The Chicago Fair's Lasting Impression 6/1

The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 had a very strong and lasting impression on America. One of the most important lasting impressions was changing how Americans viewed their cities and architects during that time period. Before the fair was built, the city of Chicago was described to be filled with disease, industrial environments, and unbearable noises. Overall the city was very stressful and dangerous for many citizens. The construction of the Chicago Fair transformed American perception towards their cities and architects. The architects of the Columbian Exposition focused on beauty and symbolism in their structures. Boats added to the Romantic feeling of the White City. Also the first aquarium was displayed at the fair. People realized that fish was not just food, but also magnificent and beautiful creatures. Furthermore, the fair explored very diverse worlds with food and music. At the fair there were wide varieties of food and drink, from Ireland, Germany, and Japan. People could buy wine from almost all the wine making companies in the world. Cigars and clean spring water were also sold. Since the fair brought diverse worlds together, it resulted in American understanding of diversity and brought them closer to achieving a lasting peace. The perception that Chicago was a filthy and industrial city was greatly altered thanks to the fair. The architects intended for the fair to be a relaxing and beautiful place for its visitors. The magnitude of effort and determination put into the construction of the Chicago Fair showed the world that almost anything is achievable if one has enough motivation to continue.

            The fair introduced many inventions that became incorporated into American culture. The Ferris wheel, created by Mr. Ferris, practically represents what a fair is today. Even if the fair is a small city event, the wheel is still used in the contemporary society to symbolize the success of the architectures of the Columbian Exposition. The tall, gigantic, and reinforced structure of the Chicago Fair’s Ferris wheel was truly a terrific accomplishment. Also, products such as Cracker Jack and Wrigley’s Gum were huge business partners in the Chicago Fair. However, gum and snacks were not new inventions, their new revolutionary advertising techniques defines the market of America today. Furthermore, the invention of the dishwasher revolutionized the sanitation concept and reduced the time it took to wash dishes. These new inventions in the fair were created to improve the lives of the American people.

            Many historical figures were influenced by the building of the fair. The famous Walt Disney was inspired to create fantasies of magic from stories of the fair. Walt’s father, Elias, told him about magical stories of the building of the fair. The impossible task of completing the construction by the time of the deadline, and the conflicts the architects faced with the structures was truly a test of will. The determination of the architects and miracle they experienced by finishing the fair is truly evident in the movies, television shows, and books, the famous Walt Disney created. 

Extravagance of the Fair 5/30

Larson writes "In a great blur of snow and silvery glass the building's roof—that marvel of late nineteenth-century hubris, enclosing the greatest volume of unobstructed space in history—collapsed to the floor below." This quote portrays the magnitude and meaning of the structures the architects are building. After the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building’s roof collapsed the architects felt that a piece of their pride was stripped away and that their goal to complete the fair seemed more impossible. Their motive to build something so extreme and unseen in the world propels them to continue this impossible task even when thrown more obstacles.

The entire fair itself is a true exhibition of American arrogance and superiority. The Columbian Exposition wanted to build the biggest fair in mankind and build a structure that beats the Eiffel Tower. They hired the best architects to design and build the extravagant structures and hired many cheap laborers for construction to meet the deadline time. One would think that this is a true sign of arrogance because they want to beat out other nations in construction and show off American national pride. Also, American architects wanted to show off their skills and superiority to other nation’s architects in construction by finding new and better methods to hold up structures and build them with speed. By demanding change and new solutions to problems, society always has an excess of pride. One person’s opinion may be different then another and this creates a clash between prides. This is very evident in building the Chicago Fair. Many proposals were considered when designing a structure to outmatch the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel also considered building another tower, but many times bigger. The architects declined his offer in a response of pride. They did not want the foreign replica of the Eiffel Tower, but something bigger and badder.

