Much like that in Shakespeare’s work, Fitzgerald uses the weather as a motif in the novel to characterize the moods of the situations and thus the weather in Great Gatsby undoubtedly reflects the emotions and narrative of the story and therefore creates the scene. Indeed the weather descriptions works like a barometer, reflecting Gatsby’s feelings. When Gatsby tends to be nervous or unhappy, it rains; when he becomes happy or excited, it shines; when he calms down at night, the weather then is clear and quiet. This can be viewed in Chapter 1 Nick’s description of Spring, the leaves coming on the trees and the sun shining, he states "...that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again..”. Again in Chapter 5 the element of weather is used, upon Gatsby’s and Daisy’s reunion beginning in the pouring rain representing the tensions and awkwardness between the two creating a melancholy scene. This use of weather reveals Gatsby’s inner world feelings. For instance, “The day agreed upon was pouring rain.” Gatsby hasn’t met Daisy for almost five years. He doesn’t have any idea of how Daisy would react when they meet each other so his inner world is struggling. However as their love reawakens “After half an hour, the sun shone again.” The weather clears as does Gatsby’s struggle “he literally glowed.”
Towards the conclusion of the novel we see Gatsby’s climactic confrontation with Tom, as tensions rise as does the climate. The occurrence happens on the hottest day of the summer, under the blistering sun the heat intensifying the tensions between the two. Also present in Chapter 7 is Gatsby’s hope of attaining his love for Daisy their relationship happens to peak on the hottest day of the summer thus in hand their love is at the greatest point. In turn Gatsby’s hope is the highest it has been all summer.
Chapter 8 concludes the use of weather in the novel as the weather dramatically shifts from summer to autumn Gatsby’s hope of love with Daisy falls negatively downhill thus Autumn represents the death of Gatsby’s dreams, however by still clinging to his hopes Gatsby floats in the pool, a happier pastime of summer, despite a palpable chill in the air a symbolic attempt to stop and restore his relationship with Daisy in 1917, and thus is killed by Wilson on the first day of Autumn.

Geography and Social Class in the Great Gatsby and Modern United States

Geography and social class in the Great Gatsby was and still is reflection of both contemporary United States and in the United States today. Geography sets a clear divide between the main, key characters in the novel. Even though it's representation in a literal sense depicts life more in 1920's it still holds some truth in today's society in the United States.

East Egg is representative of the old values of America. This can be seen by Nick moving back to East Egg. Nick represents a paradigm of virtue, alliterated in the first page when he talks of 'not judging others' and how others may not be as fortunate as he would be. West Egg is representative of new money and new wealth and the Valley of Ashes is representative of the decay of the American Dream. New York City represents the immoral pursuit of wealth and a lavish lifestyle.

The geography in this novel sets a scene so the audience can better understand how environment can have a baring on social class and mobility. For example, the very name: 'The Valley of Ashes' lends an idea to the audience that this area in the novel is like a 'wasteland', where the outcasts and people of the lower classes dwell. This in contrast to somewhere like New York City (a state of high fashion, high culture and wealth during the 1920's) shows up an interesting Binary Opposition and the differences between the different classes are better highlighted through their setting and environment.

This is still true to this day in terms of location and social class. Geography has a very strong baring on how one will fair in social status and social mobility. If someone is born in an underprivledged area, such as the projects, they are less likely to succeed than someone who is born into a middle class family in the suburbs. So in terms of this, this was an accurate representation made by Fitzgerald.

Can money buy you love or happiness?

The Great Gatsby main theme in the novel is money, love and happiness. By exploring these themes and how the characters portray them can help justify if money can buy love and/or happiness. When we are introduced to Gatsby we understand that from some hard work, family and inheritance from Dan Cody, he is rich. We may assume that he has the perfect life due to his grand mansion and money, however he has no wife or kids and is alone. We learn that Gatsby and Daisy used to have a 'thing' for one another when Gatsby was in the military, he lied to her by convincing her he has a wealthy background, this then led to them falling in love. This could mean that Daisy is after one thing in life to be married to a wealthy man, to have an easy life. However after Gatsby left to war not long after Daisy met Tom Buchanan, a man from an aristocratic family, who promised her wealth and happiness.
By exploring Tom and Daisy in more detail we learn that although they do have money, they don't actually seem happy. This is defined in Tom having an affair with Myrtle which conveys the feelings that Tom clearly is not happy or in love with Daisy as he has had to find another women to occupy himself with. Daisy too is aware of the affair as she says about her daughter she hopes she grows up to be a beautiful fool. This simply means that ignorance is sometime bliss, she needs to stay with Tom to have a comfortable lifestyle and maybe in some case to do with money be happy.
This two characters show that although they have money neither are actually in love or happy with themselves or partner.
Myrtle is also aware that Tom has a wife but this doesn't seem to stop her having an affair with a married man, even though herself is too married. Myrtle stays with Tom, believing that he may leave Daisy and in fact offer her a life filled with wealth, a high class society lifestyle and happiness. Although we could debate whether Myrtle is in this relationship for the riches life.
All these character seem to not have someone they truly love; Gatsby is in love and tries to win over Daisy although he does not have her, but its clear that not one of these characters are happy or in love with someone that express their love too.

Overall i think its clear that the main characters in this book represents the fact that money cant buy you everything in life, and it might actually me the less fortunate ones who have a happy family.

Week 11 = American Consumer Culture.

 - the epitome of American consumer culture?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbZyqmdxQIo

JB

American Consumerism: Star Wars Episode VII: Rise Of The Merchandise

Star Wars is a unique cultural phenomenon and literally millions of articles and billions of words can be written about the making of the films, the films themselves (indeed the 6 feature films are in fact only a tiny part of what makes Star Wars), their impact, the universe of the films and even the expanded Star Wars universe in the forms of the many comics, books, video games and even music albums (oh yes we'll get to those...). It rips-off references hundreds of works before it and has since been referenced in thousands of works since (even the merchandising aspect has been referenced). However in this article I shall be looking at only a small part; the merchandising (or as fans tend to call it 'the merch'). Star Wars is in many ways like "The Force" from the Star Wars universe; it surrounds and binds all living things, everybody has been touched by it, nothing can escape it, and certainly not it's merchandising.

It should be noted that selling merchandise based off a film was nothing new when Star Wars was first released, in fact one of the first movie to have a large marketing campaign covering many arbitrary objects was Planet of The Apes (the good one, not the naff one from Tim Burton) with a variety of items such as action figures, lunchboxes and even colouring books. However Star Wars is what really lifted things off, and this was thanks to two things: Firstly Star Wars was a box office smash ($307,263,857 in the U.S. alone), which of course gave it a large fanbase (indeed very few people were trampled in a rush to buy say, Battlefield Earth action figures) which enabled it to produce more merchandise because it gave evidence of the market available. Secondly because George Lucas had (and still has) all the rights on Star Wars merchandise (as opposed to the studio), which of course entitles him to a none-too-unreasonable amount in royalties, so he has a pretty good incentive to continue to produce it.

