Korean Pop free essay sample

These kinds of dramas’ penetration through modern media brought about the Filipinos’ openness and awareness of the East Asian culture and its entertainment; the â€Å"Asian style† had been well-accepted. Filipinos were only drawn to Koreanovelas, especially when Boys over Flowers, the Korean version of Meteor Garden, was aired on Philippine television. However in early 2009, the *Korean Wave or *Hallyu Wave was born. The Korean wave includes the *viral spread of Korean shows, music and culture, basically, on the field of entertainment. It primarily established its name in the Philippines when Sandara Park, a Korean celebrity who began her career in the said country, debuted on a Korean girl group 2NE1. The response of the Filipinos was overwhelming. The single â€Å"Fire† was played everywhere and it indeed, captured the hearts of the Filipino masses. Later came Super Junior with â€Å"Sorry Sorry† and Wonder Girls with â€Å"Nobody. † It seems like language was not, and had never been, a barrier for fans of the Korean wave. We will write a custom essay sample on Korean Pop or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Through its melody and catchy visuals, the Filipinos, especially the teenagers, perceived the Korean wave and accepted it. Since then, the Korean Wave, as a source of entertainment, has become urgency in Philippine media, satisfying *fandoms all over the country. After it created its name in the Philippines, Korean songs topped and stayed in music charts for weeks. Music companies circulated Korean albums in the country, which became best sellers in music stores. Asia Myx (2009) and Pop Myx: Korean pop Edition (2010) were launched in MYX channel2 as a response to KPop fans’ increasing hunger for *Korean pop media content. The year 2010 marked another milestone for the Korean pop fandom among Filipino teens. Numerous Korean pop groups like Shinee, 4minute, FT Island, Super Junior, U-kiss, Beast, Kim Hyunjoong, and Rain visited the Philippines to perform for their supporters, the Korean pop fandoms. Even little kids know how to dance Psy’s â€Å"Oppa Gangam Style,† which became an instant dance craze. Next year, on January, Girls’ Generation, EXO, Infinite, U-kiss and Tahiti are reported to perform at the Mall of Asia concert grounds. Tickets to the said show were released last Saturday and as expected, thousands of Filipino KPop fans struggled down their way to fulfillment. Fandoms are usually implied to be those crazy, raving fans, mostly female ones, who always stalk (in Korean pop vocabulary, *spazz) their Korean pop idols. They are usually thought of as obsessive, brainless and foolish people. People who criticize them just do not know how passionate these fandoms are. Although they are known for showing their support through watching their Korean pop idols and buying Korean pop merchandise, they go beyond than that; these fandoms also organize parties and charitable events to help the needy and at the same time, to mingle with their fellow KPop fans. Through this, it can be observed that Filipinos form these groups so that they can socialize with other people who also have the same inclinations, as demonstrated by the subculture of KPop fans, in the country, flamed by activities of fandoms. More than a recreation and hobby, for KPop fans, it is their happiness and fulfillment to support their idols. Through a brief research, it has been observed that the Korean wave is popular among many Filipino teenagers because it offers a fresh cultural aspect, encourages self-expression and serves as a psychological and social urgency. Significance of the Study This study was done primarily because of the researcher’s own interest in the subject matter. She was surprised to observe that the Korean Wave already established its name globally for only a short span of time. While she has her personal views and opinions regarding the explanation behind Korean pop’s popularity, she wants to further examine the reasons why Korean wave captured the hearts of other Filipino teenagers. This can aid to the expansion of KPop fans’ views on fandoms and themselves, which can also be helpful in tackling daily decisions in life. This study can also shed light to the negative connotation of being â€Å"brainless† fans for it will seek what it is beneath their obsessions. It can help them gain more confidence and self-expression. Through this, they may not feel neglected members of today’s society. It may even result to the understanding and appreciation for these KPop fans. The study’s findings could contribute to studies relating to media influence and its market. It can also establish the feasibility of the Philippines being a market site of Korean products, which will help KPop fans as well. These can result to good partnerships between the Korean and Philippine industry. Although the Korean Wave has been penetrating the Philippine cultural and entertainment industry, only few resources and studies have been found by the researcher regarding Korean pop and its popularity. The researcher hopes that this analysis can also help to further explore the effects of Korean wave to Filipino teenager fans. Scope of the Study The study focuses generally on the perceptions of different Filipino KPop fans, mostly on their teenage years. It is solely based from interviews made by the researcher and her resources. Although the study attempts to figure out the reason behind numerous Filipino KPop fans’ admiration and strong passion