Music Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Music Anthropology - Essay Example What's more, since the 1930s there has been an insubordinate sub control of human science called 'basic hypothesis' whose affirmed reason for existing is to uncover the activities of philosophy in regular daily existence, uncovering 'uncritically' acknowledged convictions thus coming back to people the ability to choose for themselves what they will accept for, by introducing themselves as essentially 'the status quo', belief systems smother the very presence of choices. Basic Theory created to turn into a far reaching method of culture investigate whose impacts have been felt in disciplines as differed as artistic examinations, film and media contemplates, craftsmanship history- - and, all the more as of late, musicology. Theodor Adorno, one of the originators of basic hypothesis, was a humanist as well as a cultivated artist (he contemplated sythesis with Schoenberg's most celebrated student, Alban Berg), and he composed as much on music as he did on social science. Basic hypothesi s is basically a hypothesis of intensity, and it sees power generally as far as the establishments through which it is diverted. In musicology, this methodology has animated authentic examination into the development of the ordinance (the repertory of masterworks in plain view in the melodic historical center) and the job of melodic foundations in building, keeping up, and naturalizing this group. However, you can see the procedure at work today in the most significant of such foundations, those at which music is educated (schools, centers, and colleges). It is generally evident in the repositioning of rock inside the foundation. Pittman evoked the particular, previous ideological talk of awesome. While on a superficial level 'awesome music' is a nonpartisan mark that recognizes a specific sort of music, it likewise involves a lot of ideological presumptions about music creation and public activity. Rock rose as a melodic sort, yet an arrangement of talk through which the impacts of the commercialization of music and the industrialization of music creation can be arranged, and by which social disparities can be enacted in a social field. In an ideological division suggestive of the high culture or mainstream society qualification, rock talk produced a chain of command inside well known music by making a structure of significant worth against which 'pop' music could be cheapened. Rock was made to remain as a higher type of well known music, as the delegate of craftsmanship and cunning. The commercialization and industrialization of music has drastically changed the manner by which music is made. Music creation is sorted out around the fragmenting of inventive procedures and a progressive type of aggregate creation that includes more makers and more phases of creation. To make music inside the music business, artists work with various individuals lyricists whose melodies are picked for their collection (in the occasion the artist doesn't compose the material); makers of collections; architects of tunes; record organization authorities who direct discharge dates of collections and singles and handle showcasing and dissemination; and, most as of late, chiefs of video advancement. The division of individual makers into classes of innovative work is an element of the mechanical method of separated work and assists industry with keeping up power over creation. It is essential to the

Employer Policies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Manager Policies - Essay Example In view of moral premise, a business ought to give retirement plans to the representatives. A model is the 401 (k) plan or the IRA plan that is generally appropriate for independent ventures (Steingold, 2015, p. 118). A business, in any case, ought not guarantee a worker a particular pay level after retirement. Rather, a worker wins their commitment to the arrangement. In view of good administrative aptitudes, a business ought to think about all the authoritative prerequisites. That conforms to the ERISA that expects businesses to have plan overseers. Taking part representatives must have a duplicate of the synopsis plan depiction, rundown yearly report and survivor inclusion information. A business must not neglect to document Form 5500 with the IRS, yearly (Steingold, 2015, p. 122). A key business arrangement in the field of innovation the executives is the Affordable Health Care Act. The Act has assorted legitimate, moral and administrative measurements. It is useful to ladies through on the grounds that it gives protection choices to ladies covering preventive administrations at moderate expenses. It is reasonable for youthful grown-ups through its inclusion gave to them up to when they are 26 years old. There are a few advantages from the different yearly wellbeing visits gave under the Act. What's more, there are preventive administrations offered for seniors who have Medicare. Cutting edge administrator or director profits by arrangements of the Act that places responsibility to insurance agencies for any expansion in premium by

