Assignment 1-4-6: Written Analysis

Written Analysis: Assignment 1-4-6

Sambhav Khanal

HUMN240-E4WW (SU12)

Omar Alomari

21^st June, 2012

Now coming towards the end of the course, I somehow realized that it was a bit difficult to relate between different theories of popular culture with the topic that I have selected i.e. Tattoo and Piercing. In the duration of six weeks, some weeks were pretty easy to relate the topic of tattoo with the theories such as myths, stereotype and rituals while others theories of heroes and cult of celebrity, formula were a bit tough to make a relation. Among the theories that I personally felt a bit easier to relate, the best that fits in my topic was the theory of myths and stereotypes.

Talking about myths, myths about tattoos are those things which we hear about them but the real fact about such myths is that what we have heard may not be true every time.  There are lots of myths about tattoos. We hear so many things about tattoos which makes no sense at all. For instance, there is one common myth about tattoo that if you have your girlfriend/boyfriend’s name as a tattoo then it makes your relationship ruined. It is not true at all. The reality about that fact is that once you have the name of your loved ones as a tattoo then it will be forever and in case your relationship breaks out then it keeps you striking always in somewhat frustrating way. Besides, there is another myth about tattoo that while tattooing, light colored tattoo hurts more in comparison to the darker ones. The real fact behind this myth is that during tattooing, once the work of dark color is finished then only the light colors are used and it is obvious that once your skin is pierced by the needle for the process, it gets penetrated and raw before applying the lighter color and it hurts for sure. Thus, theory of myths seems like applying here.

Theory of stereotype also seems to apply to the topic of tattoo. There is one common stereotype thinking about tattoo that those people who have tattoo on their body are not well cultured or are basically punk type or ill-mannered. I strongly disagree to this point. Here, I am able to cite an example of my own brother. My elder brother has a dragon tattoo on his right shoulder and a mermaid on his back. The tattoo of mermaid is hardly exposed but his dragon tattoo gets exposed almost every time. Many people know that he has tattoo on his body but nobody thinks that he is a bad boy or ill-mannered because he is really a nice guy. He is sober, gentle and well behaved and talks to everyone nicely and is helpful at the same time.

As far as I am concerned, what I found out as an interesting finding from my analysis was thinking about how tattoos played into the theory of rituals. I really had to put a huge amount of concentration and hard work in order to make these two topics organized. Once I was able to figure it out, then only I understood how much tattoo has to do with rituals. Each and every tasks we do, be it our daily home routine or our professional life, it could be related to a form of ritual.   

Why I chose tattoo as my topic is because I really found out this topic quite interesting. Now that I have applied it to different theories that we read in class, I have a further detailed view on tattooing. I really like to deliberate about it from diverse aspects, the client, the artist, and the outside world’s sight. It is a comprehensive way of thinking rather than just, oh!  It’s pretty; I would like to have one!

Assignment 1-3-2

Journal Article Analysis- Journal Article Paper

Sambhav Khanal

HUMN240-E4WW (SU12)

Omar Alomari

June 17^th, 2012

In the article of Lisa Funnell, ‘‘I Know Where You Keep Your Gun’’: Daniel Craig as the Bond– Bond Girl Hybrid in Casino Royale, Lisa has explored the personality of James Bond in order to find out the alterations between the main character and the other actors who play the role of the secret agent, in precise, Daniel Craig (Funnell, 2011). Focused towards the die-hard followers of the James Bond authorization, both in the literature and in the film, she has made an attempt to separate the interpretation of Bond being played by Daniel Craig in the movie Casino Royale.

This article begins by exploring the James Bond’s films of the past, and deliberated at the artist who played this character every time and also how the actor has portrayed the character of Bond in the movie. Over the sequence of the Bond franchise, altogether six different actors have represented the role of 007 (The Boston Globe, n.d.). Among these actors were included Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton , and in recent times Daniel Craig. Each of these actors has brought their own ability, panache and elegance to the role, yet, not always for the best of role.

As far as the concern is about Daniel Craig, the James Bond’s character went back to his foundation when he first befitted the 007 agent. For those people who have actually read Ian Fleming’s books regarding Bond, the major encouragement behind all of the films, Bond was always known for his aggressiveness, unsophisticated, and full of sexual audacity (Fleming, 1953). In his role in the films, Craig has brought back the legendary version of Bond. In the article, Lisa points out the fact that although Daniel Craig preferred Fleming’s description of Bond, he has also roofed over into the new boundaries by generating in himself a bond-bond girl hybrid. Originally, this particular notion seemed a bit strange to me because Bond is of unique personality; in fact he is a man among a group of men. How could he signify the sex kitten that most of his films so frequently showcased?

