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Pulp Fiction (1994) is a mesmerizing, violent and entertaining movie. It has a bizarre cast of characters, a nonlinear sequence of events and endless references to pop culture. The underlying theme of the movie, however, deals with religion and the transformation of two characters: Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Butch (Bruce Willis).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning of the film, Vincent (John Travolta) has returned from a stay in Amsterdam, and the conversation between Jules and Vincent deals with what Big Macs and Quarter Pounders are called in Europe. As the movie moves on, other references are the Fonz on Happy Days, Arnold the Pig on Green Acres, the band Flock of Seagulls, Caine from Kung Fu, TV pilots, and other such topics. At first viewing, these kinds of references seem to be a kind of comic relief set against the violence the audience witnesses on the screen. These brief, pop-culture symbols and icons are more than just comic relief. They are the way these characters make sense of their lives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In past centuries, people were â€Å"connected by something they saw as larger than themselves, most often religion, which would provide sense and meaning for their lives and which would help to determine the value of things.† (The Sage, p.10) Such a larger context is completely absent, however, from Jules’s and Vincent’s lives. This explains why the film is so saturated with these pop icons. The empty and subtle icon phrases are the reference points by which we now understand ourselves and each other. These references comes to a real climax when Vincent and Mia (Uma Thurman) visit Jack Rabbit Slim’s, where the host is Ed Sullivan, the singer is Ricky Nelson, the waiter is Buddy Holly, and the waitresses include Marilyn Monroe and Jane Mansfield. In the film, the pop cultural symbols are set into sudden words against a passage said to be from the Old Testament, Ezekiel 25:17: The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious... ...sp;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is also important to note how Butch is always returning. He seems doomed to return, perhaps to repeat things, until he gets it right. He must return to his apartment to get his watch. This come back is associated with his decision to become his enemy. There’s his return to the cellar to save Marsellus. There’s also his return to Knoxville–-where Butch has planned to escape after he doesn’t throw the fight. After he chooses the sword and saves Marsellus, Butch can rightfully return to Knoxville, now connected to his family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The big overall question that this movie asks us is that can our materialistic, disorderly, human relationships provide real and lasting meaning in our lives and in the world? Butch’s actions hint at an agreeable answer. With his newly completed bonds of family, friendship, and love, Butch may achieve at least some aspect of a meaningful existence. And as a result, we are made to think about our own lives, especially in today’s society full of pop culture icons and materialistic people. This movie brings up philosophical questions such as why we do certain things and what is the true value in our life.