Blog Archive Mission Admission Choosing Safe Recommenders

Blog Archive Mission Admission Choosing “Safe” Recommenders Mission Admission is a series of MBA admission tips; a new one is posted each Tuesday. Given that you still have significant time before next year’s first-round application deadlines, you have the opportunity to take some steps now to ensure you submit your strongest applications possible. One such step is doing some background work on your recommenders to make sure your choices are indeed “safe.”   After all, if you are playing by the strictest interpretation of the rules of recommendations, you will not get to see what your recommenders ultimately write about you. So, by doing a little intelligence work in advance, you can better understand whether you are choosing the right person, before you commit to a certain individual. By doing some “intelligence,” we meanâ€"where possibleâ€"contacting past colleagues in a discreet and diplomatic way to find out what their experiences were like with your potential recommender. For example, was your potential recommender a generous advocate or was he/she a disinterested third party who had a tendency to be harsh? Clearly, learning more about your target   recommender’s approach in advance can help you understand whether or not you should offer him/her this important responsibility. Past colleagues can also guide you in how best to  manage  your recommenders, which can be just as important as choosing them. Knowing up front that your recommender is a procrastinator or performed better after being given a list of accomplishments from which to work can help ensure the best letter possible and can prevent you from inadvertently antagonizing your recommender  or delaying the process. Share ThisTweet Mission Admission

The Crusades Essays - 897 Words

THE CRUSADES Many great civilizations went into a depression after they had their golden age. One of these civilizations was the Western Europe civilization. After the fall of Rome the Western Europe civilization went into the dark ages while Eastern Europe called the Byzantine Empire prospered. Western Europe was brought out of the dark ages by the crusades. The crusades were the one thing that brought Western Europe out of the crusades After Rome fell Western Europe had lost their civilization. All they did all day was work and pray. They did not enjoy any of the pleasures of life. The people of Western Europe needed protection from Germanic tribes that would take their crops and attack people. The people of Western Europe could not†¦show more content†¦Gregory De Villehardouin wrote† Those who took the cross will help defend it† When the people of Western Europe heard about the attack on the Muslims the left the manors and went to fight the crusades. The serfs and nobles went to fight the crusades. The serfs were promised freedom if the fought and survived the crusades. When they passed though the city of Byzanthium and the Muslim Empire they saw goods they have never seen before. Some of these goods were silk, spices, and salts. Gregory VII wrote† many Christians came upon Constantinople with open eyes† When they got to Jerusalem they fought the crusades. The crusades lasted for many years. There was not only one crusade there was about seven crusades. The crusaders only won the first crusades and after the last crusades they thought it was hopeless and abounded fighting the crusades. Nicetas Choniates account of the battle field after the crusades was â€Å" Many nobles lay dead the must have been over 12,000 lifeless bodies on the field† When the crusaders return to Western Europe not much had changed. But now the serfs had there freedom and almost all the nobles lay dead. When the people of Western Europe saw these goods they were amazed. They had never seen these goods in there life and soon became accustomed to them. Because of the high demand for these new products many people began trading with the Muslim Empire. Now with the trading people began to move into cities again and to created shops. WithShow MoreRelatedThe First Crusade And The Crusade1192 Words   |  5 PagesThe first crusade started in autumn of 1095. Pope Urban II initiated the first crusade by calling upon his Christians to reclaim the city of Jerusalem. The Crusade was also meant to seek revenge on the followers of Islam. The followers were accused of committing crimes against â€Å"Christendom†. Pope Urbans crusade was made possible by the work of St. Augustine on Christian Violence in the past. Many Christians joined the crusade becau se the Pope promised rewards for the afterlife. After the fourthRead MoreThe Second Crusade And The Third Crusade1896 Words   |  8 Pagesthe facts for what they are. After much discussion and exploration, we figure that the third crusade actually did follow the principles of Christianity to some