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Initial Thoughts on the Unit 



I’m a feminist, and not ashamed to say it, and from the moment I heard about this course I knew it would be interesting. An entire semester studying how women have been presented in society through history? Sign me up!
While women have always been present in texts, the roles they have played in these stories have varied through time. Ranging from nothing more than the love interest, to the main character in the story. The diverse content covered in this unit analyses texts from as early as ancient cave paintings, through to post-modern film and provides insight into the progression of female representation in society and its reflection in texts of the time.
One of the most thought-provoking topics we have covered in class was by far looking at the progression of beauty. The differences in what was considered beautiful by people in different time periods, both male and female, can be used to help understand the values and beliefs held in those societies.
For example, here is what was considered beautiful in 22000 BC:
The larger breasts and stomach suggest high fertility, which is what was considered desirable in that time period. Compare this to what is considered beautiful today:

What is considered “desirable” has been considerably changed. Focus placed on facial features and a small figure, almost the opposite of what was sought after twenty-four thousand years ago.
The part of the unit in which we study post-modern texts will also be a very interesting task, as stories that members of the class have previously encountered will be watched/ read with a different purpose. This will potentially change the perspective  the reader/ viewer had of the piece. 

Comments

  1. Unknown6 February 2018 at 21:10

    I agree with the changes and differences which can be seen. Well said.

    ReplyDelete

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