for Korean pop, it does not generalize all the views of the whole population. The study features the understanding and views of Filipino KPop fans not only on Korean Wave’s popularity but also on its embodied culture and benefits. Only three interviews and no surveys were conducted. The researcher interviewed three first year college students who are also Filipino KPop fans: Hysa Guarte and Chelsi Christine Tenorio, both 16 years old and Karren Grace Babiera, 17 years old. The Korean wave is popular among many Filipino teenagers because it offers a fresh cultural aspect, encourages self-expression and serves as a psychological urgency. † We, Filipinos, have our own taste of culture and entertainment. There is no doubt that we have one of the richest cultures in the world. Hospitability and respect, for example, is always exemplified in our actions . Through modern Philippine television shows, and other Filipino media, we express and give away our culture for other people to perceive and appreciate. This goes the same for the Koreans. The Koreans symbolize their culture and traditions through showing Korean dramas, mostly in the classical times and romance-comedy genre etc. Korean language is, of course, largely embedded to the Korean pop media. It also consists of Korean fashion, food, traditions, practices social views etc. This culture becomes the bond that instigates an attraction between the Korean Wave and its Filipino supporters. One of the aforementioned reasons why Filipino fans love and adore Korean pop is because it introduces and offers a new cultural aspect. Korean Pop free essay sample Abstract: This research paper explores the beginning of South Korean Pop music first emerging in the early 1900’s and becoming a global phenomenon. It examines the correlation between lyrical, acoustical values connected to facets of Korean values and cultural influences. The background of instruments, choreography and tempos are uniquely organized giving harmony to Korean music evolution. Lastly, Korean pop has different reactions globally, as its influences in media have both benefits and criticisms. Mirages of smoke appear from the ceiling as glittering confetti showers fall from the sky; audiences sing and dance along as the ground trembles like two tectonic plates colliding. For the first time, after decades from its origin in South Korea, K-pop has emerged as a global phenomenon. The beginnings of Korean pop can be traced back to as early as the late 1800’s. These first songs were based on popular western music; this type of music was called â€Å"changga. We will write a custom essay sample on Korean Pop or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page † â€Å"The popularity and phenomenon of K-pop doesn’t start until the late 1990s, when Lee Soo Man formed SM Entertainment, South Korea’s largest entertainment agency† (Dara Ho June 1). During the 1800’s, these songs emphasized the Korean peoples feelings at the time, especially when there was Japanese rule and oppression, such as the song â€Å"Huimangga†, which translates to hope (Dora Ho June 1). Korean music, like American music is a sole reflection of the times, hardships, and feelings that Korean bands and artists express; in other words, these songs are an embodiment of how musicians feel. For example, in the popular song â€Å"Gangnam Style† by PSY, talks about Gangnam, one of the most affluent upper-class areas in all of South Korea. Gangnam is similar to Wall Street of New York, where the neighborhoods are full of wealthy, privileged people, who are seen monopolizing the country’s business and economical systems. Furthermore, Shinee a South Korean artist, writes songs about religion. In his song, â€Å"Lucifer†, he talks about the devil and how society and people are trapped in demonic spells, lust, and tricks created by him. From K-pop songs, we can see that religious traditions and teachings, such as avoiding the seven deadly sins, are prevalent. Also, previously mentioned, the lyrics expressed  in the song â€Å"Huimangga† show the feelings of Korean people about the rebellion at the time of Japanese imperial rule andoppression. Korean pop songs are extremely catchy, containing harmonious vocals and melodic beats, simultaneously paired with appealing dance choreography. This type of music is also identified hand in hand with Korean drama (genre of TV). Instruments used in K-pop are vastly similar to those used in Western Hip hop including: keyboards, violins, bass, and guitars. K-POP concerts and performances involve vibrant laser and blinding strobe effects, captivating a variety of audiences from teens to adults. What is interesting is that performers and artists learn a comprehensive amount of skills. â€Å"Trainees hone their voices†¦ shape their bodies through exercise and even study multiple languages, artists must go through rigorous training camps and auditions to gain a spot in the industry† (Dora Ho June 1). Long periods of rigorous training are intertwined with their culture because from a young age, Korean culture emphasizes the importance of education and academics. Notable are the number of criticisms that are associated with Korean Pop: its negative portrayal of beauty, and its mimicking western society. â€Å"K-pop slavishly copies from the boy, girl- band that began in the US 20 years ago and crossed-over to Japan†¦ K-pop is a blatant rip-off of successful foreign models and reflects depressingly widespread Korean ‘copy-culture’, where value comes from cloning not originality† (Kelly September 2012). K-pop is viewed as mimicking all of Western Society; it is seen as just cloning other genres of music, lacking originality. Bloggers like Kelly argue, â€Å"intellectual property and copyright are all ignored here.