Such creative acts do create a darker, destructive parallel. Take for example the atomic bomb during World War II. Nuclear energy was a new and revolutionary technology during that time period. Research was conducted for the health, chemistry, and peaceful applications of nuclear energy. However, when the war broke out, the atomic bomb was created to kill a mass number of people instantly. Therefore, the application and pride taken in for researching nuclear energy was turned into a darker, destructive parallel. The Chicago fair was of similar fate as the atomic bomb. The creation of the fair was intended to serve people as a time for relaxation and fun, where they could get clean water and see extravagant things. The problem with the fair is that it brought a whole bunch of people together in a time period where security and safety were not big especially in Chicago. The police predicted a high rate of crimes at the fair for this reason, but the murders of H.H. Holmes were not considered. The expedition hoped for the fair to be a symbol of change and freedom in America, but their excessive pride towards the project brought evil. 

Extravagance of the Fair 5/30

Larson writes "In a great blur of snow and silvery glass the building's roof—that marvel of late nineteenth-century hubris, enclosing the greatest volume of unobstructed space in history—collapsed to the floor below." This quote portrays the magnitude and meaning of the structures the architects are building. After the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building’s roof collapsed the architects felt that a piece of their pride was stripped away and that their goal to complete the fair seemed more impossible. Their motive to build something so extreme and unseen in the world propels them to continue this impossible task even when thrown more obstacles.

The entire fair itself is a true exhibition of American arrogance and superiority. The Columbian Exposition wanted to build the biggest fair in mankind and build a structure that beats the Eiffel Tower. They hired the best architects to design and build the extravagant structures and hired many cheap laborers for construction to meet the deadline time. One would think that this is a true sign of arrogance because they want to beat out other nations in construction and show off American national pride. Also, American architects wanted to show off their skills and superiority to other nation’s architects in construction by finding new and better methods to hold up structures and build them with speed. By demanding change and new solutions to problems, society always has an excess of pride. One person’s opinion may be different then another and this creates a clash between prides. This is very evident in building the Chicago Fair. Many proposals were considered when designing a structure to outmatch the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel also considered building another tower, but many times bigger. The architects declined his offer in a response of pride. They did not want the foreign replica of the Eiffel Tower, but something bigger and badder.

Such creative acts do create a darker, destructive parallel. Take for example the atomic bomb during World War II. Nuclear energy was a new and revolutionary technology during that time period. Research was conducted for the health, chemistry, and peaceful applications of nuclear energy. However, when the war broke out, the atomic bomb was created to kill a mass number of people instantly. Therefore, the application and pride taken in for researching nuclear energy was turned into a darker, destructive parallel. The Chicago fair was of similar fate as the atomic bomb. The creation of the fair was intended to serve people as a time for relaxation and fun, where they could get clean water and see extravagant things. The problem with the fair is that it brought a whole bunch of people together in a time period where security and safety were not big especially in Chicago. The police predicted a high rate of crimes at the fair for this reason, but the murders of H.H. Holmes were not considered. The expedition hoped for the fair to be a symbol of change and freedom in America, but their excessive pride towards the project brought evil. 

"Evils Imminent" Devil in the White City

          In the note "Evils Imminent," Erik Larson writes "Beneath the gore and smoke and loam, this book is about the evanescence of life, and why some men choose to fill their brief allotment of time engaging the impossible, others in the manufacture of sorrow" The authors purpose of including the note “Evils Imminent” directly at the beginning of the novel is to juxtapose the two main characters and establish that the story is non fiction and supported with strong facts and quotes. He also establishes that the novel takes place during the end of the nineteenth century, which is important because it was an industrial and dark time for struggling America. Larson directly compares and contrasts Burnham, an architect, and H.H Holmes, a serial killer. His compare and contrast in itself conveys the idea of good versus evil in the novel. Burnham is an architect faced with an immense challenge, to build the largest fair the world has never seen before. The challenges he faces could also represent evil such as union workers trying to prevent the exposition in protest to not hiring them, or the multiple building structure conflicts and domestic problems with architects. Burnham’s pursuit to build an almost impossible fair with a harsh deadline could symbolize good and America’s perspective to seek change.

