This thesis aims to investigate the prosthetic memories generated by the movie ''The Birth of a Nation'' made in 1915 by D.W. Griffith. The theory of prosthetic memory, conceived by Allison...Show moreThis thesis aims to investigate the prosthetic memories generated by the movie ''The Birth of a Nation'' made in 1915 by D.W. Griffith. The theory of prosthetic memory, conceived by Allison Landsberg, claims that the advent of mass culture has given rise to a new type of collective memory that can reach a broader audience than has been possible thus far. As such, it can potentially be politically progressive by enhancing mutual understanding between different groups. A close reading will be executed and subsequently considered in two sociopolitical contexts: that of 1915 when the film was issued, and the present. This is done because the sociopolitical values between these two eras with regard to race-based discrimination are significantly different, which in turn impacts the nature of the prosthetic memories generated. The thesis statement is, in that light, that the sociopolitical context in which a prosthetic memory is generated determines whether the memory is politically progressive or regressive. Landsberg has argued that prosthetic memories can be politically progressive but neither she has pointed at the importance of the sociopolitical context to this, nor has any other scholar. As such, the argument made in this thesis could potentially supplement Landsberg's theory.Show less
Native American logos, mascots, and slang names in sport contribute negatively to the traumatic memory of Native Americans. The stereotypical nature of these logos force the Native American...Show moreNative American logos, mascots, and slang names in sport contribute negatively to the traumatic memory of Native Americans. The stereotypical nature of these logos force the Native American community not only to adhere to a western view of Native Americans, but it also undermines Native Americans to actively retell their own story and therefore change this western view. This thesis contributes to the academic discussion by showing the case of the NFL-team The Washington Redskins. By analysing the logo and name of The Washington Redskins, this thesis shows how this team contributes negatively to the traumatic memory of Native Americans. As a conclusion, this thesis argues that, first of all, the stereotypical logo and name of The Washington Redskins change the narrative memory of Native Americans. Second of all, the commodification of the logo and name together with Barthes concept of myth keep the Native American community from telling their own narrative. To give the Native American community the chance to heal their traumatic memory, Native American logos, mascots, and slang names should therefore be excluded from not only sport, but from all media that includes these stereotypes.Show less
The agon is the democratic political arena in which all social groups are meant to participate in. Historically, however, certain social groups have been systematically denied this access to the...Show moreThe agon is the democratic political arena in which all social groups are meant to participate in. Historically, however, certain social groups have been systematically denied this access to the agon. Using Chantal Mouffe's theory of agonism and antaongism I will explore a new term, anti-agonism, to demonstrate how certain groups violently deny other groups this access. The two key periods involved are political protests surrounding Selma (1965) as well as key protests surrounding Ferguson (2014). Anti-agonism is always based on the othering and dehumanization of others, in this case it is othering of African Americans by White Americans, specifically police and state officials. This framing of African Americans as the Other allows for anti-agonism to thrive. This paper aims to reframe the conflict, illustrating that the problem is not whether disenfranchised social groups attempt to access the agon peacefully or through violence, but the response to that is problematic. While disenfranchised groups are othered, it remains difficult for them to partake in the political arena.Show less
Although assuming specific ethnic groups are essentially alike is often inaccurate, modern-day academia still does not consider the distinctiveness of Asian Americans. As this generalization...Show moreAlthough assuming specific ethnic groups are essentially alike is often inaccurate, modern-day academia still does not consider the distinctiveness of Asian Americans. As this generalization extends to the cultural identities and war trauma of Asian Americans, this thesis asks "How the war trauma of Japanese Americans on one hand and Korean Americans on the other was formulated and addressed differently in the U.S.?" This research question intends to challenge academia's assumption of homogeneity among ethnic groups by discovering differences within the same ethnic group to exemplify the inaccuracies inherent in homogenization. This thesis explores the war trauma of Korean Americans and Japanese Americans through three steps: finding the origin of each group’s trauma by looking at each groups' historical backgrounds, researching the concept of ‘political silence’ to understand how each group’s trauma was prevented from healing differently, and investigating how each group’s trauma and silence were overcome by examining each group's generation of ‘prosthetic memory’ by analyzing pertinent exhibitions. Results indicated that despite their external similarities, each group’s trauma is differentiated by various characteristics. In exploring each group's uniquenesses, this thesis will suggest and help develop a more constructive research.Show less