† Another perception of Korean Pop music is that it is hazardous and a plague to modern society. Men (masculine women) wear long dangling earrings, rings, and brightly colored neon-yellow shorts. According to Sinnott, observation from the etic perspective, it is seen that these males often have long highlighted-layered hair, arguing that the men are starting to resemble homosexual women. â€Å"This style of dress was ubiquitous of the nightclubs in Bangkok in 2009 that catered to young queer women†¦ Thai-language magazine frames K-pop style specially into an aesthetic for masculine-identifying women† (Megan Sinnott Dec 2012). This shows that this particular sense of subjective â€Å"questionable† male-style is dominating the globe in regions like China and even Thailand. The majority of K-pop bands and singers dress in a  flamboyant sense, and possess admirable traits such as: being tall, slender, attractive, and â€Å"flawless†. This brings forth the controversial topic of plastic surgery; in the past decade, South Koreans began engaging in plastic surgery. Globally, It’s generally believed that beauty is needed to succeed in the entertainment industry; you must be beautiful, meaning you must have the aforementioned features that define beauty (Jeannette Francis March 19). The popularity of plastic surgery has heightened to extremes in South Korean culture. It is perceived that â€Å"beauty† is not in the eye of the beholder, but there is a widespread belief in Korea that a person must be â€Å"beautiful† to succeed in life or to get potential marriage partners. There are even stories about girls receiving plastic surgery as graduation presents, arguably shaping a generation that is fake. â€Å"South Korea has the highest rate of cosmetic procedures per capita in the world. Some reports place the number of South Korean women who have had cosmetic procedure at one in five† (Jeannette Francis March 19). Subjective or not, it is without question, that this society is obsessed with looks and are vastly superficial. This perceived ideal of beauty is starting to affect many other societies, and could be a negative influence. Despite the negative criticisms placed on Korean Pop, it is an amazing catalyst for economic expansion and recognition for South Korean society. â€Å"Rain’s breakthrough into the US market †¦ â€Å"we’re targeting the global market. Rain’s too big for Asia† (SHIN Hyunjoon November 2009). As declared by Shin, Korean-pop has started to infiltrate the U.S, and even globalized in all of Asia around 2005. Rain, one of the notable Korean pop artists, appeared in Time Magazine’s top 100 Most Influential People, in as early as 2006. S.M entertainment, a music record company, has continued to receive positive trending gains in profits throughout the years. In 2008 profits were only 42.5 million; however, recently with PSY’s exposure, the revenues are exceeding 217 million dollars. In fact, it is approximated that revenues are nearly 7 billion dollars in the South Korean music industry alone. The taxes and revenue increases are a correlation of how well Korean society is doing compared to other countries. In Korea’s globalized society, there are now more culture clubs, organized in many areas of the world. This expansion has created more communities that unite for a specific purpose, to discuss  Korean Pop. During the past few months, Korean Pop music was on popular radio broadcast stations such as KIIS FM, and throughout multiple parts of the United States. An amazing change also affects South Korean culture, the rise of nationalism. â€Å" Since Korea has never enjoyed regional as well as international acclaim for its popular culture, the transitional recognition of its pop culture has become a point of national pride in Korea† (Jeong Suk Joo Nov 2011). This term is coined â€Å"pop nationalism.† Korean society is now using terms such as â€Å"Hallyu-wood†, the combination of the words Korean Wave and Hollywood. Koreans are celebrating their culture values and even creating a theme park similar to Hollywood with streets, hotels, and shops named after Korean stars. The government is encouraging exporting their cultural context to other parts of the world. â€Å" †¦ Indicate the localization strategy of transnational corporations in order to make their products more palatable to Asians by using Asian talents† (Jeong Suk Joo 2011). This promotes nationalism and ties in with South Korean economic growth as well. The most influential breakthrough is that South Korea, once a small country non-existent to the rest of the world, is now a global power. With its great influence in media and technological advances, it is definitely recognized with popular names such as: Hyundai and Samsung. Psy, a Korean pop icon, is breaking new ground with his upbeat song â€Å"Gangnam Style†, his music video passing one billion views on YouTube. This viral video has been globally recognized and gives him tremendous success. He appears on popular television shows such as Ellen DeGeneres. Park Geun Hye, President of South Korea, even called PSY patriotic! Without a doubt, South Korea’s pop culture reflects their cultural values and society. Now spreading like wildfire, talented artists like PSY are being called global phenomenon.