The genius of Star Wars merchandise was that just about anyone could participate in it, much like McDonald's and theri franchise model, all one needed was the licence. A small American toy company by the name of Kenner was able to acquire the rights to make Star Wars action figures in 1976 (which would be distributed in the UK by Palitoy), after Mego turned the offer down due to the fact that they felt that Star Wars would not be a success; a decision worthy of Decca turning down the Beatles. That being said Kenner didn't have high hopes for the film and only started selling the figures in stores in early 1978, from there on they would make 3 3/4" Star Wars figures right up until the mid 80s. These would sell along with play-sets and some excellent commercials aimed at children and would subsequently popularise the 3 3/4" action figure. There was of course many other products; such as but certainly not limited to: Comics (by Marvel, which apparently saved the comic book industry), Radio Dramas, Books (a truly insane amount by various publishers), Some excellent cartoon series (By Nelvana, N.B. The intro to Droids "Trouble Again" was written and performed by Stewart Copeland of The Police and many episodes of Ewoks were written by a fresh Paul Dini, who would later go on to write for Batman comics and the animated series), Lego (Lego's first and most successful licence), Cereal (By Kellogs, and yes, they just merged Cheerios together) Various Video Games (By various publishers and quality), toiletries, Undergarments (By Union Underware Inc.) and yes, even Christmas Albums (Featuring the first ever début of Jon Bonjovi i.e. Bon Jovi, no really). Suffice to say most of these made money.

The fact that one could make money by simply plastering a popular brands name on virtually any object was not invented by Star Wars but it certainly perfected and popularised it. Indeed as seen by the increasingly derivative list of objects above Star Wars was able to move above being a simple Hollywood film and became the phenomenon that it is today, and as a result many movies, cartoons (especially cartoons), books, and even non-media companies have imitated Lucasfilm (George Lucas' own company that grants licences) by putting their brand name on a product which they normally would never make (like a BMW Zippo Lighter). Or Toy/Clothing/Media-Production Companies acquiring the rights of a brand name and subsequently making toys/models/underwear/media for a significant mark-up in price and profit (Hasbro is currently one of the largest toy companies in the world and makes toys for Transformers, G.I. Joe, My Little Pony, and even Star Wars). It is thanks to Star Wars that the market is so full of licensed media objects as trivial as toiletries and clothing, and movies based of toylines (coming soon: Liam Neelson in Battleships, yes, really); because they proved that fans of various media franchises and works and even non-media companies (like car manufacturers, they also make Porshe Pipes) will buy products due to the power of the brand, and fans of a franchise will go to see a movie/Tv show based on that franchise. The reason why people buy into this is varied but the most important reasons certainly for media and Star Wars is because: A, they allowed us to live out our fantasies and favourite scenes from the Movie/Book/Game and create our own 'fan-fiction' at home, and B, because it is 'cool' and is a status symbol amongst peers (this is certainly true amongst collectors of rare action figures).

Of course what many people ask is this, Is merchandising a good or bad thing? Some people say that merchandising is 'selling-out' and reduces the artists integrity, whilst others say merchandising is created by the wants of the fan-base. The answer is that it depends. Charles Schulz was famously quoted as saying there is nothing wrong with using characters in marketing, so long as the quality of one's work stays refined. Whilst Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz said: “The toy business began to drive the [Lucasfilm] empire. It’s a shame. They make three times as much on toys as they do on films. It’s natural to make decisions that protect the toy business, but that’s not the best thing for making quality films.” Ultimately in my opinion it depends on the product or media. Some films, cartoons, and games (such as the abysmal Action 52 and the various Transformer cartoons) were clearly set out to sell toys and make money, however even that being said Transformers and other shows designed 'to sell toys' turn out to be very good and in many ways take on a life of their own. Plus whilst I do not crave Star Wars bodywash I don't have to buy it and I don't really feel that it cheapens the integrity of the work of Directors like George Lucas or Richard Marquand. Not to mention there is nothing quite as 'cool' whacking someone with a 'lightsaber'.

American Consumerism- Guitar Hero

I have chosen to analyse the game guitar hero’s adverts done in the theme of ‘risky business’, specifically the advertisement for guitar hero 5 of which involves Hugh Hefner and the playboy bunnies in September 2009. It is claimed the ‘risky business’ ads continue to appeal to their audience as fans find seeing their favourite celebrities doing their own renditions of the scene entertaining.

The message portrayed through the advert is common for the classic rock and roll lifestyle of ‘sex, drugs and rock n roll’ indeed Hef has stated,

"Playboy and Rock & Roll have been intimately interconnected since I started the magazine in 1953," Guitar Hero combines rock and roll with iconic Playboy Playmates and the Playboy Mansion to create one of the sexiest ads ever made."

The target audience for this advert would be mainly the all American male dominated, as the females featured are of the same ethnicity and the soundtrack using Bob Seger highlights once again the vintage rock and roll stereotype. Towards the end of the clip Hefner plays a mockingly innocent card claiming ‘What? I like variety.’ Hefner is known for his women however this statement emphasizes the new and improved model of guitar hero mirroring the image of the bunnies.

"Playboy is recognized worldwide as a pop culture symbol of fun and entertainment; it's only natural for Hugh and the Playmates to be the next faces of the ad campaign."

Focusing on the values this advert portrays it’s mainly about sex appeal, although faced with much criticism, linking a product and sex is featured throughout the advertising business, thus by using Hefner and the Bunnies the company are shamelessly appealing to their target audience directly and in doing so provide the ‘subtle’ message if you play this game you could be like Hugh Hefner with the 10 bunnies. Overall the advert is light-hearted and obvious giving the sense that the game is just good old fashioned fun.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-XOlhkQGD4

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Commercial and American Express

I have been torn really between two really good examples of commercials. So I am going to go ahead and blog about both.

1. The first commercial is for the ZR1 Chevrolet Corvette. For the most part of the commercial, it shows clips of different moments in history, more specifically, relating to NASA, rockets and the moon landing. There would be an obvious sense of pride by citizens of the United States in relation to events such as the Apollo 11 space flight on the 20th July 1969. Events such as these, relating to American space programmes, really show American ingenuity at it's best.

This ingenuity is used as an obvious but clever marketing ploy. It is clever because it connects the ZR1 to events that not only shape America's sense of self but also creates it's global identity. The voice over to this video really sets the tone for the commercial. What's being said employs rhetoric to further sell the product at hand. Certain things that were said such as: "crazy idea" and to "go further than what mankind has gone before" imply to the audience that America has achieved the 'unachievable' and that America, in certain aspects, is superior than the world's other nations. This idea is further reinforced when the voice over says: "The world watched and waited with bated breath". This insinuates that the world looks up to America to create these amazing things and that this industriousness and ingenuity is admired by other Nations.

"Now time has moved on and priorities have changes, it's nice to know that America still builds rockets" emphasises the idea to the audience that the creation of the ZR1 is of the same importance as the Apollo11. If not this, that the same hard work, industriousness and ingenuity has gone into the creation of the new corvette.

These marketing techniques, and even the basis, is not shocking. The Corvette is very much one of America's iconic cars so it would make sense to place a 'stamp' of national pride and identity upon it. This almost makes it more American by emphasing the fact that "America still builds rockets."



The second commercial is that for American Express. On YouTube it is entitled 'Open' and shows a sequence of shots of people opening their buisnesses early in the Morning and having their first wave of customers and/or manual work. This really does instil and show the core values place in the aforementioned add: hard work and industriousness.

