American Cultural Theories seminar Flashcards
1
Q
language (6)
A
- In the following I am going to analyse this cultural text within the theoretical framework of Roland Barthes’s myth
- Creates a stark divide between individuals through language
- Perception of differences fosters a belief that treating them differently is justified
- Process of differentiation encapsulated as othering
- The dehumanizing trajectory the discourse has taken
- By critically examining the myths conveyed by discourse, we can better understand how cultural norms are perpetuated and work towards dismantling harmful ideologies surrounding …
2
Q
Myth (7+2)
A
- Stories that shield people from harsh realities & banish contradiction
-> Serve to sustain the social order & reinforce class distinctions - Ideological
- Second order semiotic system –> creates a new level of meaning/ additional meaning
- Message that’s conveyed when an object, image or phrase becomes associated with a concept or value
-> Takes on a symbolic meaning - Shape the way we view the world
- 2 systems of signification
-> … - Form of discourse that tries to make cultural norms appear as facts of nature
3
Q
2 systems of signification (2+5)
A
-> Denotation
o Literal level of meaning -> shared by all members of a society
-> Connotation
o Meanings that are generated by connecting signifiers to wider cultural concerns
-> When connotations are accepted as “normal”
* Act as conceptual maps of meaning (-> make sense of the world)
* Now they’re myths
4
Q
Ideology (6+2)
A
- Set of ideas, values & beliefs that is accepted by a society, class or social group
- System of ideas forming the basis of an economic or political theory
- Justifying ideas of a social group
-> Justifying their practices - Attempt to fix meanings & world views in support of the powerful
-> Helps maintain & reproduce power of the ruling class - Works on the level of connotation ( on the level of myth)
- Works for hegemony
5
Q
Myth vs. ideology (2)
A
- Myth is to be believed & ideology is to be followed and brought into practice
- Myths are often in service of an ideology
6
Q
Hegemony (2+2)
A
- Antonio Gramsci
- Dominance especially by one state/ social group over others
-> Total social authority over subordinate groups
-> Shaping consensus so that power of the dominating group appears legitimate & natural
7
Q
Hegemony vs. Ideology (2)
A
- Hegemony speaks of a relationship of power that exists between different groups
- Ideology is a set of ideas
8
Q
Discourse (9+6)
A
- Michel Foucault
- Complex system of language knowledge & power
- Shapes & regulates how people think, speak & understand the world within a social & historical context
-> Normative & regulative framework
-> Historically & socially contingent
o Temporarily stabilizes meaning - Creates the subject
-> Defines acceptable ways to discuss subjects - Shapes the meaning assigned to objects & practices
-> & the way we perceive things - Self justifying (-> empowers people to continue acting the way they’re acting)
- Works on the unconscious level (ideology & myth as well)
- Creates contrast -> “othering”
-> How is “the other” produced? - Inextricably linked with power relations
9
Q
History of racial ideology (2+1)
A
- “all men are created equal” -> how do we justify slavery? -> racial ideology created
-> POCs are “different” & “inferior” -> so it’s “okay” to have slavery -> different “race” - Capitalism -> free labour -> justify a system of exploitation -> economically smart
10
Q
Whiteness (1)
A
- Whiteness perpetuated as the norm
11
Q
Disability (2+1)
A
- Concept of disability used to put on another level of suppression
- Concept of the norm (“the natural”) -> discourse constructs the norm
-> Creates the “abnormal” -> opens the door to discrimination
12
Q
Intersectionality (3)
A
- Disrupts single axis perspectives of discrimination
- Helps identify how systems of discrimination affects people differently based on how they’re discriminated
- Shows that oppression is layered
13
Q
Discovery of America & the new space (3+4)
A
- Moving away from European corruption
- Wanted to created this sacred ground in America
-> Creation of a free & untouched place
o Native Americans didn’t have a space in that vision
-> Erased
-> Manifest destiny, city on a hill, virgin island - America was “different” -> landscape specifically -> “untouched landscape”
14
Q
Manifest destiny (4+3)
A
- Idea in the (1830s) that the divine mission of the US is to overspread the entire American Continent
-> Because of it’s “superior” democratic institutions - Form of exceptionalism & beginning of American imperialism
- Used to justify the forced removal of native Americans
- US leaders & citizens in the 19th century believed in manifest destiny
-> Inevitable extension of national power across the continent
o Therefore inevitable destruction of native nations
15
Q
American Exceptionalism (3+2)
A
- “god given”
- Idea that America is different from all other states
-> Because of a divine mission in world history
-> “the greatest country in the world” - Myth of manifest destiny functions as a tool for reinforcing & promoting the ideology of American exceptionalism
16
Q
Manifest destinies link to capitalism & economic value (1+3)
A
- Capitalist ideology believes that things are only useful if they create profit
-> Settlers saw no monetary profit coming from land that’s not being occupied
-> Should be turned into farms & homesteads
o Myth -> millions of people lived there -> settlers just didn’t count native Americans
17
Q
Painting (4+11)
A
- westward expansion
-> viewed as great opportunity to start anew
-> but also economic opportunities
o painting pictures westward expansion in a good light - Right half representing eastern America & left half western America
-> Left -> storm clouds, dark -> “bad”
-> Right -> bright -> “good” - Person
-> light exudes from her
-> so bright & goddess/ angel like -> divine
o Like a glorious & righteous thing
o Manifest destiny -> divine mission
-> Responsible for smooth & uplifting transformation of wilderness into civilization
o In reality not smooth -> brutal & thousands of deaths
-> Trail of tears
18
Q
Myth in the painting (2+9)
A
- Myth -> Manifest Destiny (..)
-> that shield white Americans from the harsh reality that westwards expansion was forced removal of native Americans & an act of ethnic cleansing resulting in thousands of deaths
-> serves to sustain the social order & reinforce class distinctions between native Americans & white settlers
-> shapes the way we view the westward expansion
o according to manifest destiny -> inevitable
o therefore justified & appears to be natural
-> painting is a signifier
o instead of viewing it just as a conventional painting -> a new level of meaning (showing westward expansion in a good way, as this divine & righteous mission) -> symbolic meaning -> myth of manifest destiny
-> on the level of connotation now
o works on the unconscious level - Myth of Manifest destiny functions as a tool for reinforcing & promoting the ideology of American exceptionalism (..)
19
Q
Ideology in the painting (1+3)
A
- Ideology (..) -> American exceptionalism (..)
-> Belief that America is inherently better & divine mission is to expand over continent
-> Justifies westward expansion
-> Works for hegemony
20
Q
Hegemony in the painting (1+2)
A
- Hegemony (..)
-> can see in the painting the total social authority of white Americans/ settlers over native Americans
-> Power relations are clear (weapons, diseases,…)
21
Q
Discourse in the Painting (1+4)
A
- All within the discourse (..) of westward expansion & American imperialism
-> This painting shows how the way we think about westwards expansion is being shaped & regulated
-> Creates subject of the native Americans as uncivilized people & white settlers as peaceful bringers of goodness & civilization
o Creates this contrast -> “othering”
-> The other is produced (through this painting) through different lighting -> dark & bright, uncivilized & civilized -> bad & good
22
Q
intersectionality in the painting
A
intersects with the concept of whiteness (..) & disability (..)