buy custom The Nineteenth Century essay

buy custom The Nineteenth Century essay In nineteenth century, capitalism allowed increase in productivity and at the same time triggering social changes. They included the Napoleonic wars which sought to introduce a continental system that would make Europe to be economically self-governing. This would make the blockading power of the Royal Navy to be irrelevant. United Kingdom was well in the industrial revolution hence it resisted the agitation for peace which was called for by continental system calling for mercantile circles agitate for peace. The Napoleonic war encouraged growth of certain industries like the pig iron output that increased its output by three times. Another social change that came out in Britain was the growth of the banking system or finance and credit (Wallace, 1997). The growing importance of UK as the center of capitalism during this time, benefited from great degree where business world of Britain was open to foreigners who were talented. Some of them included Johann Baring from Bremen who becam e a very successful cloth merchant in Exeter. In early nineteenth century, capitalism as financial phenomenon was becoming entangled with new manufacturing methods and in much emphasis on textiles. The textile industries in Britain shifted from relying on cotton from Africa and Asia during U.S. civil war. Capitalism and the idea of making profit were making the world a very small place. The trend of doing business with an aim of making profit continued for a very long time in both Britain and United States. Capitalism has influenced many people and it did not seem to end even with rising tensions between the private who were after making of the huge profits and the public. The capitalism was embraced by many merchants in nineteenth century who were making a lot of investment hence deep rooting the capitalism as the only way of trading in the society. Capitalism was being seen by many as a factor which led to rise in democracy in those countries that practiced capitalism. It was also noted that capitalist states do not make war with one another and there is very little internal violence between them. Democracy that was in many countries like the Britain and United States increased significantly even among its partners. This made democracy to be associated with Capitalism (Thomas, 2008). Capitalism in both United States and Britain took control of the whole trade field that it was not that easy to stop it. Merchants who were practicing capitalism, even under high campaign against it, in those countries to stop it came to succeed. It was not easy to stop capitalism as form of trade in society. This was mainly because; it had gotten very deep into the trade sectors. It is was not easy for merchants to abandon their way of trade which they were used to and which gave them a lot of money, to one that was after the welfare of the society. Many manufacturing industries in both Britain and United States had already been used to manufacture goods for the sake of making profits. This trend continued that way up to now where they are still continuing with the same kind of business for sake of making large profits. Banking sector which was giving out services in finance with the aim of making profit would have been unable to change that policy to provide services for the sake o f peoples benefit. Socialist movements have tried to fight against the capitalism in Britain and United States but this has not been achieved yet up to now. In future, this capitalism will have to change in some of its aspects to allow for change to other factors of economy. Buy custom The Nineteenth Century essay

Quadrant Homes Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Quadrant Homes - Case Study Example They align the goals of all stakeholders (Quadrant Homes ensures that the expectations of the stakeholders that have investment in their company are along the same lines so that everyone is all striving for the same cause. They recognize that variances will occur, and they design routines to handle them when they do (Quadrant Homes realizes that there will be times where the work doesn't flow like it should; as a result, they have routines set for their employees when these situation occur.) Quadrant Homes provides manufacturing and service because, not only do they build houses for people, but they also ensure that the customer is satisfied with their work. If not, they will strive to accommodate them. Quadrant Homes sold over 1,000 homes in 2003, and they produced over $250 millon in revenue; they turned an industry-leading profit margin, and produced a pretax return on investment (ROI) in the low 20s. Within its industry, Quadrant Homes was in the top ranking, in both net income and revenue, and they served as the number one homebuilder in its geographic market, doubling the sales of the next competitor. The success of Quadrant Homes was attributed to the fact that they changed the structure of the business and the way at which they were manufacturing houses (Quadrant Homes was building based on the forecase of houses they thought they could sell; as a result, houses would sit unsold for months which resulted in less revenue and high inventory.) As a result of Quadrant Homes losing revenue, in 1996, President Steve Dennis, Executive Vice President Peter Orser, and Operations Vice President Mark Gray decided to change the structure of the business by modeling the approach of successful Texas homebuilder, Rayco; they restructured the way homes were manufactured and sold, resulting in a system that would boost profits and revenue. 