This is further reinforced by the music that plays in the background called Reveille. More specifically, a military bugle call which means 'wake up' in French and would be used to wake people up in the army at Sunrise. Using this music almost connotes that the daily routine of the average hard working American is regimental and well structured, but a like the other commercial, this hard work and perseverance will show monetary benefits and that they will be financially better off. Which is an obvious theme and belief held by most citizens of the United States of America.

By the end of the commercial, the music has become more jazzy and the words that come up upon the screen says 'Let's get Booming'. Connecting these two references together could mean that it is referring to the economic boom that occurred in the 1920's and that they want to 'recreate' this boom and have the same economic high that was experienced in that decade. Connecting this with the images of people working hard and working, more importantly together, that this dream and aim is achievable.

Coca~Cola advert.

Coca Cola began in 1886, and since then their adverts have also included particular images and themes of the current time. From the beginning they have had adverts which show ladies smartly clothed in Victorian style dresses and similar decor, current themes continue showing typical American sports such as baseball. This shows the consumer does buy into the patriotic sense of these adverts, and other nations buy into the 'Americanisation' and desire of wanting to be part of American life.

This advert shows stereotypical American images such as; Elvis, Audrey Hepburn, Rolling Stones, American flag, hot dog, cars, baseball and so on, in the outline of a Coca~Cola bottle. This cult classics along with the slogan 'A classic never goes out of style' suggests that Coke is as symbolic and an iconic image along with these famous world wide known images.

The use of the red and white colour could either be simply as it is the colour of Coca~Cola or could be the colour of the American flag, which again supports the idea of America as a great 'classic' nation and the patriotic sense from Americans that all of these images, colours and the concept of Coke is American rather than British/European etc.

The Horatio Alger myth.

The Horatio Alger myth consists of people not believing in the American dream and the rags to riches story seen in Ragged Dick. In Fight back news - news an views from the people's struggle, they suggest that although dick does work hard and does achieve success in the end of the book this is more to do pure luck and help from wealthy individuals. They also suggest that even after WW2 people were able to succeed in life through buying houses and sending their children to college, however again like dick this was not necessarily achieved from hard work but rather from the strength of the unions who forces businesses to pay a sustainable wage to live.

Although today the story of Ragged dick is seen as a myth and of pure facts and figures that go against what the story tries to represent. As today the gap between the rich and poor is steadily widening and opportunities also seem to be dramatically descending, its estimated that only 10% of young boys with less educated poor fathers will succeed in life, but this means that a staggering 90% of young boys will stay in the 'lower class' citizens and will never achieve the American dream.

I then looked at a blog 'Discipline disciple-husband-son-brother-friend-teacher' this argued whether or not Horatio Alger's Ragged dick is a myth or reality. He also used many facts and figures to show how this isn't always true with many people still considered 'poor' in America. He uses this quote from the Treasury report in November 2007 that suggest that the rich are actually losing out on money and poor and gaining a 91% increase in their incomes. This goes against ragged dick as the 'rich' may have worked hard through out life to receive a well paid job however they are now losing out on the dream.

Overall i believe that for some people luck enables them to have the American dream and a successful life whether by chance or by them working hard, although there will always be a gap between the rich and poor which means some people will never succeed in life and will always be ragged dick Rather than Richard hunter.

"Face it, You'll Never Be Rich" The Horatio Alger myth.

The Horatio Alger Myth is generally used as a synonym of the 'rags to riches story'; Horatio Alger being a popular novelist in 19th century who was famous for his (admittedly formulaic) stories of young boys (such as Ragged Dick in Ragged Dick) who though hard work and virtue 'make it big'. However there is a discrepancy between the myth (indeed 'The Horatio Alger Myth' is indeed true in that it's a myth) and what was written by Horatio Alger. In Ragged Dick the character does not rise to a position of fabulous wealth but rather a respectable middle-class position of office clerk. Furthermore, Alger writes that it's better to be middle-class and honest in your income acquisition rather than be a 'robber baron'. So in reality the Horatio Alger Myth is flawed in it's very inception. Ultimately however Horatio Alger weather intentionally or not gave off the impression though his writing that one could rise up to wealth from petty poverty. Michael Moore is known for both his blowharding whistle-blowing and girth, and in this article from 2003 he regards the Horatio Alger myth as a destructive drug which placates the general population as so: "The other drug is nicer. It is first prescribed to us as children in the form of a fairy tale - but a fairy tale that can actually come true! It is the Horatio Alger myth... because we're still addicted to the Horatio Alger fantasy drug. Despite all the damage and all the evidence to the contrary, the average American still wants to hang on to this belief that maybe, just maybe, he or she (mostly he) just might make it big after all." Suffice to say he is scornful of the ideas given out by Horatio Alger (which as discussed were not really his intended ideas)that people can rise up the social ladder and become millionaires. The reason for this (he says) is that it makes the people sympathetic to the rich, that they have worked hard for their money and increasing taxes against him is bad "So don't attack the rich man, because one day that rich man may be me!". In conclusion Michael Moore has fallen into the heffalump trap of believing that Horatio Alger's characters rose from rags to riches when in text they merely rose from rags to respectability.

Horatio Alger Myth: Contemporary usage vs. Ideas posed in the book

Ideas weather or not the Horatio Alger Myth is still prevalent, or ever was at all does indeed divide opinion. When looking for a site really pushing the ideas behind the Horatio Alger myth, I struggled. The reasons behind this is obviously because time and realism has made the general population realise that other factors affect you're social standing and mobility. Obviously, other than just hard work.

I believed that the best place to find a good contemporary usage of the term the Horatio Alger Myth would be used, is by user generated content. The Horatio Alger Myth is Still Alive and Well in American Culture pushes the idea that the Myth still exists and that anyone, with enough hard work and determination can propel themselves up the social ladder and become more wealthy as time goes on. She also believes that decisions that are made will ultimately decide whether one is successful in maintaining the wealth that they achieve.

These ideas that are posed by this woman on associated content is very true to the novel. Alger believed in the 'rags to riches' mentality and that success could easily be obtained of the person was industrious and hard-working enough to do so.

With that being said, the article believes that it takes more than just one generation to be able to bring fortune to ones self, it takes generations of hard-work. Something not depicted in the book. He starts off as a boot-black and someone of not great social standing, to somebody who has made something of himself and has money in his pocket.

Gun Control Issues.

