Composers have the ability to influence how we the audience views and responds to characters and issues. Through viewing and analysing ‘The Shoe Horn Sonata’ by John Misto and ‘Saving Private Ryan’ directed by Steven Spielberg, it is obvious that composers have the ability to impact and influence our views on characters and issues that occur. Shoe Horn Sonata and Saving Private Ryan were set in the same context of World War 2. John Misto’s Shoe Horn Sonata takes place during the war against Japan, the play focus on the lives of two women Bridie and Sheila who have been captured by the Japanese to become (POW) prisoners of war. John Misto’s play was based on real accounts from POWs, the play was to commemorate the female POWS who story was unheard of and to give an insight to the audience into what the POWs had to endure while under the japanese rule. The quote ‘I did not have the power to build a memorial, so i wrote a play instead’ reveals to us John Misto’s view on the forgotten heroes of the war, that the POWs deserve just as much respect as the soldiers do. The play was also written to criticise the British and Australian government actions and how they responded to the POWs “Just keep smiling”. This statement that was sent to the POWs reveal to us how out of touch the government is. The composer engages with the concept of distinctively visual using a powerful image of comradeship, friendship and loyalty through Bridie and Sheila’s interactions. Techniques such as
Representations of events in the past are created through choice of historical evidence and personal memory. Factors utilised by a composer to demonstrate a purpose are consciously chosen to ensure the idolised meaning is constructed. Mark Bakers non-fiction text The Fiftieth Gate articulates the manifestations of the holocaust, contrasting historical facts with personal memory. Bakers deliberate utilisation of differing perspectives integrated throughout the text, challenges and questions the validity of both history and memory. Similarly Steve McQueen’s film 12 years a slave and Redgums song “I was only 19”, exhibit the composer’s choices of particular historical knowledge and memory, idolising the idea of selection defining perspective.
An individual’s life, identity, and their relationship with other people can be impacted by the suffering and loss that war and its aftermath bring. Australian composers address these issues in their novel to convey the Australian identity. Australia composer Sue Lawson explores and creates images of the Australian identity through their actions, words and personality. Showing the effects of war not just of immediate generation but those who follow war. In exploring clear features and techniques of the Novel FINDING DARCY we find that the protagonist and antagonist eventually connect and interact with each other.
Contention-As we know, Michael Gow’s ‘Away’ draws heavily from the lives of Australians after the Vietnam War. Coral and her journey to the Gold Coast after the loss of her son to the War is one major example of a transformational journey, physically and emotionally, and can be seen throughout the play as Michael Gow employs an abundant use stage props, movement and actions, and character intent to demonstrate the power of the journey she takes. The emotional and physical journey undertaken by Coral after the Vietnam war may be evident in her use of props in act 5 of the play, described as “Coral comes in carrying her hat upside down,” followed by “she digs her hands into the crown of the hat and lifts out a handful of shells,” may be perceived
The above described change in the narrative approach allows the filmic narrative agent to develop characters who are perceived as secondary in King 's novella. For example, Brooks Halten, the librarian whose place Andy takes over. Brooks is mentioned briefly in the book and his story represents the theme of institutionalism. Red believes that Brooks will be able to survive in the outside world: ' ' In prison, Brooks had been a person of some importance.
In Sherman Alexie’s short story, “War Dances,” the narrator unravels in thoughts and takes us through events in his life. He picks up by speaking about a cockroach that ends up dying in his Kafka baggage from a trip to Los Angeles. The cockroach still appears many times throughout the story. The narrator spends quality time in the hospital with his father, who is recovering from surgery due to diabetes and alcoholism, all along the way while he, himself, discovers he might have a brain tumor, leading his right ear to talk about his father. Using a style of tragedy and care both incorporate together a symbolic story that would make even a plain reader feel touched, leading to the major occurrence of a theme of the importance of family.