After a thorough evaluation of her article for a few times and then after watching the film, only I was able to figure out her idea. Back in 2008, when I watched this movie in a theatre where there has hardly a couple of seats vacant. The action was so intense that there might have been very few movie lovers who have actually blinked their eyes while Bond was in action. However, there was a scene where Bond came out of the beach exposing his muscular physics covered by a scanty pair of swimsuits where almost all girls and even adult women cried out loud and shouted. At that particular time, I was left a bit frustrated because such parts of the Bond film used to be done usually by the bold, gorgeous, scantily clad female rather than Bond (Daniel Craig). But now, I am able to figure out the correct link, and as Lisa has pointed out, Bond had replaced the female bond girl in such scene which would normally be reserved for the female.

            With this role, setback comes a vibrant swing from the earlier classic roles of Bond to a recent  version which permits some sexual plotting, to be contained by the female influence in contrast to the Bond’s films of the past, referring especially to the male population. The hasty English humor is still remained in his character which allows us to bridge a link back to the previous style of Bond; nevertheless Craig was capable to reinvent the charm into the raw powerhouse. More aggressive and emotional than the previous characters of Bond, Craig is able to overcome some shortfalls of the previous versions of films and has turned them into the success in his Bond’s character’s re-invention.

This article plainly describes the fresh role of James Bond and ropes itself strongly through extensive history and the cross references. When I read it for the 3^rd time, then I finally began to realize the evaluation and came to approve with the author regarding her claim for new Bond-Bond girl hybrid. Undoubtedly focused towards the Bond spectators, Lisa stakes out her views and trusts on the audience’s familiarity of the past movies and the books. Her article on the particular analysis is really a one to be appreciated. The adequate number of references listed on the reference section shows how hard she has worked and also shows the amount of planning and researches she had done for the creation of this article. To sum up, this particular article is really a prodigious read and fascinating opinion of the franchise of James Bond.

References

Funnell, L. (2011). ‘‘I Know Where You Keep Your Gun’’: Daniel Craig as the Bond– Bond Girl Hybrid in Casino Royale. The Journal of Popular Culture, 44(3), 18. doi:10.1111/j.1540-5931.2011.00843.x

Want to know it (n.d.). Actors who have played Bond, Retrieved Jun 16, 2012, from http://wanttoknowit.com/actors-who-have-played-james-bond/

Fleming, I. (1953). Casino Royale. United Kingdom: Jonathan Cape.

Written Analysis 1-4-5

Written Analysis: Tattooing and Piercing-Concepts of Formula

Sambhav Khanal

HUMN240-E4WW (SU12)

Omar Alomari

June 17^th, 2012

Considering the fact of tattooing, it itself can be considered a formula. One can cautiously and throughly choose the design of tattoos. One can twist the things and images roughly and make certain what one wants. Since the tattoo is permanent firstly you need to choose what you really want and then after choose from whom who really want to do tattooing on your body? Looking for someone who is really good at tattooing would be a nice idea. You need to consider his/her previous work or art of tattooing and if you are happy then you may need to visit his/her shop to see whether it is clean or not? Better have a look onto his/her equipment and see they are sterile or not? After your decision is made then it can be considered that the first formula is complete and you can move onto the next step or next formula.

Now, since the decision is made and once you are ready to go, take an appointment because you may not get appropriate amount of time while others customers are present there. But before this, once again review the design and make sure you are satisfied completely with what you have chosen. After the artist has seen what you have selected for tattooing, he/she will then set up the station and then prepare all the equipment that are required for the art of tattooing. These things include the ink, towels, needles, soaps and others. After this make your body comfortable as much as possible and make sure that the art of your body where you are about to make tattoo does not move much. After this, the artist may shave the body part if required and they are ready to begin their work. The tattoo artist then turns on the machine, dip the needle in the ink, regularly wipe the tattoo with an antiseptic and apply the tattoo goo. The same process is carried out till the final tattoo print is ready and hence your final tattoo is all ready to be revealed. Finally, have a look onto the mirror to see your final tattoo. 

After you have a tattoo, there is one another formula left that you need to consider as long as you have the tattoo on your body. It represents the aftercare of your tattoo. Once you have tattoo on your body you need to wash it at regular basis with the help of anti-bacterial soaps or fragrance free soaps. Then, make it dry thoroughly and apply the aftercare products preferred by the tattoo artists. This process, you need to repeat number of times in a day so that your tattoo get heal in the most effective way. After the tattoo is healed finally, the complete series of formula now there is one more formula that you are going to complete. This is the aftercare of the tattoo. You have to wash it regularly with an anti-bacterial, unscented soap. Dry it thoroughly and then apply the aftercare product of your choice. This will need to be repeated several times a day in order for your tattoo to heal in the most optimum way. After it is healed, you have completed the series of formulas intricate in the art of tattooing.