3. The high priorities of Quadrant Homes are best described as ensuring that the quality of the work that they manufacture are appeasing to their clients and the budget that they have set forth in their business. As a result, Quadrant Homes has focused on the relationships that they have developed with their subcontractors, helping to ensure that the work that they produce is of high quality to their clients. While Quadrant Homes sets a flowing chart for themselves to follow, they also set forth guidelines for their subcontract

Safety in high rise buildings role of a project manager Essay

Safety in high rise buildings role of a project manager - Essay Example Fay (2007), Craighead (2008) and Adler (1993) generally define high-rise buildings as structures that extend higher than the maximum reach of available fire-fighting equipment. More specifically, these are the structures whose heights fall between 75 feet (23 meters) and 100 feet (30 meters) or approximately seven to ten stories, depending on the height between the floors (Fay, 2007). Security, on the other hand, coming from the Latin word securus, means freedom from danger or risk (Fay, 2007). This term has become relatively synonymous with safety, which also connotes one’s freedom from danger (Fay, 2007). Having recognized these terms then, the researcher then discusses the common problems being experienced by workers who participate in the construction of high rise buildings that often pose threats to their safety and security. The issue with regard to the safety and security of workers in high rise building construction sites has often been a subject of many researches. In fact, the construction industry has been considered to be one of the most dangerous sectors due to the number of accidents being experienced by the workers while they are working on their projects, most especially, the high rise buildings (Rowlinson 2004). The industry, because of the abovementioned has then also produced the worst safety record all over the world. One of the most common problems experienced by workers in the construction of high rise buildings that threaten their safety and security has something to do with the climate. Apparently, the current temperature in the area where a certain worker is employed tends to affect the building materials, especially those that is being handled or walked on (Oliver, 2005). It is then for this reason that Oliver (2005) deems it important that a worker or most importantly, the climate manager, be informed of the

Head Chef Essay Example for Free

Head Chef Essay If I wasn’t told to choose a career now, I wouldn’t have. Although I’ve had the question â€Å"what do you want to be when you grow up† constantly in the back of my mind for the past 4 years, I never really came up with a definite answer. Last September I started the culinary arts program at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center and since then I’ve realized that I really enjoy cooking so I started to consider being a chef as a career. In order to become an executive or head chef you must have a relevant education, training, and be willing to work hard. With all these attributes getting a position as a chef in a nice restraint is not difficult, and is very rewarding. After doing much research and talking to a few chefs I found out that higher education is not required to become a head chef, but it wouldn’t hurt either. Many people considering becoming a chef as a career decided to go to a culinary college. One of the most well-known culinary institutes is the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. A full academic year at the CIA in 2011-2012 cost $39,440 (CCIA). There is no GPA requirement in order to apply to the CIA but you must have your high school diploma. According to the CIA’s web site before you can start classes it is required that â€Å"you gain relevant experience in one of two ways before enrolling: by working in a non-fast food establishment with a professional kitchen for six months or by completing culinary classes at either the high school or college level† (AR). Although education is important, proper training is even more essential. Some