One of the prolific ongoing debates in the United States for the current and previous century is the issue of gun control. About 97,820 people are shot in a gun-related incidents each year. The Constitution of the United States states in it's second amendment that: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the citizens to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed" This statement is central to the debate and the battle between tight and loose constructionists of the Constitution is still ongoing. The web-pages I chose represent two sides of the argument, i.e. those in favour of gun control and those in favour of gun ownership. The Pro-Gun website I selected was the NRA's official web-page, the National Rifle Association was created in 1871 to educate the population about gun safety and to represent different gun owners, it has since grown in membership and is now a major lobbying group. The website is essentially a portal to many different pages such as NRA-ILA which details current proposed bills and news articles on guns; including a 'Spotlight' feature on an 'armed citizen' who took down a armed thief at a convenience store, highlighting the benefits of gun ownership in citizen law-enforcement, which is one of the key arguments the NRA uses. Other websites are focused on gun safety and where to find gun clubs near you. One interesting article was the "Outrage of the week", which criticised journalist Alex Wagner for attacking the second amendment, however it didn't really give reasons why the second amendment was necessary apart from the fact that it protected freedom. However overall the NRA website does not give out a list of the benefits of gun ownership, which is understandable seeing as they are currently 'on top'. The Pro-Gun control website I chose was the Brady Campaign website, The Brady Campaign is named after James Brady, who was permanently injured as a result of an assassination attempt on Ronald Regan in 1981. It seeks to promote legislation which regulates and controls gun ownership, such as banning assault rifles and large ammo clips. The website has many lists of statistics such as the number of gun related injuries and that higher household gun ownership correlates with higher rates of homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings. Overall I felt that the Brady Campaign had a very strong argument, but the problem is is that cat is already out of the bag in America and simply trying to restrict gun ownership is futile. The other problem is is that if guns are banned violent crime is not going to be reduced, it will instead switch to knife crime or some other means. So I would agree that legislation to prevent people with criminal records is necessary I feel that gun ownership is a sign of a covenant between a government and it's people and that it trusts them to look after themselves.

Week 9 Group 2: Tutorial......

What are your views of the Columbine 'incident'? - should teachers be armed - as said the NRA? Or, is this an over-reaction from Michael Moore?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQo-orO8UHU

I shall be interested to hear you views - and what does the map tell us about gun use?

For background information, read this website:
http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_Concealed_carry_vs_open_carry_gun_laws

Gun Control

http://www.csgv.org/about-us

The coalition to stop gun violence is a Pro-gun control website that aims to maintain a slipping freedom, from gun violence. It outlines many problems in the system and highlights issues such as the Gun Show Loophole, which enables anyone to purchase guns from unlicensed dealers without background checks. This means just about anyone can get a hold of a firearm easily. The website has articles that highlights big flaws in the campaign to push conceal and carry permits forward, such as the lack of/missing disqualifying records which are crucial in the screening process to obtain a permit, which subsequently means individuals with past criminal convictions, minor offenses, or a past in domestic abuse could easily acquire a conceal and carry permit. CGSV want tougher gun laws and a stricter grip on gun owners in America and furthermore to give politicians confidence to speak up against anti-gun control organisations such as the NRA.

http://gunowners.org/

Gun Owner’s of America is a anti gun control website which argues that along with the ownership of a gun comes freedom. Like many other anti- gun control groups I looked at on the internet, this website pointed out how their cause was to protect the interests of the 2nd Amendment and had a " NO COMPROMISE!" policy. They, like a lot of gun enthusiasts who follow them, believe the American people’s rights are threatened if their right to ownership is taken from them. What’s evident from just looking at the website is republican presence and how highly involved they are in the government politics surrounding their cause. The GOA boasts a "...board of directors who bring over 100 years of combined knowledge and experience on guns, legislation and politics." Unlike the pro-gun control, the GOA website’s approach to their campaign against gun control is quite politically tactical and calls on people to use their voting power to voice and undermine legislation that goes against their cause. For instance on the website they have drawn up action plans for members to take or send to their Senators. Unlike the pro gun control websites who appeal to people’s hearts with their shocking statistics, e.g "...a person dies from gun violence every 17 minutes in America...but without easy access to guns it would be a lot harder." The GOA dismisses the opposing argument held by pro gun control campaigneers as gun haters, and describe Illinois as stuck in the dark ages, for being the only state left to not allow its citizens to conceal and carry.
I think the pro gun control website had a stronger argument, was better presented and well supported by statistical evidence which would make many think twice. The anti-gun control argument had a very limited argument I felt, and it had no concern of how some of the rights they are fighting for, at times fatally affect normal Americans.

Handguns are used for protection against criminals in America nearly 2 million times per year. That's up to five times more often than they're used to commit crimes and nearly 128 times the total number of murders in the United States. With statistics such as these it is hard not to at the least acknowledge that being a gun carrier in America has some advantage. Phil Valentine emphasises this statement with his excerpt 'guns are good' . In this the audience are forced to recognise the benefits of arming oneself with a gun and gives the example of Wayne Nance whence good conquers evil 'This is but one example of literally millions of times that guns have saved lives, something the anti-gun nuts don't want you to know. But now you do.' Valentine further highlights the hypocrisy of those openly opposing the right to bear arms, such as Rosie O'Donnell 'In other words, if she and her family are threatened, then they should be protected with guns. However, if you and your family are threatened, you should not be allowed access to guns. Very nice.' He claims that her and the other advocates of the anti-gun policy is an 'emotional response and not one based on facts' and that 'banning guns is adding to the problem ‘that not having a gun hinders those in need an makes them a target with the inevitable repercussion of death, 'Imagine how less tragic Columbine could've been if only some responsible citizen with a gun had been there to stop it.' Valentine obviously is educated in the benefits of owning a gun and states some truth especially focusing on the media, and it’s ‘refusal to recognize the role guns play in thwarting crime.’ However he is perhaps too radical in his right wing opinions to fully appreciate the truths of which he explores.
“I guess the truth is too politically incorrect to be printed. Apparently, it doesn't fit some of the leftwing reporters' agenda – an agenda to rid this country of guns. That's really what all this comes down to. If there were not a concerted agenda on the part of many in the news media to rid the United States of guns, you would have equal attention given to other forms of murder. Glaring examples of the double standard can be found in some of this country's most high-profile murders. Something overlooked by many in the so-called "Crime of the Century," the O. J. Simpson trial, was that Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman were not murdered with a gun, they were stabbed to death.”

In comparison, however the Brandy campaign to prevent gun violence gives statistics,
31,593 people died from gun violence
􀀹 12,179 people murdered.
􀀹 18,223 people killed themselves.
􀀹 592 people killed accidentally.
􀀹 326 killed by police intervention.
􀀹 273 died but intent was not known.
This website set in its nationalistic colours provides support for those ‘left wingers’ who wish to rid America of the constitutional right of bearing arms. As an audience we are firstly introduced to the faces of ‘dangerous people’ or ‘concealed carriers’ their faces are not typical of those of a serial killer however the agenda of the site is to highlight that dangerous people are hidden everywhere in the faces of today’s society. There too is a tally of ‘people shot so far today,’ at this given time being 102, thus making the reader shocked and disgusted, opening their eyes to the reality. The website offers a neutral opinion on gun violence allowing the reader to form their own opinions based on the facts and information given about gun violence, unlike that of Valentine. Furthermore the options of taking action or donating to the cause get the chosen audience involved, their claim is merely ‘to protect you, your family and your community from gun deaths and injuries. In America, we make it too easy for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons. There are only a few federal gun control laws on the books, and even those have loopholes. This leads to senseless gun violence affecting tens of thousands.’ Overall this website is thought out to make the audience interact and mould their attitudes in this seemingly neutral, polite, caring environment whereas Valentines was more on the attack.

Pro and Anti-Gun control... The Big Debate

Pro-gun control: The Brady Campaign is a site that aims to bring in more legislation and control in terms of arms in the United States. Their modus operandi behind the want for new laws and regulation is to try and bring down the amount of violence, whether it be homicide or a wounding, that guns have brought to America. A part of their mission statement reads:

"We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities."