extent. Portions of the third crusade were definitely morally wrong and conflicted against the teachings of Christianity, but not all of it fell out of order in which the foundation upon which Christianity was built. At the beginning, the Third Crusade was called under the belief that by reclaiming the Holy Land of Jerusalem, the ChristiansRead MoreThe Children s Crusade : A Crusade Of The Holy Land859 Words   |  4 PagesThe brief campaign of the thirteen-century Children’s crusade was not technically a crusade in the sense that medieval Europeans understood the term and lasted only a few months during the year 1212. It lacked Papal sanction and its participants marched without the customary indulgences granted to those engaged in warfare to defend the Faith. Uncharacteristic as it was, the Children’s Crusade was a revealing chapter in medieval history, as it exemplified the depths of crusading zeal along with theRead MoreThe First Crusade And The Crusades1974 Words   |  8 PagesAs the historian John Riley Smith points out â€Å"The First Crusade was a violent and brutal episode during which the crusaders cut out a swathe of suffering through Europe and Western Asia.† In this description of the First Crusade (1095/6- 1099) Smith makes it difficult for us to see and, or uncover any elements of pilgrimage in the crusaders actions. However, there are many different ways in which the crusades have been described, the historian Christopher Tyerman on the other hand, steers towardsRead MoreThe Crusade Of The Children s Crusade861 Words   |  4 PagesDuring the early 13th century, while the wars against he Albigensians were occurring, crusade preaching became integral aspect of life in parts of Germany and northern France. On top of the already present religious fervor the most of Europe had, these preachings drove people to act on their devoutness to God. The Children’s Crusade, which was a popular religious movement in Europe during 1212, was a movement in which thousands of youth assembled and took crusading vows, their objective was to recoverRead MoreThe Crusades : The First Crusade Essay1995 Words   |  8 Pagesthe Crusades, I only com e out of them with a vague understanding of the situation. So, I sought out to gain a greater understanding through the vision of the question, Was the first crusade a success, and if so, what made it a success? Using The Crusades: A Reader, specifically the writings and documents from pages 33-79, I will make a decision based on specific occurrences and their ultimate goal (CITE SOURCE WITH FULL CITATION).I plan on picking out important aspects of the first crusade andRead MoreThe World Of The Crusades1518 Words   |  7 Pageslearning about the crusades. The people, weapons, food, diseases, and technological advances (or disadvantages since it was the Dark Age) were all taught to us and now it is time to put it to the test. We learned that the crusades affected all three religions that have ties to Jerusalem, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. We watched Kingdom of Heaven, a historical fiction movie based on the crusades. The time of the story that we see is based between the seco nd and third crusade. Although the movieRead MoreImpact of the Crusades642 Words   |  3 Pagesthe Crusades The Crusades were a very important part of history. It has been said that The Crusades are what started the beginning of modernization. Not only were they what started the beginning of modernization, they also had many impacts on Europe. The four major areas of impact on Europe were in the Economic, Political, Social, and Religious parts. Though all the areas were impacted, not all were good impacts. One of the areas that will be focused on is the Economic area. The Crusades wereRead MoreThe First Crusade During The Crusades1721 Words   |  7 Pageshe subject of the crusades is still a very controversial topic that spans across various time periods and has religious, social, and political implications. The first crusade started off as a widespread pilgrimage that ended as a military expedition resulting in the recapture of Jerusalem in 1099. The crusades initiated from a call from help from Alexius for the protection of Constantinople and the recovery of Anatolia. For centuries textbooks have repeated with routine regularity, that the immediateRead MoreCrusades and the Church Essay549 Words   |  3 PagesCrusades and the Church At the time of the Crusades, the official church had become corrupt and politically motivated. It should be noted, too, that crusaders did not take vows to go on crusade. The very term crusade, in English or in any other language, is a much later invention. What we call crusades, contemporaries knew as pilgrimages or even simply journeys. Aside from a tiny elite, people were illiterate and even if they could read, there was no access to a Bible or any scriptural

