I thought that class this week was very interesting. On Tuesday we discussed signs, signifiers and signified. Dr. Casey gave us examples of gas station logos and proved to us that we group things together in language. When we are driving and out of gas, we see a gas station as a place to get gas. However, when we are going to a BYOB party and we don’t have any beer, we begin seeing a gas station as a place that we can purchase the beer for the party.
I also thought that the youtube video on the signs was funny, because sometimes things are said to get our attention, and sometimes we fail to realize what things really mean because we tend to get extremely busy. It was also interesting how we looked at 6 words on the overhead and all came up with completely different plots. This really proved that in language, sometimes when the author doesn’t say something, we begin looking deeper into it and creating multiple meanings for it. The meanings of what we see or read is determined by the individual, but the meanings will vary from person to person. Everyone in the world will never agree on what something means. There are so many versions of recipes, religions, instruction manuals…etc
I liked the quote that he chose to discuss from the reading “is not the most erotic portion of a body where the garment gapes?” (Barthes, 108) He explained that the most sexual part about nudity is about what leads up to the person becoming naked. He said that if you walk into a strip club and everyone is completely nude, then there is no excitement. It is Barthes’ opinion that this is the same things that occurs when we are reading or watching movies…etc.
I am very glad that he discussed the reading so in depth, because prior to the class I was extremely confused on what I was reading, but now I feel that I have grasped the concepts of the authors for the most part.
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1 comment:
Good job with elaborating on your ideas to fill the 300 words for the blog. You show a good understanding of last weeks class. You make some good points, but don't forget about the stuff we went over with DeSaussure; you say that no one will ever agree on one thing, think back to Tuesdays class with the notion of the shared language within one community - might people agree on something despite varying tmesis if they grow up in a community of set beliefs? It's a good idea to connect theorists early in this way so exams will seem easier.
Smiley Face :)
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