The campaign itself works to make the United States a freer place for everyone from gun crime. Even though this argument for more gun control may seem unconstitutional and goes against the second amendment, it argues that the country would be a freer one, free from the threat of gun violence, something which in itself has echoes of the constitution.

This website has many convincing elements, one of the most being the 'hit counter' in the top right hand of the screen. This shows the number killed within the year and also within the day. The numbers were shocking to say the least, as I sit here 157 people were shot across the United States - which is a startling figure.

However, do not confuse their aim with banning guns completely, they aim merely to create a condition within the United States where guns are better regulated, below you will see a couple of the ways in which they hope to achieve this and what regulation they want to put in place:

• Tell Congress 'No More Large Ammo Clips!' this is because large ammo magazines are used to wipe out large numbers of people in quick succession without the need to reload, so therefore, this is not needed in terms of self defence or hunting.
• Irresponsible Gun Show Loophole because people are able to buy guns without being properly vetted or checked - making it 10 times easier for the gun to fall into the hands of the wrong person.

It is important to understand that the aim of this particular campaign/website is not to encroach on the Liberty that Americans' hold so dear, it is simply to make their life safer - something of which that I highly agree with in the long term because of the number of deaths that occur in America are more often than not needless and due to poor regulation.

Anti-Gun control: Gun Owners of America, also known as GOA believe that anti-gun laws prevent people from their consitutional right in the second amendment and that states that impose gun regulation are 'living in the dark ages'.

They have a whole section on their website dedicated to people who might hold some scepticism against the legal carry of a gun. One section that I looked at in particular was the section about how Gun Control causes needless problems in the United States and can prevent people from saving their lives. For example, there is an article: 'When Gun Safety Locks Kill' arguing that safety locks cause problems and issues in terms of self-defence.

They also see themselves as a 'no compromise' organisation, pretty much meaning that they believe that any regulation encroaches on their civil liberties.

What I think: I believe both sides of the argument are both convincing and that both have large relevance to life in America. I believe that the most convincing website is the one pushing for more Gun Control. Whilst the pro-gun ownership website makes some good points about the dangers of over regulating, with well backed up arguments from real life events but still leaves an uncomfortable resonance with me. I believe that some of the laws, or their lack of, in terms of gun control and regulation leaves a lot to be desired. Especially with people being able to buy these guns without being vetted at gun shows and magazines being bigger than needed for hunting and such purposes.

pro-gun control or anti-gun control?

In 1991, in Littleton, two 18 year old senior high school boys killed 12 fellow students, 1 teacher and injured 24 other students. They did this by illegally buying 2 shot guns, due to them being underage at the time. Only days after these innocent school children had been killed the NRA led by Charlton Heston arrived in Littleton where the shootings had taken place. I have chosen two website, 1 by the family of Daniel Mauser one of the victims on the day and The NRA website who only 10 days after the massacre came to the area for a rally. Both have contrasting views to gun control, the memorial website wants gun control so that guns aren't so available to people, whereas the NRA are in support the people should be allowed to have guns for 'protection.'

http://www.danielmauser.com/

This website details and celebrates the life of Daniel, explores the violence in America and their view on guns and how they should be controlled. They write about how we should get involved as the first step to raise awareness and make real change.

What is really interesting is that they explain how they have previously written letter and made phone calls to Charlton Heston and the NRA, however received no response. My view on this suggest guilt, that he wouldn't know quite what to say to the family, or explain how his views can be linked to their feelings and emotions about gun crime. The family also say how they were arrested when protesting outside the NRA headquarters for 'trespassing.' All these factors made me side with them as it's clear the NRA don't know how to react to the events that occurred.

http://home.nra.org/#/home

The first thing i noticed about the NRA website is the news broadcast headed 'Outrage of the week.' It goes on to say that Alex Wagner from the MSNBC was asked 'what would you change in the constitution?' She responded by saying '"I think get rid of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms.' This quickly sums up the views of the NRA and how they find this a 'naive' and 'ridiculous' statement. Every time you click on a topic it sends you straight to another website. This may be done to increase the knowledge and teach people more widely how guns can be positive and how many people support guns and the NRA. They say they are 'America's foremost defender of Second Amendment rights' and that they are an 'educational organisation.' I find that shocking as although they do do training for firearms, they aren't educating people on the effects of gun crime and how they are a dangerous weapon. They could be teaching people to protect themselves in safer ways, after all if America is a this land of freedom, opportunity and hope surely guns aren't necessary!!

Over all i think the memorial website has a deeper impact and more convincing views as although it does badmouth the NRA it does have good reason too. It also explores the gun culture in America fairly, compared to the NRA who only see their view and will not be open minded, even though every year hundreds of people are killed by guns.

Running With Buffalos

The painting is by George Catlin from 1832 and is titled Hunting Buffalo Camouflaged with Wolf Skins. It shows one of the traits that the natives were praised for in many accounts: Hunting. I think the painting encapsulates so many characteristics of the natives as a people, which I think Catlin was trying to put forward to the settlers and many others outside America who would see his paintings. The painting displays their remarkable athleticism, physical strength and intelligence involved in executing their hunts.
This hunting method that Catlin captured not only highlights the obvious physical abundance the natives possessed, but also the abundance and wealth of their culture/ customs. The painting demands respect and offers a smart way of looking at the Native Americans. The barbaric nature that is sometimes familiarised with them, is put aside and shows the craft, skill and elegance of the ways of Native American men. There is a simple but yet ingenious understanding that the natives held over their environment and its inhabitants, that is depicted so well by Catlin. The painting almost echoes  People of the Land.
And in a way, for me, there is some kind of peaceful spirituality in the way the Natives are hunting the buffalos, in comparison to the slaughter of millions of herds by the settlers.

Running With Buffalos

"Win-Jun-Jon (The Pigeon's Egg Head), Assiniboine Chief, Going To and Returning From Washington, D.C." By George Catlin.

The picture I chose to analyse is one by George Chatlin; a man who had accompanied General Clark of Lewis and Clark fame and specialised in painting Native Americans, mostly in the Mid-West. He felt that they were a 'vanishing race' who needed their customs and lifestyles to be record, which he did in several journals he wrote when he was in the west. The picture itself is fairly simple, it is essentially a early version of a 'Before and After' picture with the Indian Chief Win-Jun-Jon as he appeared in 1837 on the left and as he appeared after returning from Washington D.C. in 1839. The picture shows how Win-Jun-Jon's appearance has changed after being exposed to civilisation for a period of two years, after going to Washington he has taken to wearing European clothing such as a top hat and a suit. However there are a few personal touches made to the attire; firstly, Win-Jun-Jon's hair is still cut in a very un-European fashion, i.e. long and braided, he is also holding a fan, which was used by women rather than men. This illustrates the Chief's lack of cultural knowledge whilst at the same time trying to impersonate the European style of life. One could regard this as a sign of the decline of Indian culture if a Chieftain is willing to turn 'European', indeed it is very much like conquered people in the Roman Empire dressing and acting like Romans, which in turn helped speed up the conquest of said people. However like the people Rome conquered Win-Jun-Jon has adapted European dress and kept some personal touches such as his hairstyle, so one could argue that like the Gauls and Britons he is accepting the inevitable and adapting to fit the wave of change, whilst keeping reminders of who he was.