         

            On the other hand, Holmes is established to be a serial killer. However, Larson notes that he was an archetype of the urban serial killer. Like Burnham, who left a strong impression on American architecture with his structures and the fair, Holmes left a strong impression on the typical murderer through his methods and wit. Larson further relates the two men by stating that Holmes did most of his killings at the Chicago Fair. Burnham intended the fair to be a symbol of American pride, where people in a dark time can go to have fun and relax. However the fair attracted such evil, especially in Holmes, because crimes were easy to commit there.

            Burnham and Holmes are similar in the way that they are very good at what they do although I wouldn’t consider Holmes to have a profession that is appropriate in society. Also, they have a very strong passion for their profession. They are different in a sense that Burnham pursuits his goal of building American structures for the good of mankind and the benefit of others. Holmes murders people for his self satisfaction and pleasure that he developed during his childhood years. Holmes is considered to be a charming, handsome guy who can talk his way out of anything. At first glance he is an ordinary man that is popular with the ladies and successful with his false business. He accumulates many debts by purchasing items through credit for his business and hiring workers then firing them. It is strange how police or other people could not catch his crimes any sooner. Maybe his actions represent how society tends to not get involved in the nasty actions of daily life. However, Burnham represents the portion of society that wants change and bigger and better things. The fair brings hope to a society that deals with evil forces everyday such as disease, murder, etc. Although critics claimed that his deadline was impossible, he still pursued to finish the exposition despite many challenges. 

Political, Racial, Satire

 In the contemporary society, satire is used in various ways to criticize social and political philosophies. Major methods used to display satire include television shows, movies, and radio broadcasts. Also books, articles, and blogs use satire to form a bias or convey to the reader an overall message. Whether it is criticizing the government administration, or stereotypes of race, satire could be looked at as either a reasonable joke or a provoking attack. However, considering the current state of the world, humor can be widely appreciated.

One example of a political satire is the extremely popular television show Saturday Night Live. Saturday Night Live or SNL for short incorporates many satirical jokes in their skits that both criticizes and mocks the political and social aspects of the United States. In the television show, the actor Will Ferrell takes on the roll of the preceding president of the United States, George W. Bush and which the show characterizes him as an unintelligent and dim-witted person. Will Ferrell as Bush says, “I start my day thinking about the warming of the globe and how we can get it warmer” and, “it seems that liberals and godless tax raisers are trying to make me look bad, by using such things as facts and scientific data” However the fact that Bush is unintelligent could go beyond discussion and debate between the people. The mocking of George W. Bush truly reflects the feelings of the American people towards the Bush Administration. The Bush Administration is characterized to be weak and unprofessional through the persona of George W. Bush as displayed by Will Ferrell. Maybe the reason people criticize President Bush was for the action of declaring war on Saddam Hussein in Iraq based on little to no evidence of the supporting cause of possessions of mass destruction. Or that he permitted the inhumane methods of torture to gain valuable information. Or that he reacted to the disasters of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina with little to no urgency and did not deal with the matters immediately. All these facts sum up the reasons of hostility towards the Bush Administration. However, at the age I was when these skits came out, I had very little knowledge on the political ideologies of the United States. My opinion of the president was shifted to a cynical nature because how he was represented in the show. In a sense the satirical methods used to humiliate Bush, had me more informed and involved in politics. Another example of political satire is the article “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift. In this article, Swift sarcastically proposed the absurd scheme of resulting to cannibalism to solve the poverty issue in Dublin, Ireland. Throughout the whole article he gives hints of mockery that should indicate that his proposal is not valid and that there is a bigger meaning. Such as how people will eventually love the taste of human meat, and that they could use their skin as clothing. This in fact should indicate that the proposal is invalid because it not only ridicules people as savages, but it also implies that there are no moral standards in modern society. In reality, Swift wanted to criticize the Irish government and how they were dealing with the poverty issue or lack of. He clearly displays this by including solutions, which he jokes should not compare to cannibalism, such as lowering taxes and putting in the trust that if people get more involved in the political and economic factors in Ireland would increase the overall wealth of the nation.       It is highly debated that the incorporation of political satire in television shows and others would promote the changes of attitude in politics such as elections and political parties. However, political satire can also get people more involved in politics because it stirs emotions and in a way make people feel more politically involved.

