Press 7. Official website of Dolls & Doll Houses from the Lee-Fendall House Papier-Mâché and Composition doll Design by par M.C. Dupont  (Montréal, P.Q., Canada) 8. Rogers, M. (1998) Barbie Culture, London: Sage 9. Bloch, M. N. & Pelligrini, A. D. (1989). Ways of looking at children, context, and play. In M. N. Bloch & A. D. Pellegrini (Eds.). The ecological context of children's play. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation. 10. Garborino, J. (1989). An ecological perspective on the role of play in child development. In M. N. Bloch & A. D. Pellegrini (Eds.). The ecological context of children's play. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation consequences. New York: Guildford 11. Schwartzman, H. B. (1986). A cross-cultural perspective on child-structured play activities and materials. In A. W. Gottfried & C. C. Brown (Eds). Play interactions. The contribution of play materials and parental involvement to children's development. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath and Company 12. Farver, J. (1993). Cultural differences in scaffolding pretend play: A comparison of American and Mexican mother-child and sibling-child pairs. In K. MacDonald, (Ed.), Parent-child play: Descriptions and implications. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. 13. Bornstein, M. H. (1989). Between caretakers and their young: Two modes of interaction and their consequences for cognitive growth. In M.H. Bornstein and J. S. Bruner (Eds.), Interaction in human development. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. 14. Goncu, A. & Mosier, C. (1991). Cultural variations in the play of toddlers. Presented at the Society for Research in Child Development, Seattle, WA. 15. Hughes, F. P. (1999). Children, play, and development. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Read More