My question about Don Quixote is: in the story "Distressed Dueña", why does the author depict so little about Don Quixote himself and use a lot of space to describe Don Quixote's servant Sancho.
I think Don Quixote can be considered as a comedy and Sancho is the "funny" guy in the whole story; however, I don't know why the author has to use him specifically in this quest.
Another question is about the duo of the duke couple. It seems they have their comic and inventive steward to fool Don Quixote. But why??? What is the irony or purpose here?????
In the chapters of Don Quixote, women with facial hair were frowned upon by society to the extent in which their own parents wouldn't even "take pity" on them.
Considering this fact, what do you think the atmosphere regarding gender issues and gender definition was like during Don Quixote's era?
After reading the bearded lady i started to wonder why i never heard of this. I realize it was during the seventeenth century when bearded females(witches) was more fashionable but how did this trend phase? Did something happen?
Throughout this semester's readings, it has seemed that cultures over many different time periods have all placed value on masculine qualities. But when a female has any masculine qualities personality-wise (as seen in John Frog), and now physically (having beards), she is seen as a social pariah. Are societies designed so that no matter what they look like or how they act, women can never be superior to men?
I wonder when the text in the reading about 'Bearded Lady Erotic Ambiguities' written. Because the pictures are quite explicit according the approximate time period it would have been published in.
In the article "These Kittens Have Whiskers," Kate Moss donned a beard and mustache. While it was an inspiring action, was this really done with women with facial hair in mind? At first, I felt this was a really encouraging move for women ashamed of their facial hair. Yet, the photo of Kate Moss shows her with a beard in a color that differs from her hair color, making it look unnatural. Perhaps that is why "her beauty really shines through?" Perhaps, the beard actually highlights her beauty because it looks out of place and completely unnatural on her face. If this is the case, doesn't this mean that her beard was actually used to contrast her beauty? That it was actually included in the photo to juxtapose conventional feminine beauty?
Merlin's entrance and the way he introduced himself were both very dark. He is the one who tells Don Quixote and Sancho Panza how the curse can be lifted off of Dulcinea. Does Merlin stand for the figure of death?
I find it very interesting that the appearance of a person is large part of the what society believes to be their gender. For example female to male transexuals usually grow facial hair in order to seem more masculine. If a woman has any typically male features (like a beard) society believes them to be "freaks" instead of thinking morea about the biological side. Do they choose to be in shows and be considered "freaks" or does unintentionally force them into a place where they are more accepted?
I also found the emphasis on appearance interesting, but more in the dialogue of the duchess in the Don Quixote text. The duchess says that they will judge how much help Countess Trifaldi deserves after they look at her. If appearance was so prominently important in lighthearted comedy alone, what were the expectations of women in regards to their appearance, across the classes, and how did it contribute to their role in society, during this time?
The feminine presence is highly focused In Don Quixote. Some women in the text take a role of creating degrees of madness in men, others play a bigger part in comparing and contrasting the roles of men and women within the historical context. While the female presence leads the topic of perception of women, how they are being idealized under such instances? Each woman in the novel contributes to create particular conditions for "perfect women".
After reading several articles about bearded ladies, I noticed they are depict as freaks. When we hear the term circus freaks, bearded lady often comes to mind. However, unlike typical other circus "freaks," having a beard is totally voluntary. Why would a woman keep a beard to show power? Also, why would some women say it is due to comfort or shaving is too complex, even though the art of makeup is many times more complicated?
From all these articles and quotes about bearded ladies, it would seem like they are very commonly seen. However, in the 21st century, we haven't seen many, if any. Why is that? Are we just more sensitive about people being called "freaks" or are bearded ladies more likely to get rid of their beards nowadays?
After reading the articles on Jennifer Miller, I wonder to what extent media is shaping the experiences of Miller. Whether the media reinforces or breaks down these social constructs of female/male characteristics seems to be vary among people. So, does media influence our ideas? Or does media reinforce our ideas of these issues?
In the bearded lady reading, it shows that "hair has belonged to people who have power". If that is the case, does this indicate that even in the modern society, male with beard has power while female without beard lack power?
Is there a political influence in the way commercials and marketing ads target women and men by emphasizing that their imperfections are not acceptable?
I particularly enjoyed reading about Jennifer Miller. It was kind of refreshing to see a womn step out of the box and say no to the existing fashion fads and make her own- irrespective of how freakish they were assumed by the society.
My question about Don Quixote is: in the story "Distressed Dueña", why does the author depict so little about Don Quixote himself and use a lot of space to describe Don Quixote's servant Sancho.