On the other hand, racial satire is of distinct differences than political satire. In racial satire the author or actor is trying to establish an ironic mockery of racism that confronts the social issues in the world. Another example of a television show that used satire, but primarily dealt with racial satire was the Chappelle’s Show. The Chappelle’s Show was composed of skits that used stereotypes of races with intent to point out the absurdity of the racism and for the audience to better understand it. In the show Dave Chappelle plays a character named Tyrone Biggums, who is a black drug addict, he says “Why do you think I carjacked you, Rhonda?” and “That's impossible, Rhonda. How can you sleep when you're high on crack? Chinese riddle for you.” Tyrone is portrayed as a low life criminal and what he says and does is exaggerated to be what the majority of blacks are criticized to be like in society. The show emphasizes racism and stereotypes in a silly way in hopes that the audience will understand that they are aiming for a satirical effect rather then that of a serious and attacking nature. However it is reported by the words of Dave Chappelle himself that some white folks did not understand the satirical effect he was trying to accomplish. Instead they believed that he was actually humiliating the black race and his jokes were of all seriousness in the degrading of the black community. This resulted in the cancellation of The Chappelle’s Show because Dave felt there was too much pressure and hostility towards his parodies which he hoped to expose the stereotypical and racial ideologies of the world. However, others did understand the racial satire which The Chappelle’s Show was trying to accomplish. For me, the show taught me a lot about racial discrimination and stereotypes. As a Filipino, I have encountered racial discrimination in my life. Understanding racism is very important in the society. The fact that almost everyone in the world does not matter which race, is discriminated against and stereotyped at some point in their life deprives the hostile effect of racism in that the society has developed. The Chappelle’s Shows exposed this societal racism and unified different races. I believe Dave Chappelle should bring back his show for the good of mankind. 

Blog 3 "A Modest Proposal"

Upon the first glance and quick read-through of “A Modest Proposal” by Dr. Jonathan Swift, I was appalled by the contents and ideas displayed throughout the whole essay. Being most concerning to me was the reasoning and logic the author used which was certainly most unpleasant and pathetic. He starts off saying that the idea he is proposing had been maturely thought out for years.  Despite the actual meaning of his reasoning and examples, which should appear bizarre to the average person, his essay has a structure of persuasion that significantly convinces the reader to adjourn poverty in Ireland by taking action. Swift satirically proposes that the Irish people mass produce babies and use them as food and clothing to solve the problem of poverty in the nation. However, the true purpose of his essay was to attack the government in Ireland and their handling of famine. After knowing Swift’s true intent of his modest proposal, I could point out the parts of his writings that criticize the government and the people.

At times I could not tell whether Swift was being sarcastic in his persuasions or actually had true intent. At first I thought his proposals of eating babies and forcing women the burden of giving away their own blood, family, to random strangers as food was true to his purpose of the essay. Swift states “at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents…contribute to the feeding and partly to the cloathing of many thousands.” That statement he makes seemed to be affirmed strongly through his word choice as if he is demanding the attention of the readers. Thus including sophisticated writing and words, he makes the proposal of mass producing babies for food to solve the economic problem seem more plausible. The author then goes in to deeper persuasion by contributing examples of effects his proposal will bring solving the problem of poverty in Ireland. Such as poor children will end up turning to crime as a livelihood therefore parents should get rid of them. Also the reasoning that his proposal will lead to the decrease of the poor population thus benefiting everyone else. However, he goes even farther saying that “The skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.” He proposes that people shall use the skin of human babies as clothing which seems ridiculous, but it seems as if he is characterizing the desperation of the Irish people. Swift characterizes the Irish people as savages and animals by proposing that they skin babies and use them as clothes. It made me think whether or not they would actually do something so inhumane and unconstitutional. Considering the situation over there in Dublin, maybe they would do something so harsh for survival. Also Swift goes into the taste and elegance human food will bring into society. “that a young healthy child well nursed, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.” Now his writing seems to have satirical meaning because he is describing human meat to be the next best thing bringing class and taste into society. He goes somewhat off the topic of solving poverty because instead of human meat providing the necessity of living, it will further style. It seems as if Swift included this statement to be emphasized as a less serious argument to point out that he is indeed being sarcastic to his “proposal”. Throughout his whole essay he uses many examples and arguments to support his proposals, which I again repeat was appalling to me. However the most emphasized part of the essay would have to be the conclusion. In the Conclusion Swift states, “I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, my wife past child-bearing.” The author contradicts all what that had been talked about in the essay by basically saying that he can’t abide by his own plan because he is unable to. Whether his statement is true or not, it assures that his proposal should not be taken seriously. Furthermore, he goes into real solutions of poverty near the end of the essay such as taxing, learning to love the nation, no factions, trusting spirit of industry and skill in shopkeepers, temperance, but satirically says that these measures would not challenge his proposal.

