The Language of Flowers in Art History - Article Example

The language of flowers ‘Sight’ in human beings would be understood differently as in often times, the superficial appearance of things does not hold to the full interpretation that rationality in human beings derives from such an object. An article ‘The language of flowers’ is written and used distinctively to drive this point through the analogy of a flower and the meanings that arise from them. The author argues that whatever comes to sight in human beings determines the knowledge relating to different objects while at the same giving interpretation explaining the state of mind. This is shown through the analogy of the flower in that human beings go beyond the general sight of a flower and the understanding that it s merely a distinct part of a plant to provoke higher thinking where the flower then produces a deeper meaning. Accordingly, the author shows that despite the general appearance of the floral parts, which include the petals, and the reproductive parts such as the pistil triggers higher thinking and has a symbolic interpretation even if it is not explainable by language. This article therefore has the main theme in explaining the visual perceptions that explains the human interpretations of images and the relation to real life (Anon, 10-14). Traditions in human society have accorded meaning and associations of flowers to real life features. For instance, the article portrays how the dandelion flower is used to show expansion, narcissus flower shows egoism while the wormwood has been in use to portray bitterness within human societies. This therefore shows that the mere observation of a flower sends particular signals to human brains where such a flower like the emblem signifies desire and columbine sadness though no universalities of such perceptions is established through research. In fact, man has been shown to attribute emotions towards flowers and this therefore has the direct effect of influencing the interpretations that are accorded towards various species of flowers. For instance, one would wonder how and why the rose flower would be attributed to emotions of love as against other types of flowers. This would only be understood through understanding the roles that symbols are accorded through the psychoanalytic explanations. Subjectivity in understanding the phenomenon would also provide a viable explanation in the case of ‘flower language’. In such then, it would be erroneous for one to replace the ‘word’ by ‘appearance’ in philosophical analysis as words provides a platform through which relative analysis would be possible unlike the imposition of subjectivity as would be associated with appearance. In this explanation, the author juxtaposes the interpretation of appearance in a flower with the meaning where love, as illustrated through a flower is only shown by the flora as against by the entire flower. The use of the flower in comparing the essence of visual perceptions and the application of the appearance in philosophical interpretation of phenomena has been shown to be very effective. The author just uses this language of ‘flower’ to convey the message of the abstract nature of human minds in understanding. In fact, by contrast, the philosopher would compare the use of flower and the meanings associated with it with other parts of a plant such as the foliage and the roots. Although flowers often appear beautiful and lively for short periods, the message conveyed is very abstract as against the other parts like the leaves. The flowers would be beautiful shortly and then wither away while such parts like the leaves would stay relatively longer and does not change form quite first. This understanding on the symbolic meaning that flowers convey as is revealed in ten articles is instrumental in understanding the influence of imagery in the daily living of human beings. Despite the direct interpretation of images as they appear, the external form often carries a distinct meaning and is often applied by philosophers. Human beings often perceive the meaning of objects and images from the external appearance, which is not always as is in reality. This excerpt therefore presents an analogy that would be very relevant in real life where superficial meanings of objects does not necessarily emanate from their functionality. We therefore understand that symbolic meanings from objects aids in communication even without a word. The creation of such meanings would be traced from traditional features as well as modernized meanings, as they exist today. This explains why philosophers often use imagery in interpretation and understanding of phenomena instead of relying only on word. Good example in this would be the use of rose flower to convey impression and emotions associated with love. The laugh of the Medusa Tradition and modernism conflict in most ideologies especially in relation to written works of literature such as in poems, novellas as well as mythical stories. In analyzing, the subject Cixous uses an analogy of the human body and how, over ages there have been disparities in the manner that people perceive the two genders (females and males). In a particular attention, the author reveals the inequality that has been propagated through the literature within many social set-ups in the inferiority of women as against their male counterparts. The writer uses this excerpt to illustrate the power through which women would change the social perceptions that have been concerning. After reading the article, women have the will power to choose on the course to pursue in either standing for their rightful position in the society or otherwise propagate the same ideology as has been over years. According to the article, women have been trapped over years in their bodies through languages that control them against expressing themselves though they can use the body to communicate to the world. The ‘The Laugh of the Medusa’ presents a literary work that exhorts feminine modes used in writing as depicted figuratively in the article by Cixous (875-893). It espouses on the importance of acknowledging the nature of bisexuality as well as according the female body the illusions used within the work. The illusion used in the text is in plain language referring to women and how they ought to write ‘themselves’ in a manner likely to help them communicate to the external world especially of their value, as against allowing the traditions shape ‘their’ meaning. The main theme in the text is on social change especially in the perceptions towards gender roles and representation. Although, the textual structure and background is based in the French society, universality in the interpretation of the text assists the reader to rationalize the text. A woman is empowered to speak out and have her rights expressed distinctly thus revealing the perspective of the text to act as an empowerment piece to women. Though using the indirect representation of the real world in the choice of words and context, the text successfully achieves the intended effect that Cixous Helen. The literature depicts a time when the liberation of women would be observed through liberty of expression within the society. The author uses language as a tool of communication and shows that the use of language in a particular manner has the capacity of producing a particular reality while using a different language produces a different reality too. The language is therefore used in the piece of literature rhetorically where it presents a means through which women would strategically participate in the public scene. Through language, Cixous shows that women would write in their own manner for a difference. The writer therefore succeeds in persuading women to get involved in writing as a means through which they would speak themselves out in the society. She therefore effectively differentiates the masculine writings and the feminine ones and through an inviting and inclusive manner, she is able to encourage women to write. The body is viewed in imagery as a source of knowledge though she does not explicitly use the female body as an automatic feature of feminine writing but rather as a privileged point from which feminine writings would be perceived. The strategic feature of use of female body in the writing by Cixous is very instrumental in the field of literature today especially as a tool applied in communicating hidden messages. In contrast to the masculine writing, the feminine writing would be effectively used to point out on social injustices that are often meted on women within the society. Besides, the literature would be used to champion change where women would be empowered through feminine writing to champion own direction and status in the society. Besides, this article reveals how adopting of the female writings has the capacity to revolutionize the entire field of literature through bringing about new literal perceptions on feminine figures. The author indirectly encourages women to engage actively in written forms of literature as effective tools for voicing concern and for won liberation. This would be good for the change that is inevitable in social circles where over generations; women have been portrayed as inferior or unequal to men in one way or another. It is however to be noted that the author chooses to use hidden tools of literature for the piece in order to perpetuate the effectiveness of using the tool of literature for empowerment. The comparison used in some instances within the piece depicts higher levels in literature competence by the author. Works cited Anonymous, “The language of flowers” nd. Print Cixous Helen, “The laugh of the Medusa” JSTOR, 1976, 1(4) 875-893 Read More