training a chef is expected to have are knife skills, food preparation and sanitation. Training of a chef usually consists of an internship, apprenticeship, or externship, during which time the aspiring chef will work in all areas of the kitchen, mastering all aspects of food preparation. Many culinary colleges have an internship program in place to experience the culinary industry while gaining skills and on the job experience. On top of education and training if you expect to go far as a chef there are certain skills you should have such as; high stamina, organization, flexibility, teamwork, customer focus, and the desire to learn (SPCTP). Chefs work really long days under high pressure and should be able to maintain a clear mind and continue to be productive. A really big part of being a chef has to do with the customers; after all, without them you wouldn’t have a job. â€Å"A good chef knows that customers want fresh, delicious food that’s presented attractively, and does his or her best to make sure that happens for every customer that enters the restaurant† (SPCTP). I did my job shadow with the head chef, Julie, at St. Andrews Place in Port Angeles, WA. When I asked her what the most important skill needed to be good at her job was she said, besides from knowing how to cook, time management. Having been in the culinary arts program and experiencing the pressure of getting done to get what needs to be done, I agree. Time management is a very important skill to have in the culinary industry. Most high schools have a culinary program that you could attend in order to obtain these skills, or you could simply learn through on the job training. A typical day for a head chef is different than that of an executive chef. An executive chef works in more of an office style; leading other chefs, doing more meal planning, and a lot of paperwork. Executive chefs are hardly on the line cooking except occasionally during dinner rush. Head chefs may be involved with the meal planning and some paper work but mostly work in the kitchen the majority of the time. Being a chef means working mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays. â€Å"Depending on the size of the restaurant or establishment, a head chef may arrive as early as 9 a.m. to begin planning the day’s menus and not leave until the dinner rush is over, sometimes at 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Most chefs work at least 12-hour days and many times six days a week† (Buchan). Not only is the workday long, but the work itself is hard as well; almost the whole day is spent walking or standing. In order to be a chef you have to love what you do. â€Å"Passion. This is what is going to make all the sacrifice, low pay, and long hours worth it. You have to have a defined, passionate goal; something you want to work towards. And you need to have passion about food and someday being a professional chef. Without true passion, you will never succeed in a restaurant kitchen†. (WIAPK) Being a chef can be a very stressful job and take quite a mental toll as well as physical. Although the work is difficult, the rewards are well worth it. The level of pay for head chefs varies depending on where you work and who you work for. Those who get paid most often work in upscale restaurants and hotels. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, â€Å"the median annual wage of chefs and head cooks was $40,630 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,260, and the top 10 percent earned more than $70,960† (CHCP). â€Å"Seventy percent of chefs working for employers reported receiving health care benefits: 69 percent received medical care, 51 percent received dental care and 36 percent received vision care† (SBC). This does not apply to self-employed chefs. Although the pay is decent, if you are going to pursue a career as a chef you shouldn’t do it simply for the money. Being a chef has personally gratifying rewards as well as financial, such as the satisfaction you feel when people love the food you’ve created. The culinary industry is only expected to grow 14% in all occupations between now and 2020 (CHCJO). Although the projected growth isn’t a lot, the culinary industry is always in need of new employees. I feel like this would be a good fit for me because I have many of the skills needed to be successful in the industry already. I have been learning these skills though the Culinary Arts program I have been taking at the North Olympic Skills Center. I have been exposed to customer service, knife skills, food preparation, sanitation, HACCP logs, dish-pit, and have been told by my instructor that I have great time management skills. As you can see, with a proper education, training, and hard work, a career as a chef can be an extremely rewarding experience. The preparation of food is not only a job that satisfies peoples hunger, it is also an art, and the chefs are the artists.