Analysis Of Ready Player One By Ernest Cline - 856 Words

The novel, Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline, follows Wade Watts, or Parzival, and Nolan Sorrento, two very different characters, Wade Watts, or Parzival, and Nolan Sorrento. Using a structuralist critique, Parzival and Sorrento differ in the amount of knowledge each possesses on James Halliday and how much violence each will use to obtain the egg, yet they both share a strong determination to discover the egg. Nolan Sorrento will kill innocent people in order to obtain the egg, while Parzival does not want to harm anyone. Furthermore, Parzival is extremely knowledgeable on James Halliday, while Sorrento cheats by hiring people to study Halliday for him. However, both Parzival and Sorrento are exceptionally determined to find the egg.†¦show more content†¦While Parzival does not wish to hurt anybody in the contest for Halliday’s fortune, Sorrento is not opposed to killing people if it will benefit his chances of winning. During Parzival’s meeting with Sorrento , Sorrento threatens to kill Parzival if he does not help the Sixers. Sorrento says he will blow up Wade’s trailer, which is full of other people, just to take him out of the contest. Parzival thinks â€Å"[Sorrento] had to be bluffing†¦ They would never kill all those innocent people just to get me† (142). Parzival himself would never hurt anybody to win the contest, so he is shocked to discover that Sorrento will not hesitate to murder random people to get ahead. Once Parzival accuses Sorrento of lying about the explosives, Sorrento states â€Å"‘No Wade. I’m not†¦ There are billions of dollars at stake here†¦ This is much more than a videogame contest’† (143-144). Sorrento proceeds to blow up Wade’s trailer, not killing Wade, yet ending the lives of many innocent people with no regret or guilt. Wade, peaceful and not out for blood, contrasts greatly with Sorrento, who intends to mercilessly kill any gunter who stands in his way of victory. Parzival and Sorrento alike are devoted to the hunt and determined to be the first to find the egg. After the Sixers explode Wade’s trailer, he changes his name and moves to a safe apartment. Once he settles into his new home, Wade â€Å"made a silent vow to [himself] not to go outside again until [he] hadShow MoreRelatedLiterary Analysis : Ready Player One By Ernest Cline1794 Words   |  8 Pagesthis intention, literature glorifies the oversimplification of reality to a great extent as readers become enticed by the prospect of living a less complex life. Notably, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, examines the challenges and benefits of physically living in one reality while mentally living in a virtual reality. Cline introduces the virtual reality OASIS, as the primary reason to why the protagonist, Wade, continues to exist. However, by dedicating his life to OASIS and deciding to oversimplify