The Death of a Culture... or almost.

The attempted eradication of the Native Americans was not just done through the medium of genocide but also through the attempted subjugation and 'civilisation' of the native population. George Catlin's painting 'Win-Jun-Jon' was critical of the Americanisation and modernisation of the Native American. The photograph that I have chosen (see above) really does encapsulate the idea that the Native American's were modernized. It is the funeral of a Native American chief. More explicitly, Santank, the chief of Kiowa. The people pictured are seen wearing dresses and suits, which was obviously brought over by settlers that came over to the continent. These new ways of living certainly did come at a cost, as many of the natives lost their sense of identity or felt pressured into conforming to the way of life of the people who settled in America.

However, the fact that this photograph is even showing the burial of a chief shows that the culture was not dead after all. You would imagine that if the colonization and the wish of these colonies to civilize the native Americans, that the hierarchical system of chiefs and such, would dissolve.

The Manifest Destiny - to go westwards and conquer and flourish across the continent obviously had a profound affect on the Native Americans, from tribe to tribe. They believed that it was not only their divine right to the land and the bounty upon it but also to show the 'savages' God.

Native American portrait.

This painting was created in 1890 and details how the Native Indians were treated by the Americans and 'cowboys.'

The scenery shows the rural state of West America and how vast the land was and undeveloped it was. This demonstrates how they exiled the Native Indians to areas of land that weren't sufficient enough in rich soils for themselves.

Also in the scenery is a wooden wagon wheel which could mean that the native Americans were travelling in a wagon and it was destroyed by the cowboys. This is also emphasised by the smashed bottles, broken boxes and their personal belongings laid out on the ground.

The cowboy on the left hand side if pointing at the Native Indians which could be either seen as he is mocking them by pointing and laughing as they have nothing, or debating what to do with them. One Indian does have a large feathered head piece of which could mean he is the chief, which is more shocking that the chief of a village would be removed from his settlement. He is also surrounded by children, which shows the brutality of how they were treated, whether men, women or children.

In the background there seems to be a buffalo skull, this is properly used as a metaphor of how the Americans killed so many Buffalo's for their own selves and again taking from the Native Indians which once was theirs and how they killed so many Native Indians for no valid reason.

The trail of wagons through the valley is heading towards the west, which demonstrates how they moved across the land to expand. Also as they have wagons, cows and personal possessions this shows how much more they did have than the Native Americans, as they are left there with one horse between them, no wagon and most possessions broken from a possible attack.

The Twitter of The Tea Party

At a personal level I find the Tea party to be fascinating due to the way they voice their bigoted opinions and politics, on average they do not seem to hold any inhabitions or care about relevant social issues, such as racism. For me they uphold the image of the All-American Redneck,

(Tea Party candidate Ken Buck, after being asked why people should vote for him for the Colorado GOP Senate nomination) ''Because I do not wear high heels. She has questioned my manhood, and I think it's fair to respond. I have cowboy boots, they have real bullsh*t on them. And that's Weld County bullsh*t, not Washington, D.C., bullsh*t.'' Buck was referring to an ad run by his opponent, which decried third-party spending on behalf of his campaign and urged Buck to ''be man enough'' to run the ads himself (July 21, 2010)

A website of particular interest that gives a personal insight into that of the Tea Party mind is http://twitter.com/#!/teapartynews their 'tweets' constantly refer to Hitler, and indeed some of their photos posted include the figure referring to the governemnt mirroring the dictator. The image chosen for the site is the American flag, although not particularily inventive it connveys the message of patriotism to the 'simple' minds of the followers and what the political party is fighting for. Which for me what the picture above highlights, found on their site, claiming America committed suicide voting in the current President Obama with the caption, "Let's prove we can pull it back from the brink!" That their political values will save America, as seen in other pictures and Tweets on the page.
The page also deals with negative criticism for example,
'I love how nothing at the teaparty matches. Not the chairs nor the cups.' To which they directly attacked back.
Another important feature of the site is the many images of multi-raced little girls having tea parties, tea parties in general, home made cakes and images of people learning how to sew furthermore of the crowds at rallies and political leaders. All of these images hold the value of an old fashioned 'good, clean, fun' portraying the statement that the tea Party are non corrupt and have the simple hearts of Americans, who wish to uphold that aspect of America.

The Tea Party

The website I've chosen for analysis is the functionally named TeaParty.org which like other websites discussed claims to be the 'official' website of the party. Like many other sites it has a wide range of media such a videos, raido shows, blogs and news articles. It also give methods of contacting government officials via faxes.

The news articles are taken from a variety of sources such as The Washington Times and Yahoo and generally seem to focused on either the economy and Obama, usually casting him in a negative light, although that is the opinion of the original article as opposed to the main page.

The Web page is a little confusing due to the fact that the more opinionated side of it can be found by clicking the link "Join the Party". Which leads to a section filled with links to blogs, photos, online radio shows and even a shop.

The blogs range in length and quality but nearly all are of an anti-Obama/Democrat bent.

The Radio shows plays (some quite good) music (patriot of course) and has discussions about the economy and gives out information. the generally running theme is usually about "restoring our country".

The simple fact that there are more than one webpages that claim to be the official site for the Tea Party movement shows the fractured nature of said movement. Indeed one of the current topic of discussion that seem to be causing a rift is whether or not to support the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement; some bloggers say they are leftist scroungers who are attacking the hard working, whilst others say the big bosses of Wall Street are to blame for the economic collapse and the government should have let the banks collapse in order to profligate the free market.

One comment that was really interesting to note was one which was in support of economic regulation: "Free enterprise/free trade has put our economy under, we were sold out over 20 years ago, when it first began. Our "heavy industries" were the first to be phased out" which again puts the Tea Party movement into a more Democrat position!

In my own personal opinion the Tea Party movement has many genuine concerns for the American economy and the apparent loss of communication between the governed and the government. In fact at it's heart the Tea Party is a very egalitarian, patiotic and populist movement, however like many such movements in the past it is corrupted and distorted by moralistic tendencies and a discordance in it's opinions. In short, like America itself it is very varied in it's goals and opinions and ultimately that's it's downfall; it is too divided to be a political force.

The Tea Party Patriots: Protected the Country and the Constitution for which they were founded.

The website that follows the 'Tea Party' ethos is that of the Tea Party Patriots. There are many factors and attributes to this website that really do encompass the historic values that were put forward in the Constitution. This website is also connected to http://www.teapartypatriots.org/ (2nd Nov 2011), which is currently under construction. They post a threads of news reports and issues that they believe is a substantial relevance to their cause. For example, articles about illegal immigration and what their Tea Party organization is going to do to prevent this problem or to try and elevate some of the problems caused.

They also have a radio station, where they put their perspective on the days news and current events - but also allowing the audience to be able to become involved with the politics that the propagate through the medium of the Internet and from the radio station.

The American Flag is very much a massive part of the design layout and house style of this website. It really does connote the extreme Patriotism that this movement holds and the mentioning of the constitution in their sort of modus operandi/mission statement, really does lend the idea to the audience that they still follow almost a traditionalist and unprogressive - due to the fact that some of the ideologies that the united states now have evolved from what was previously mentioned in the Constitution.