Friday :: Germanic Mythology Language Essays

Friday Every Monday at work, I hear people complaining that they wish it would be Friday already. Everyone waits for this last day of the working week with excitement and eagerness. Friday represents the completion of the week, and at the same time, the beginning of the weekend. The origins of the word "Friday" take their roots from Norse mythology, when this day signified rejuvenation, and at the same time loss, death or completion. In various cultures, this day has numerous meanings and is perceived both positively and with anxiety. The meaning of Friday was preserved through centuries, and today we still use the pagan name of Friday as well as pagan names for other days of the week in the English language. Friday has come a long way from the Anglo-Saxon frigedaeg or from the Old High German Freyja, a goddess of love and fertility. In Germanic mythology Freyja was portrayed as the goddess of youth, beauty, and sexual love. She was married to Odur, but he left her to travel around the world. Afterward, Freyja was depicted weeping, and her tears were drops of gold. Freyja's most famous possession was her necklace, Brising ("necklace of the dwarfs"), given to her by the dwarfs in exchange for her having sexual intercourse with them. Often in myths Freyja is accused of having sexual intercourse with many men and gods. Also Freyja is known as a patron of married couples and "is very fond of love ditties, and all lovers would do well to invoke her," according to the Prose Edda (Mercatante 264). However, besides being the patron of marriage and goddess of fertility, Freyja is portrayed as the goddess of battle and death. She claimed half of the dead warriors killed in battles and received them in her realm of Folkvang. Odur, her husband, received the other half of warriors at Valhalla. The fact that Friday was held sacred to this goddess of fertility and death signifies that inhabitants of ancient England perceived this day as the beginning and at the same time as the completion of their weekly activities, or possibly life. Although in various cultures the meaning of Friday differs, there are numerous similarities, which can be traced down to the common source. In Norse mythology, where paganism dominated religious and cultural settings, Friday was considered to be the day of love and a good day to put a beginning to various activities such as farming or a conception of a child.

Foreshadowing In “The Lottery” Essay

Shirley Jackson depicts a special day, June 27, in the lives of the inhabitants of a small, apparently serene village. The use of foreshadowing is applied extensively to hint to the reader that despite the seemingly festive occasion, there is something morbid about the lottery that causes the people of the town to be uneasy. Jackson foreshadows the ironic conclusion with specific examples and both ominous and tense diction. The earliest indication of the peculiarity of the day’s lottery is the little boys had â€Å"already stuffed [their] pockets full of stones† (422). One knows that a lottery in modern societies definitely does not involve rocks, so the idea that the town’s lottery is much different than the ones known in today’s world is introduced. The fact that the men who begin to gather for the lottery stand â€Å"away from the pile of stones† shows that the stones are not a jovial part of the day’s events (422). These examples give the reader the idea that there is something important, yet shady about the pile of rocks. And although the men told jokes, â€Å"they smiled rather than laughed† (422). If the lottery was a carefree event, the men would have had no problem with laughing. The description of the actions of the group of men creates the impression that the lottery is a serious event which is not about laughing matters. During the lottery, after most of the men had chosen and drawn their scrap of paper, they sat â€Å"turning them over and over nervously† (425). If the lottery was being conducted to give out some sort of reward or prize, they would have seemed eager, not nervous. Jackson also describes the way Mr. Summers and Mr. Adams grin at each other as â€Å"nervously† (425). The repetition of the word nervous reinforces that the lottery is not one of fun and games. In addition, Mrs. Dunbar’s anticipation for Mr. Summers to â€Å"hurry† shows that the lottery is not the type of occasion the people enjoy participating in and would rather get over with quickly (425). Therefore it is obvious that the lottery would not have a pleasant outcome. Instead, the lottery must have some sort of negative outcome that is serious enough to make the entire town nervous. The most significant sign of the abnormal nature of the lottery is the introduction of the â€Å"black box† (422). In most people’s minds the color black is associated with death. When it is revealed that there are scraps of paper in the box, the reader is also exposed to what the box is used for: to hold the papers which the villagers will draw. In essence, the connotation of the color black creates the impression that when the villagers draw from the box, they are drawing for a chance at death. This example foreshadows exactly what will happen when the story concludes. Next Jackson describes the lottery as being a â€Å"ritual† that once involved a â€Å"chant† (423). The connotation of these words also supports the idea that the lottery revolves around death. When one thinks of a ritual, pictures of Ancient Aztec or Mayan sacrifices come to mind. And when one thinks of chanting, images of hooded figures preparing someone for a sacrifice surface. So through the use of ominous nouns and adjectives, Jackson is explicitly stating what is going to happen as a result of the lottery; a human sacrifice is going to take place. Although as the story progresses there is more and more of a feeling of doom, the reader does not become acutely aware of what takes place after the lottery until Mrs. Hutchinson cowers in a corner with the mob approaching her. If one analyzes the color of the box and its purpose, it is possible to predict the outcome of the lottery, but otherwise all other methods of foreshadowing provide the reader with a strong feeling that something disturbing is going to occur.