Taoism The Philosophy Of Taoism - 1496 Words

The yin-yang is a popular symbol known even in the western world. Countless items are plastered with the flowing circle of black and white, from jewelry and clothes, to furniture and home dà ©cor. Although it is seen everywhere, very few understand the long history contained within the two spiraling hemispheres. Monochrome, yet it represents the colorful and ambiguous philosophy of Taoism. The ideology of Taoism, much like the yin-yang, is very simple although very profound and intricate. The three most distinctive elements which define the worldview of Taoism are the Tao, the nature of mankind, and the Wu Wei. The Tao or â€Å"the Way† originated in China around 500-600 B.C. during the Warring States period. As the fires of war spread and†¦show more content†¦Though they bear different names, they serve the same mystical cause† (Lao Tzu 8). Lao Tzu conveys ideas in this style throughout the text and lays the groundwork for which the worldview of Taoism will be constructed upon. Another main work, the Chuang Tzu, expands upon the Dao de Jing by putting Lao Tzu’s principals into action using simple examples and stories. The Chuang Tzu shares the same name as its author meaning â€Å"Master Chuang.† The stories inside attempt to explain the ideas in Lao Tzu’s original work by applying them to everyday life and using patterns in nature to illustrate how the Tao functions. Chuang Tzu’s text is much less ambiguous than that of Lao Tzu but is still very open ended. Rather than simply suggesting ideas using poetry, Chuang Tzu directly states principles, although those principles may not have a definite answer. He writes, â€Å"The Great Tà ¢o does not admit of being praised. The Great Argument does not require words.† (Legge 8). These declared statements give more definition to the illusive mystery of the Tao and lead to further development to Taoism as a religion. Through this work, the worldview of Taoism be gins to become more tangible as the Tao is presented in a more perceivable way. Along with the numerous key works of Taoism, there are a wide variety of influences that have been incorporated into Taoism over its long history. The indigenous folklore of China became intertwined with Taoism asShow MoreRelatedTaoism As A Philosophy Or Religion?1917 Words   |  8 Pagesor philosophy comes to mind, Taoism is often unheard of and is shrouded with mystery. While this is true, its rich history and ideologies are both profound and intriguing. Taoism is one of the oldest and most ancient philosophies known to mankind. There are many theories as to just how old the customs are. Taoism is also referred to as Daoism which is a more precise way of articulating the word in English to match the pronunciation of the Chinese word. Taoism is often entitled as a philosophy orRead MorePhilosophy Socrates vs. Taoism2554 Words   |  11 PagesThroughout history western and eastern philosophies have de veloped a vast segregation from one another. The geographical and cultural distance between eastern and western civilization determined massive differences between the two. On the other hand, the works of ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, and some eastern philosophies like Taoism have many of the same or common ideas and concepts. Both eastern and western philosophies regardless of having similarities have distinctive differencesRead MoreTaoism And The Philosophy Of Tai Chi Chuan1482 Words   |  6 Pagesns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/taoism.html Taoism and the Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan. Taoism and the Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015. This is a summary of the growth of Taoism. This is extremely relevant to my topic and will be an important source. 2) http://www.crystalinks.com/taoism.html Taoism - Crystalinks. Taoism - Crystalinks. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015. This is an explanation of the philosophy of both modern and ancient Taoism. The section on modern Taoism is notRead More Taoism and Western Moral Philosophy Essay3937 Words   |  16 PagesTaoism presents a moral philosophy that at first seems very different from most western moral philosophies which, though very different, usually understand morality as a set of restraints on behavior or a common set of principles (common virtues). Western moral philosophy, in general, emphasizes constraining behavior that stems from desire. Taosims emphasis is dealing directly with controlling ones desire by eliminating them. Taoism and western moral philosophy deal with desire but Taoism dealsRead MoreConfucianism : Taoism, Confucianism, And Confucianism1156 Words   |  5 PagesRaymond Cho EALC 350 October 29, 2014 Professor Birge Which philosophy: Taoism, Confucianism, or Legalism would be best in your opinion for maintaining a peaceful society? Why? Perhaps there is no single philosophy that can create a truly peaceful society. The conundrum of choosing a philosophy to embody a peaceful society is rather complicated, as the ideologies of the philosophies often differ greatly from their real world application. Debates over ideologies can create global scale problemsRead MoreThe Big Dipper in Taoism Essay1503 Words   |  7 Pagesworshipping of the Big Dipper has been around for ages and it has appeared many different cultures due to the influence of the Han culture. This is because of the popularity of Taoism as a religion. Due to the flourish of Taoism, the worshipping of Big Dipper star group bloomed among the people. However, with the fall of Taoism due to modernization and the impact of foreign religions such as Buddhism, Christianity and other religions, there has been a significant decandancy in the worshipping of starsRead MoreWorld Wide Yin and Yang1735 Words   |  7 PagesWorld Wide Yin and Yang The Chinese culture has a variety of religions and philosophies; behind each one there is a core of theories and principles formed by its founders. The aspects of the yin-yang principal are the basis of the three major Chinese religions: Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. In China, people are aware of the importance of believing in the yin and yang principles. The Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender states, the Chinese view yin and yang as opposites, where yin is dark andRead MoreTaoism : Religion And Religion1428 Words   |  6 Pages Taoism Religion Taoism is one of the great philosophical and religious traditions that’s originated in China. It is a unique and interesting religion, due to the fact that many Taoists do not even consider it a religion. In many ways it can be seen as not a religion but more of a philosophy. The Taoists never claimed that the Tao ever existed. This separates them from other religions because there is no debate or battle on the Taoist doctrine. The individuality and open-mindedness has allowed theRead MoreHinduism And Taoism802 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and Contrast: Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism. Both Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism in religious context compare through origin, philosophy, and their social structures including their outlook on women. These three religious show south east Asian roots, cultural beliefs, and social conflicts and solutions. The origin and expansion of Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism are similar in that all of them were created in south east region of Asia and that they each expanded through the silk road inRead MoreEssay on Comparison of Taoism and Confucianism1153 Words   |  5 PagesConfucianism and Taoism have contrasting views on both religion and politics. However, they stem from a similar goal and have similar beliefs. Confucianism is mainly centered around virtue and ethics as a means to an ordered society and believes that an ordered society is what people should strive for. Taoism, on the other hand, focuses on the individual life in relation to the Tao, or way of nature. Both are considered philosophies and not religions and acknowledge a path that a person should