There is also a photo slideshow on the main part of the website. One of the main trending photographs that I noticed was guns - which to me appears to be supported by those who are quite republican. There is also an image of a Tea Shirt with 'Fight The Left' and other images that show a very clear support of right wing ideologies and views.

The Tea Party.

In 2009, the modern Tea Party movement started again not long after President Barack Obama took office. Obama and House Democrats then passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - this act looked to save and create jobs and to provide temporary relief programs for those most impacted by the recession and invest in infrastructure, education, health, and ‘green’ energy- this law then passes in February. The 'TEA' is referred to as 'taxed enough already' as the movement believe in tax resistance. As Obama introduced this act this has created a backlash of protesting against himself and his policies. - see above picture, detailing how the tea party movement see Obama.

The tea party patriots website is the offical home of the American tea party movement. Their mission statement is 'The impetuses for the Tea Party movement are excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.'
This website uses many different media to project their message such as videos, pictures, radio and blogs so that they can be seen and heard by many different people to hopefully influence and persuade them to join the tea party movement. However to view these items on the website you had to join and become a member, i found this interesting as i would have presumed they would want anyone to be able to see what they represent, as joining may put some people off.

Once i had joined i began looking at the videos, most themed about economic failure in America, for instances;Economic Collapse 101 for Dummies - this looks at the economic problem and how to avoid them, The Cartel - this video examines how American schools are failing even though a lot of public spending is being put into them and WARNING TO : WE THE PEOPLE OF CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.avi - looks at how our 'founding fathers' didnt want to create a democracy. This videos will persuade individuals into believing certain ideologies about the current economic state of America, Obama's influence and how to stand up against these rules and regulations.

Unfortunatly i didnt get to listen to the radio show, however their description seems to get people to come and speak, presumably to shed negativity onto America's economics and politics, and they speak of the new today and explain their views. I can only presume that they would try and use this as evidence that this isnt an irrational group trying to cause problems, but actually they views are supported by others and facts from the news.

On every page if you are a member they do try and insist you invite other people, this would be so they can spread their message, they currently have around 90,437 members, so their is clearly a similar view and ideology that is shared by many Americans.

I would say this website constintly tries to persuade the reader to join them and see their points of view, which may be seen as quite intimidating and full on for many people, although they do raise interesting points and support them by all the different media footage they have.

Mark Zuckerberg. A New And Exceptional American.

Mark Zuckerberg is one of the most successful young persons today; having become a billionaire by the age of 23 though his hugely popular website Facebook, now used by over 800 million people. Whilst he didn't invent the idea of social networking the reason why he was able to succeed was because he took existing ideas and added his own creative input along with the input of others to create a very easily accessible and widely marketable system anyone can use. Certainly the story of Facebook and it's founder in my opinion is an example that the new and exceptional American that De Crevecouer puts forward. It also alludes to another idea of De Crevecouer; the fact that a man as young as he can strike it rich and become one of the wealthiest people in the world on the grounds of a new idea and during a massive economic downturn is very much in the vein of De Crevecouer's idea that in America "The avenues of trade are infinite".

Bill Gates.

Bill Gates encompasses some of the key idea put forward in Crèvecœur's Letter from an American Farmer. There is a strong sense in the book that America was a place where, if you are industrious, you could flourish and reap rewards based on how hard you work. Bill Gates' has obviously achieved this. He is a Havard University drop-out and was arrested for a traffic violation in 1977. Despite these, with ingeunuity and inventiveness, he has become the 10th most powerful man in the world (According to the Forbes list has of 2011 - http://www.forbes.com/wealth/powerful-people#p_1_s_arank) and is the second richest man on the Planet.
It is said by Crèvecœur in the novel: "How thankful ought we to be, that they reared us in a Land, where sobriety and industry never fail to meet with the most ample rewards!" This is still alive today and many people in America still hold this value. Take, for example, Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, along with the aforementioned buisnessman, Bill gates.

Obama !

I chose this image of Barack Obama to represent how America still is the land of the 'new' and 'exceptional.'

I believe this image shows this, as only 200 years ago black people would have been sold and bought as slaves and less than 50 years ago Martin Luther King made his memorable 'i have a dream' speech to try and bring equality to black people. Although by 2008 America had a black president. This is seen as astonishing that we would see this in out life time and amazing that a black man was able to run for presidency, let alone win the campaign and become president of America.

Letters from an American farmer details how black slaves from Africa were mistreated in America ' a negro, suspended in the cage and left there to expire!'

This in comparison to a black man being able to run America shows the 'new' change of America and how this 'new' is still a surviving image of the nation.

This emphasises the idea of America as a 'new place' as in letters from an American farmer, America is seen as the land of opportunity and a better country than any other in the world. This is still recognised today with many people immigrating to America to live the 'dream.' For Barack Obama whose ancestors would of been seen as second class citizens, by being 'born' in America or 'coming' to America has allowed him to chase the American dream and change the original ideology of the 'new.'

This is why it is also seen as 'exceptional' that a black person only a few years back would have not been equal to have their say or equal rights and opportunities as others, could then be running one of the worlds most powerful nations. I think it's also important to look at the ideologies around this concept as over time this has changed and developed. From the book letters to an American farmer, the whole land was new and you could be whoever you liked and at this point in time this was recognised as what you wanted to achieve, to be in the land of the 'new.'

However in today's society due to the slave trade and the inequality black people have faced it would seem that they would want to achieve being an influential and powerful representatives for your nation. So i believe that the ideas around America still being 'new' and 'exceptional' are still a clear vision for many, due to people becoming equal and being able to do and say as they please, which is represented through Barack Obama.

Christopher Columbus 'discovers' America

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/columbus.htm
This is the link to the website that holds an extract of Christopher Columbus's account of finding America.

This account/ diary explains more of what they think when they first arrive to the island and there initial expectations.

"Having landed, they saw trees very green, and much water, and fruits of diverse kinds. The Admiral called to the two captains, and to the others who leaped on shore, and to Rodrigo Escovedo, secretary of the whole fleet, and to Rodrigo Sanchez of Segovia, and said that they should bear faithful testimony that he, in presence of all, had taken, as he now took, possession of the said island for the King and for the Queen his Lords, making the declarations that are required, as is now largely set forth in the testimonies which were then made in writing."

I believe that this part of the extract is key in understanding why they were so keen on taking America as there own. The sight of fertile land, water, fruit (an almost tropical setting) would have very strong allusions to that of the Garden of Eden. Many devout Christians in Western Europe believed that the land and country was corrupt, so this asserts the belief that America was a second chance for the settlers to start a fresh new life of worship, free of Sin.

However, the mentality of ownership is extremely strong. That now they have found this Island, it is theirs for the taking and even wrote up documents stating that they would own or possess the 'said island.'

Such ownership was seen in the extract shown in the Exploration and Expectation lecture. More specifically, http://www.yoism.org/?q=node/60.

In this, ownership is raised again when it is said that the Natives found living upon the Island would make 'perfect slaves'. Of course, by today's standard, this is extremely barbaric, cruel and most definitely unchristian.