To sum up, as far as I am concerned, it is certain that the things that we do in our everyday life have some sorts of specific formula to be followed. We encounter these things while we watch movies, films or in many of our daily routine activities. These formulae really make us comfortable to live our life in the most effective way. In the beginning, I never thought that the theory of formula would really suit the art of tattooing but now I have realized that it is the theory of formula that really matters the most.

Heroes and the Cult of Celebrities

Heroes and The Cult of the Celebrity

Sambhav Khanal

HUMN240-E4WW (SU12)

Omar Alomari

10th June, 2012

The theory of heroes really seems a bit difficult to fit into the topic of tattooing and piercing that I have selected to analyze.  Heroes are those figures who do something good for the society and other people get influenced by them. Now, looking at the definition of heroes, it is really difficult to relate the art of tattooing and the work they do. There is actually no need to have a tattoo or piercing in your body if you want to benefit humanity.  To cite an example, those soldiers who fight against the terrorists and rebellions in the country can be termed as the heroes as they fight all day and night for the betterment of their countries. So, is tattoo necessary for them? Certainly not. Tattoo has nothing to do for them. So, theory of heroes does not seem to be applicable in the topic of tattooing and piercing.  Perhaps tattoo artists may somehow be qualified to enough to fit the title of heroes but to some content only as some people get influenced by looking on their tattoos and perhaps they also want to have one on their body.

            In contrast to the theory of heroes, the theory of cult of celebrity seems to be more reliable and applicable as well. This theory fits more handsomely as lots of celebrities have tattoos and piercing on their bodies. For instance, Kat Von D is really famous for her show LA Ink in TLC channel and there are many celebrities like Lady Gaga, Christina Perri who have actually gone to her and had a tattoo. 

            Another example to justify the theory of cult of celebrity would be David Beckham who had a tattoo in his forearm in Devanagari script which represents his wife Victoria’s name. Since then, I have seen a lot of people doing tattoos on their body and printing the name of his/her loved one in foreign language. Even I have a tattoo in my arm which represents my girlfriend’s name but it is in my own national language.

Actually I have never thought of connecting heroism and cult of celebrity with tattooing and piercing. But now trying to connect these theories what I can conclude more or less is that tattooing has become somewhat acceptable nowadays. Almost every celebrities of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) have visible tattoos on their bodies and many people get influenced by them and would prefer to have one as their favorite celebrities.

To sum up, what I find after analyzing these theories and relating them to tattoos and body piercing is that having a couple of tattoos never makes you a bad person or a good one as well. Tattoos have nothing to do with your behavior and character. If somebody with a tattoo saves you while you are drowning in the river and become a hero for you, then you consider him as a hero because of his act of saving you not because he had a tattoo on his body.

Assignment 1-4-3, Popular Culture- Tattoo and Piercing

Piercing and Tattooing- Rituals and Stereotypes

Sambhav Khanal

HUMN240-E4WW (SU12)

Oman Alomari

2nd June 2012

Piercing and Tattoo- as a form of ritual

Tattooing, a form of body art can be commonly seen in many of the traditional tribes in the countries like Australia, Africa, and New Zealand. Piercing tattoo in different body parts with the help of many objects has been prevalent as an important culture or ritual Tattooing in body parts through various traditional objects has remained an important cultural or ritual in many groups from a long period of time and it is quite clear that piercing tattoo has obviously some belief along with it.

To cite an example of piercing and tattooing as a ritual, in some of the African tribe, they have the ritual of making tattoo of crocodile skin on their back and on their arms when they cross the age of 18 where they become man from child according to their culture. This ritual is called as Scarification. According to Aswetravel (August 15, 2010), Scarification is prevalent in different cultures mainly in Africa and in Papua New Guinea. In the Sepik tribe in New Guinea, scarification is like an initiation rite for the young men. They slice the men’s’ chest, back, and buttocks with a bamboo edge making like a crocodile skin which would test their strength and self-discipline. This tribe believes that crocodiles created the humans, and the scars in their scarification represent teeth marks of the crocodile that “swallowed” the young man during the ceremony.

Also, in some of the Newari culture here in Nepal, there is the ritual of piercing the body parts like tongue and ears when certain events or festivals come. These festivals actually comes once in 12 years and during this ritual, one member from the community must do piercing as per their religion otherwise something bad will happen to the whole community.

Piercing and Tattoo- Stereotype

From the perspective of stereotyping, in some culture it is positively perceived whereas in some society and culture it is perceived in negative way. For instance, in some tribe, tattoo is taken as symbol of manhood where as in today’s society man with tattoo is taken as punks and hooligans. Nevertheless, it does affect the perspective structure of our environment and society. So, we should always keep our mind broaden rather than a narrow perspective mind because the stereotyping directly or indirectly lead to misleading of perception.

References

Aswetravel. (August 15, 2010). Weird And Interesting Body Art From Around The World. Retrieved June 3, 2012 from http://www.aswetravel.com/weird-interesting-body-art-from-around-the-world/