Commonly, Jewish Broadway plays are described in superficial readings as kitsch. However, this thesis claims that the theatre had a crucial role for the Jewish community between 1880 and 1930. By...Show moreCommonly, Jewish Broadway plays are described in superficial readings as kitsch. However, this thesis claims that the theatre had a crucial role for the Jewish community between 1880 and 1930. By engaging in the academic debate of memory studies, this thesis argues that memory had three main functions in Jewish Broadway plays: (1) the healing of traumatic memory through the interaction in performance,(2) the creation of a community bond and identity as well as (3) the facilitation of transcultural and intergenerational understanding. Therefore, this thesis illustrates how an artistic environment can facilitate the integration process of immigrants by connecting the old with the new homeland.Show less
This thesis examines the representation of female Presidents of the United States in popular culture. This thesis asks how these fictional depictions relate to the cultural understanding of the...Show moreThis thesis examines the representation of female Presidents of the United States in popular culture. This thesis asks how these fictional depictions relate to the cultural understanding of the actual office, and in particular how the characterization of these female Presidents reflects and challenges the public perception of the presidency as a masculine institution. To this end this thesis investigates Commander in Chief's portrayal of President Mackenzie Allen, State of Affairs’ depiction of President Constance Payton and House of Cards’ characterization of President Claire Hale Underwood with a focus on the presidents’ rise to power, their marriages and modes of motherhood, their issue competency and crisis management, and their femininity.Show less
This thesis explores how two novels lead the white liberal reader to recognize institutional racism in the American context. The main argument is that these novels, The Sellout by Paul Beatty (2015...Show moreThis thesis explores how two novels lead the white liberal reader to recognize institutional racism in the American context. The main argument is that these novels, The Sellout by Paul Beatty (2015) and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2013), redefine racism and how it functions in society for a white liberal audience. These novels guide the reader to compare two different definitions of racism, and how they operate in American society.Show less
In my BA thesis I analyze two novels, The House of Mirth by Wharton and The Yellow Wallpaper by Gilman. I illustrate how the novels describe that women needed personal autonomy and how they wanted...Show moreIn my BA thesis I analyze two novels, The House of Mirth by Wharton and The Yellow Wallpaper by Gilman. I illustrate how the novels describe that women needed personal autonomy and how they wanted to escape patriarchal oppression. In order to do so I distinguish two selves within the female protagonists, namely the rebellious self and the obedient self. The rebellious self wants to break free from patriarchal oppression and its gender roles, whereas the obedient self adheres to these societal standards. Whilst analyzing these two selves in the novels, a link will be established between these selves and gothic imagery in order to illustrate women's precarious position in the American Victorian era.Show less
As a response to America's mainstream trend towards conformism in the 1950s and 60s, several subcultures arose, among the first of which was the Beat movement. While this movement consisted mostly...Show moreAs a response to America's mainstream trend towards conformism in the 1950s and 60s, several subcultures arose, among the first of which was the Beat movement. While this movement consisted mostly of men, there were also female Beatniks. Because these female Beatniks faced marginalization and alienation from within the Beat movement, as well as in traditional society, I will argue that they became more socially aware and driven to rebellion against conformity than their male counterparts, which makes these women the true embodiments of the ideals and actions of the Beat generation. Since the scope of this thesis does will not allow for extensive research on a range of Beat women, this thesis will explore the lives and works of two important female Beatniks; Diane di Prima (1934) and Hettie Jones (1934). By examining Di Prima’s and Jones’ literary output, the rebellion and marginalization found in their literary works can be put into historical context based on the examination of (auto)biographical texts.Show less