His findings obviously documented some curiosities about the land that they had come to find. They were obviously thrilled with the Land, which was indeed Adarmic in nature. However, they were also fascinated by the people that populated the Island.

"They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features"

It appears here that Columbus refers to the people that they find among the Island more like cattle or a commoditiy than actual human beings - which is very reflective of the time, but also indicates the intentions that he himself, and the people who have arranged the Voyage have.

A Map Of Virginia - 'Written by Captaine Smith, sometimes Governour of the Countrey'

Oringinally loading an account by a Captain of a ship that sailed to America, I couldn't ignore his, and many others continous references to a certain Captain John Smith. John Smith a highly publised character due to the famous Disney film, gives a very intriguing account on Virginia.
<http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/jamestown-browse?id=J1008>
His account starts with those that have passed then continues with words and sentances used by the Native Americans, thus proving that he did spend a great deal of time with them and almost showing respect for them as human beings rather than a curiosity unlike those reading his account 'Because many doe desire to knowe the maner of their language.'
Advancing further he goes on to explain what Virginia is like, he paints a picture of a bountiful land, indeed he suggests,
'Within is a country that may have the prerogative over the most pleasant places of Europe, Asia, Africa, or America. for large and pleasant navigable rivers: heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for means of habitation being of our constitutions, were it fully manured and inhabited by industrious people.'
John Smith seemingly fully embraces this new world, you almost imagine him to be standing in an open plain ' as God first made it' looking towards the mountains which are covered with snow in the winter 'as if art it selfe had devised them' with his feet submerged in the 'solie lusty and rich,' he is a portrait of heriocness, romanticising his surroundings therefore leading the audience to do the same, to imagine the garden of Eden an open Nivarna. His narrative focuses on the positives rather than to dwell on the negatives of drought or flood.
Continuing farther he adresses the bordering rivers and tribes, however what surprised me was he talks about the inhabitants, especially the men as being 'serviceable ' and 'able' thus already thinking of using the men, to introduce them as one society rather than the us and them. Futhermore how the inhabitants are so well adapted to their surroundings, how their voices are like 'echoes', their stance 'seemed the godliest man that ever we beheld.' He has chosen words that describe the Native Americans as a non threatening presence, indeed they are tall, with muscular physics, long hair, graceful strides and odd but beautiful trinkets, being 'Giants to the English' however are 'of an honest and simple disposition.' This New World offers plenty and variety throughout all seasons from fruit to birds to fish with land that is ripe for planting.
Towards the end we learn about how Captaine Smith has come to learn of the ways of the tribes, "they found Captaine Smith in the discoverie of the head of the river of Chickahamania, where they slew his men, and tooke him prisoner in a Bogmire; where he saw those exercises, and gathered these observations. " This does not seem as friendly of a picture he has painted to us before, thus in providing us with that small statement he again has kept his herioc stance, also now he knows everything about them they no longer are of a threat, however this does not seem a situation that could have have been avoided yet he is quick to leave the subject.
The last paragraphs gives us an insight into the objective of this narrative "I have purposely collected, to satisfie my friends of the true worth and qualitie of Virginia. He suggests that Virginia is a new beginning a land of opportunity, I found this account to be one of interest as this narrative allows you to identify with the land and the curiosities it beholds within.

"Nova Britania: Offering Most Excellent Fruites By Planting In Virginia"

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/jamestown-browsemod?id=J1051

The account I chose to analyse is one by an early settler whom we know only as R.I. and was printed in 1609 as a pamphlet for investors in the Virginia Company, and is addressed to Sir Thomas Smith, treasurer of the Virginia Company.

The main weakness of this source is that we know very little of it's provenance; we do not even know the name of the person who wrote it, simply his initials, let alone whether he went to America or not and how much of his account is based on hearsay. However I chose it nonetheless because it is essentially trying to promote investment and settlement in America, much like De Bry's engravings.

N.B. The version of the text I chose was the modern spelling one, the original spelling is available on the site as well.

Much of the text talks about the history of settlement and discovery in America by the Christian Kingdoms of Europe,I cannot say in perfect honesty that I understand it, even in modern English.

These paragraphs however provides a good insight into Jamestown and the surrounding area:

"The country itself is large and great assuredly, though as yet, no exact discovery can be made of all. It is also commendable and hopeful every way, the air and climate most sweet and wholesome , much warmer then England, and very agreeable to our Natures: It is inhabited with wild and savage people, that live and lie up and down in troops like herd of Deer in a Forest : they have no law but nature, their skins of beasts, but most go naked: the better sort have houses, but poor ones, they have no Arts nor Science, yet they live under superior command such as it is, they are generally very loving and gentle, and do entertain and relieve our people with great kindness : they are easy to be brought to good, and would fain embrace a better condition: the land yields naturally for the sustentation of man, abundance of fish, both scale and shell: of land and water fowls , infinite store: of Deer , Kaine and Fallow, Stags , Coneys, and Hares, with many fruits and roots good for meat .

There are valleys and plains streaming with sweet Springs, like veins in a natural body : there are hills and mountains making a sensible proffer of hidden treasure, never yet searched: the land is full of minerals , plenty of woods (the wants of England) there are growing goodly Oaks and Elms , Beech and Birch, Spruce, Walnut, Cedar and Fir trees, in great abundance , the soil is strong and lusty of its own nature, and sends out naturally fruitful Vines running upon trees, and shrubs : it yields also Rosin, Turpentine, Pitch and Tar , Sassafras, Mulberry -trees and Silk-worms , many Skins and rich furs , many sweet woods , and Dyers woods , and other costly dyes: plenty of Sturgeon , Timber for Shipping, Mast, Plank and Deal , Soap ashes, Caviar , and what else we know not yet, because our days are young. But of this that I have said, if bare nature be so amiable in its naked kind, what may we hope, when Art and Nature both shall join , and strive together, to give best content to man and beast? as now in handling the several parts propounded, I shall show in order as they lie."

The two main points this extract tells us and the intended audience is A, the land's inhabitants are primitive and uncivilised, yet friendly and easy to control, and B, the land is very suitable for settlement and is full of wild animals and fishes to be eaten.

The latter's allure to a potential settler or investor is clear, this new world is plentiful in resources and will yield a good lifestyle/good profit for people who settle or invest there, in the second it further details the resources that are available as well as the untapped ones ("there are hills and mountains making a sensible proffer of hidden treasure, never yet searched"), all of which can be harvested and sold back in Europe for profit. Of course the account neglects to mention the close proximity of the settlement to a swamp and the fact that it is surrounded by woodland.

The former point also has a allure to settlers, which is that the native people are weak and therefore the likelihood of being driven out by them is unlikely, and, more to the point, when the area of settlement is full settling the lands of the natives via conquest will be easy. Indeed earlier in the account R.I. states:

"their (the Indians) strength and means far inferior to their aspires ... their best and chiefest residences were scattered with so poor and slender troups, that with handfuls of men (at sundry times) we ran through all, surprising and sacking their strongest forts and towns in those parts, and might long since with ease, following and seconding our forces, have set them to their stint."

It is clear therefore from this account that the interference of natives should prove to be no problem for the settlers, at least according to the account. The reality of course was different.

#will finish later#