The Beat That Stole My Heart

A Personal Narrative by Giuditta Paci. February 2nd, 2013. The Beat That Stole My Heart†¦ It seems like some things have never happened to me or I am an alien from some other distant planet. â€Å"Human beings† surprise me, make me cry, make me laugh and make me happy. That Saturday night, my â€Å"alien being† went out the house in desperate search of meaningful paths, beautiful smiles, the sounds of music and something that would make my heart beat just a little faster.Summer was almost over and I was thinking about how strange was the world and how could I possibly find someone to share some interesting conversation and a good dance before the warm and hazy summer nights will turn in to cold and lonely winter nights. It is not that I was broken hearted by the thought that my patience has come to its end, and that I may have to spend the last few weeks of summer wondering about a possible date that will never happen. I looked at the vast starry night-sky and cont inued to walked towards the Bar. I sat there thinking about how I wanted to be another person.I longed for interaction with the opposite sex. Eventually, I realized what my main problem was. I felt that I could not overcome all the â€Å"love† obstacles that life had made me face in the past. I recalled everything I have read in books about love as well as everything that I have experienced myself. In the books everything seemed to be much smoother and easier. My main thought was â€Å"how people can possibly spend their whole life together and stay in love? † specially after ending a ten year marriage only three months ago, and experiencing the big disappointment that love does not last forever.The music started and made me feel even more stupid: standing alone at the bar, listening to songs about love and relationships, without anyone here with me to dance or have a meaningful conversation with. I was ready to leave and call it a night. I decided to walk outside to b reath some air before departing. The summer wind woke me up from my dream and I took a deep breath and looked around. Suddenly I saw this attractive male. He was walking towards me†¦ As there was no one else outside, everyone was inside dancing and having a good time or so I thought.He definitely caught my attention. As he was getting closer I felt a strange sensation in my stomach†¦ I was nervous and didn’t understand why. I had never seen this person before and yet I felt this strange connection. He came up to me and said, â€Å"Hi! Are you enjoying the music? † I replied â€Å"Well, to be honest with you I wasn’t really paying attention. I was getting ready to leave. † This made him laugh for some reason. I felt a bit irritated as if he had broken my unity with nature and disturbed my thoughts with his presence and questions.All the sudden I took a good look at him. I hadn’t really before. He was relatively tall, dark hair, and deep bl ue eyes. His smile reminded me of those toothpaste TV commercials. A perfect smile. He had this smooth but primal Aura to him that made him very attractive and sexy. I could not clearly identify the age, but he looked like he was around 30-36 years old. He seemed so peaceful and yet so full of life and adventure, he was definitely in harmony with himself†¦ He had an edgy style. He was dressed appropriately for this type of event. He looked very much like a â€Å"rock star. Which made me even more curious about him, Part of me has always being attracted to that kind of â€Å"look† At that point I wanted to know who he was and where did he come from? I didn’t do a great job with that. Anyhow, this is how the rest of our conversation went. Me, â€Å"I think I should go home. It’s the same thing here every Saturday. I love being around people, but it’s always the same people. † –  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Him, â€Å"Well I guess you are right in a way†¦ Although tonight is different†¦ at least the music is†¦ You should come inside and check out the band. You may just change your mind. He looked at me, smiled, and made the gesture to follow him inside. I agreed to go with him to check out this â€Å"Band. † I thought about how kind of him to invite me in, at that moment I realized that we hadn’t exchanged names yet. I was now following a complete stranger without even knowing their name. That’s smart I thought! Once inside the venue, he went straight on to the stage and sat in front of the drum set. I was shocked. He was the drummer of the â€Å"band. † I have to be honest, I was a little embarrassed with the way I had acted when we were outside.At this point nothing mattered anymore. The music started playing, and I immediately got captivated by their sounds. My mood had completely shifted from a depressed moody bitch to completely happy girl! Now I was dancing to his beat. My body was moving along with this erotic and Alternative sound. I remember this energy rising thru my spine that made feel alive and aroused. In my mind he was playing for me, or at least that’s what It felt like to me. A couple of times I directed my gaze at him. He was so amazingly handsome and talented. I can honestly say I could see his soul.He was in a trance like state, just like Shamans when they chant or drum in ceremonies for people who are looking for a way to heal their souls. Now, I was now one of those souls. My soul was not only getting healed but my heart was falling in love. It was not only the music or the way he pulsated on the drums. There was a connection that I had never felt before. I could not understand at that very moment what was happening to me. That night I knew it was going to be the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life. Maybe after all†¦ Those winter nights may not be as cold and long as I thought they would be.

Mexican American Stereotypes - 1571 Words

Mexican-Americans are an essential part of the United States’ diverse mix of cultures. Although a prominent part of American culture, they are often repressed into stereotypes in literature. More often than not characteristics delegated to Mexican-Americans have negative connotations: poor, violent, alien, etc. This stems from years of tension between Mexico and America, whose relationship seems to be a never-ending cycle of highs and lows. Cultural critics recognize these problems and work towards equality within both literary and real culture. With each passing generation, the demographics of the United States progresses towards being a country without a majority race. Despite this, authors of realistic literature remain stagnant in†¦show more content†¦They live in an underprivileged section of Chicago in a raggedy house. This produces the single narrative’s misconception that Mexican-American people are lazy. Esperanza defends her unfavorable housing situat ion using trees, who â€Å"do not belong here but are here. Four raggedy excuses planted by the city† (Cisneros 74). The trees act as a representation of the confines society has placed on Latinxs; there is no possible way for the trees or the people to leave. Though moving away may seem voluntary, decades of governmental discrimination, such as redlining, keep them trapped in impoverished areas. Any group would rather live in a pleasant suburb to obviate the humiliation that Esperanza exemplifies when someone asks her, â€Å"You live there† (Cisneros 5)? This is unfair because the aesthetic appearance of her house is something she cannot control. Reading these inequalities allows Mexican-Americans to become familiar with their historic oppression, which lets them know their living conditions are not their fault (Hughes-Hassell 215). Soto delivers a powerful message about being born into discrimination as a minority in Fresno, California. His novel centers around Eddie, a Latino teenager who grapples with the day-to-day obstacles society places in front of him. In this novel, Soto showcases the institutionalized discrimination he faces through his relationship with law enforcement. Even though he isShow MoreRelatedStereotypical Images Of Mexican Americans And Black Americans909 Words   |  4 PagesStereotypical Images of Mexican Americans and Black Americans in the contemporary media? Angel Garcia Bakersfield College In today’s society judging races and ethnic groups have left stereotypical images on them. Stereotypical images are seen all over, even in contemporary media. Hispanic Americans and Black Americans are two ethnic groups that I’ve recognized on having that stereotypical image in the contemporary media. 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