Poison apples Essay Example For Students

Poison apples Essay It is Leningrad high school teacher Elena Sergeyevnas birthday. Four of her students three boys and a girl arrive unexpectedly at her drab little apartment, bearing expensive gifts: a bouquet of flowers, a set of antique crystal goblets, a bottle of champagne. The offerings of grateful young people to a beloved instructor? Not quite. In Russian playwright Ludmila Razumovskayas taut psychological drama, the youths soon drop their masks of adoration and get down to ugly business. They try first to bribe, next to coerce, finally to torment their dedicated teacher into raising the low grades two of the boys have made on a crucial mathematics exam. And by the end of this drunken, brutal evening, they have forced Elena into a horrifying revelation: She has not been grooming morally responsible, humanistic young Soviets for adulthood, but a generation of ruthless, self-serving junior thugs who emulate their elders hypocrisy and corruption all too well. Elena Sergeyevna premiered in 1980, the year it was written, to electric response from Leningrad audiences. Reaction came swiftly from the Brezhnev government, too. The play (Razumovskayas sixth work, but the first to be produced) was quickly banned. Its shocking expose of the moral decay passed from one Russian generation to the next, and the irrelevancy and impotence of socialist true believers like Elena, could not be tolerated. But the script did find a clandestine life underground. And with the ascension of Mikhail Gorbachev, Dear Elena Sergeyevna resurfaced to become a widely produced staple of perestroika theatre, a dramatic reflection of the cynical and morally bankrupt Brezhnev era that rings true today. It has been filmed by director Eldar Riasanov, and was collected in a recent Russian anthology of Razumovskayas scripts, Garden Without Earth. Mixing suspense  and philosophy Tim Bond caught up with the play last summer in Munich, Germany, at the experimental Stadt Theatre Im Marstall. Recently appointed artistic director at the Seattle Group Theatre, Bond declares he was blown away by what I saw. Even with very little German I knew it was a powerful piece of theatre. I vowed to find the script and produce it. Back in Seattle, Bond called someone he thought could help track down the work: critic and translator Roger Downey, known for his fluid versions of German and Eastern European dramas. Just back from Russia, Czechoslovakia and Poland in search of intriguing stage literature, Downey quickly tapped his international network for information about the Razumovskaya play, and within 24 hours had the Russian script in hand and a cotranslator, Hungarian-born director Zoltan Schmidt, who trained, like Razumovskaya, at the Leningrad Conservatory, committed to the project. Bond is staging the new Downey-Schmidt translation, retitled Dear Miss Elena, as the Groups 1992-93 season opener. (An earlier English translation by Cathy Porter was presented in 1991 by Londons Gate Theatre and Vancouvers Pink Ink, and a Russian-language production toured Chicago.) Why would the Group Theatre, a company long dedicated to a multicultural repertoire emphasizing works by African-American, Latino and Asian-American writers, tackle a Russian play? Bond cites the dramas rich, intellectual, high-powered language, and the emotional intensity that arises from its admixture of suspense-melodrama and philosophical debate. But the most salient factor in Bonds choice was the plays relevance to the contemporary American scene. The play deals specifically with the U.S.S.R., he concedes. It shows the disillusionment of youth as they confronted the lie in the communist system, and it prophesied what would eventually happen to that system. But for me it also connects very strongly to what is going on here, and what weve learned from the Los Angeles riots. When enough pressure is put on people, when their hope for a better future dies, they start emulating the monstrousness of their leaders. The parallel is that the Reagan-Bush era created the same kind of pressu res on our underclass that the Brezhnev era exerted on the U.S.S.R.s youth. In both cases theres a gap between the ideals that politicians and teachers espouse, and the systemic corruption young people see happening all around them. .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 , .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .postImageUrl , .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 , .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9:hover , .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9:visited , .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9:active { border:0!important; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9:active , .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9 .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u42981320ac250ec164af38b1795577d9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: American theatre: what's to like? EssayZoltan Schmidt, who lived in Leningrad from 1977 to 1982, reiterates the link. People like Elena had this dream of a pure, just socialism, and they lived it, they fought for it, he observes. But the economy never improved, except for the same few hundred Communist aristocrats who played golf and had vacation homes by the Baltic Sea. They were like mafia bosses, and everyone had to play their game to survive. This society has also gotten cynical and mercantile, and young people learn that to get ahead you must be ruthless about grabbing whatever you want, at any moral price. The challenge for the Group is to emphasize the cross-national parallels in Dear Miss Elena without diminishing the plays Russian specificity. For example, Elenas one-bedroom apartment (which she shares with her ill mother) must have the claustrophobic ambience and drab decor specific to standard-issue Soviet urban housing. To evoke that, Bond has hired a Russian emigre set designer, Yuri Degtar. It is also critical for audiences to understand the significance of the exam grades under Elenas control, and why her students would risk so much to try and alter them. As Schmidt points out, If these boys dont get into university they must go into the army, a misery and a waste of time. They might be sent to the war in Afghanistan and get killed there. The suicide rate in the Russian army at this time was very high. One of the students, Pasha, has won awards for his essays on Dostoevsky, but he distorts the great Russian authors views on the nature of evil by twisting them into an apologia for immorality. Says Roger Downey, These kids understanding of Dostoevsky is as shallow as young Richards reading of Nietzsche in ONeills Ah! Wilderness! And its just as self-serving. Locked in the bathroom Where the Groups Dear Elena will depart most from its Russian counterparts is in the complexion of the casting. The production features performers of Puerto Rican, Jewish and Mexican-American heritage. Bond insists this is actually consistent with the Lithuanian-bred Razumovskayas original intention. She wanted a cast that represented all of Soviet youth, Bond claims, and we know that includes a lot of different ethnicities. Whether the play will ignite Seattle audiences the way it has Russian and German playgoers remains to be seen. It will also be interesting to see what Americans make of the plays ambiguous ending, which leaves the emotionally distraught Elena in a locked bathroom. Does the unmasking of her students drive the teacher to suicide? I dont want to answer that for the audience, says Bond. We dont know what will happen in the former U.S.S.R., or even in our own society. We dont know whats coming out of that room.