ReplyDeleteI think Don Quixote can be considered as a comedy and Sancho is the "funny" guy in the whole story; however, I don't know why the author has to use him specifically in this quest.
Another question is about the duo of the duke couple.
It seems they have their comic and inventive steward to fool Don Quixote. But why???
What is the irony or purpose here?????
In the chapters of Don Quixote, women with facial hair were frowned upon by society to the extent in which their own parents wouldn't even "take pity" on them.
ReplyDeleteConsidering this fact, what do you think the atmosphere regarding gender issues and gender definition was like during Don Quixote's era?
After reading the bearded lady i started to wonder why i never heard of this. I realize it was during the seventeenth century when bearded females(witches) was more fashionable but how did this trend phase? Did something happen?
ReplyDeleteThroughout this semester's readings, it has seemed that cultures over many different time periods have all placed value on masculine qualities. But when a female has any masculine qualities personality-wise (as seen in John Frog), and now physically (having beards), she is seen as a social pariah. Are societies designed so that no matter what they look like or how they act, women can never be superior to men?
ReplyDeleteI wonder when the text in the reading about 'Bearded Lady Erotic Ambiguities' written. Because the pictures are quite explicit according the approximate time period it would have been published in.
ReplyDeletePrerna Agarwal
In the article "These Kittens Have Whiskers," Kate Moss donned a beard and mustache. While it was an inspiring action, was this really done with women with facial hair in mind? At first, I felt this was a really encouraging move for women ashamed of their facial hair. Yet, the photo of Kate Moss shows her with a beard in a color that differs from her hair color, making it look unnatural. Perhaps that is why "her beauty really shines through?" Perhaps, the beard actually highlights her beauty because it looks out of place and completely unnatural on her face. If this is the case, doesn't this mean that her beard was actually used to contrast her beauty? That it was actually included in the photo to juxtapose conventional feminine beauty?
ReplyDeleteMerlin's entrance and the way he introduced himself were both very dark. He is the one who tells Don Quixote and Sancho Panza how the curse can be lifted off of Dulcinea. Does Merlin stand for the figure of death?
ReplyDeletewhy is sancho panza so eager to follow don quijote in all of his rediculus and dangerous journeys?? is he also mad?
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting that the appearance of a person is large part of the what society believes to be their gender. For example female to male transexuals usually grow facial hair in order to seem more masculine. If a woman has any typically male features (like a beard) society believes them to be "freaks" instead of thinking morea about the biological side. Do they choose to be in shows and be considered "freaks" or does unintentionally force them into a place where they are more accepted?
ReplyDeleteI also found the emphasis on appearance interesting, but more in the dialogue of the duchess in the Don Quixote text. The duchess says that they will judge how much help Countess Trifaldi deserves after they look at her. If appearance was so prominently important in lighthearted comedy alone, what were the expectations of women in regards to their appearance, across the classes, and how did it contribute to their role in society, during this time?
ReplyDeleteThe feminine presence is highly focused In Don Quixote.
ReplyDeleteSome women in the text take a role of creating degrees of madness in men, others play a bigger part in comparing and contrasting the roles of men and women within the historical context. While the female presence leads the topic of perception of women, how they are being idealized under such instances? Each woman in the novel contributes to create particular conditions for "perfect women".
After reading several articles about bearded ladies, I noticed they are depict as freaks. When we hear the term circus freaks, bearded lady often comes to mind. However, unlike typical other circus "freaks," having a beard is totally voluntary. Why would a woman keep a beard to show power? Also, why would some women say it is due to comfort or shaving is too complex, even though the art of makeup is many times more complicated?
ReplyDeleteFrom all these articles and quotes about bearded ladies, it would seem like they are very commonly seen. However, in the 21st century, we haven't seen many, if any. Why is that? Are we just more sensitive about people being called "freaks" or are bearded ladies more likely to get rid of their beards nowadays?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the articles on Jennifer Miller, I wonder to what extent media is shaping the experiences of Miller. Whether the media reinforces or breaks down these social constructs of female/male characteristics seems to be vary among people. So, does media influence our ideas? Or does media reinforce our ideas of these issues?
ReplyDelete- Merry Chin
In the bearded lady reading, it shows that "hair has belonged to people who have power". If that is the case, does this indicate that even in the modern society, male with beard has power while female without beard lack power?
ReplyDeleteIs there a political influence in the way commercials and marketing ads target women and men by emphasizing that their imperfections are not acceptable?
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoyed reading about Jennifer Miller. It was kind of refreshing to see a womn step out of the box and say no to the existing fashion fads and make her own- irrespective of how freakish they were assumed by the society.
ReplyDelete