Heroism Blog 2

In the contemporary society, the definition of a hero has been inscribed to be a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. A modern hero is perceived to be strong, courageous, and noble in personality.  Author Ernest Hemingway defined a code of ethics for these acts of heroism, the most important tenet being that a brave hero exhibits "grace under pressure." This means that in difficult situations, especially mortal ones, the hero handles himself assuredly and confronts danger head on. In the novel The Sun Also Rises, the author portrays a hero according to Hemmingway’s definition. The protagonist, Romero, through courageous and moral ethics, creates this persona of a “moral” hero. In the Sun Also Rises, Hemingway’s emphasis on the moral and social conflicts of Ramero reflects that of a modern hero.

In The Sun Also Rises, Romero develops as a protagonist through his characteristics and qualities which Hemingway spotlights as “moral” heroism. Jake, the main character, is the opposite of Romero. He was in the war and part of the “Lost Generation” the group of people affected morally and socially by World War I. Jake consumes alcohol on a daily basis, parties all the time, and is entangled with love affairs thus proving he is morally corrupt. During the introduction of Romero, Jake, the main character, praises him, “This was a real one. There had not been a real one for a long time. Of the other matadors, one was very fair and the other was passable.”  Romero was a traditional bull fighter thus he believed in the traditional morals and ethics of the past era, not tampered by the war. His character is described to be pure, strong willed, and also he takes utmost passion in his work, bullfighting. Thus the author Ernest Hemingway utilizes the comparison of Jake’s corrupt morals to that of Romero’s pure spirit to portray a message of heroism to the readers through their interactions. Most importantly, Jake develops a sense of idealism towards Romero because of the qualities he displays during bullfighting and interaction with the so called tampered society without becoming corrupt. As a main character, Jake transforms near the end of the novel especially his moral ethics in result of Romero being represented as an ideal figure. Thus Romero would be considered Hemingway’s display of heroism in the novel The Sun Also Rises. Romero’s stand as a hero would be his opposition to the developing moral standards of the Lost Generation and the factor of being a role model to the main character Jake.

In Comparison to the heroism portrayed by Hemingway of Romero, the modern society of today standardizes heroism as a big feat or accomplishment that generally requires a group of witnesses and the intention of saving the day to be considered an act of heroism. The news is a main source of recognition to a hero. Hundreds of big stories are regulated across the world, saving a house, saving a cat, even saving a person, are the only news to make it to the top headlines. These courageous and noble acts need to have spectators to be recognized as heroism. Especially police forces, fire departments, and hospitals, are all considered fields that breed heroes into the world. Superman is a prime example of a hero right? He is extremely strong, fast, and for the women handsome. He also saves all the citizens of metropolis. Comic books, television shows, all portray heroes to be of cunning features and noble personality. However, in my opinion this statement is true, but also has its faults. In my opinion the best heroes who contribute more to society than those expecting glory, are people who do noble deeds without thought or when they do not expect it. This can apply to anyone, helping an old lady across the street, or even letting a car pass you without conflict, these are the deeds that require recognition. Because if more people start to do heroic deeds without the intention or thought; the world will be bursting full of heroes to make the world a better place.