We live in a world where we have to hide to make love, while violence is practiced in broad daylight. John Lennon. Based on his own reading and reflection, Bruce Dawe constructs his attitudes towards war in his poems, Homecoming and Weapons Training, believing it to be lacking sense historically and ultimately futile. By specifically addressing an Australian cultural context, the poet exposes a universal appeal in that the insensitivity and anonymity are common attitudes towards soldiers during war. Dawe clearly expresses his ‘anti-war sentiment’ through his use of language and imagery as he examines the dehumanising aspects of war and its brutal reality.
These representations are essential in creating an entertaining performance to shape the overall dramatic meaning. An example found consecutively in the performance is Brechtian sign posting. Key words and dates are clearly painted on the walls by actors to express the play as educational by presenting historical facts. Later in the performance the walls are whitewashed therefore symbolising the indigenous involvement that had been lost. Contradicting this, a flame is positioned stage right to symbolise the Australian war memorial, the Eternal Flame.
In Hollywood, it’s rare, very rare for a name to be associated with as many great projects as John Williams is. Aside from producer Jerry Bruckheimer, I can think of no one but Williams to sit on that throne, and rightfully so. The films he composed for are now either cult classics, regarded as genre-starters or artistic masterpieces. It is virtually impossible to list all of Williams’ scores, specially when most, if not all, are considered works of art that deserves full on explanation of their whys and hows. Having said that, some of his work reached and surpassed your good ol’ epicness level to reach a whole new level. Of those works, the most notoriously known is Star Wars.
Part two portrays the initiation of Germany's invasion in other countries. Specifically in the book, the invasion was in Moscow and Leningrad, Russia, from Hitler's belief in the assassination of “weaker races” to gain prominent power in Europe. During this time in WWII, Shostakovich denies any failure in his city and country, in doing so, he wrote the Leningrad symphony to represent his fellow citizens and passion for hope for their country while enduring through this fight in WWII. Part three demonstrates the end of the war and Russias victory agianst the Nazi’s as well as the death of the old dictator in Leningrad. This gave freedom to musical culture in Leningrad.
Social commentary is the use of a medium by the composer to address a social concern with the aim of promoting change. Social commentary critically examines a variety of issues present in the composer’s world, and also demonstrates the composer’s perspective on these issues. This can be effectively seen in the short films Copy Shop (2001), directed by Virgil Widrich, and L’Homme sans Tête (2003), directed by Juan Solanas. Widrich and Solanas each provide commentaries which criticise society through exploration of social issues. Widrich comments on the homogeneity of an increasingly conformist society.
Introduction Roger’s and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is arguably one of the most well known films that many can admit to watching at least once in their lifetime. People all around the world have found this musical inspiring, as it documents growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II. This incredibly well written film is based on the story of the Von Trapp family who escaped Austria when the Nazis invaded it during the war. Part of what made this movie so interesting on so many different accounts was the music that accompanied the vivid and exciting scenes. Without music, many could agree that our world would be a sad, quiet, dull and depressing place.
In the poems “Disabled” by Wilfred Owen and “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo” by Tony Harrison, both poems present the truths of war. However, both differ in terms of setting and contrast that help depicts the similarities between their theme. Disabled takes place within World War I as Owen vividly describes the subject’s amputation, but the poem is centered around the subject’s adjustment to civilian life after war. In The Bright Lights of Sarajevo although Harrison discusses the consequences of partaking in war in the town, he illustrates the way in which life goes on regardless the horrific impact. Through use of setting and contrast, both poets contribute to presenting the theme of the realities of war.
Art holds the ability to tell a story. Not only does it tell a story through it’s explicit elements, such as a play’s plot or a monument’s quotations, but also in the context that they are implemented. In order to truly garner the message of any artwork, it is important to factor in why and how their elements exist. Two different pieces of art, the World War II Memorial and Arthur Miller’s All My Sons both seek to portray aspects of World War II. However, the ways in which they do so differ due to the varying inherent constraints of the medium.
Considering the background when the play was performed, the play would plainly shown the actual life in the trenches, creating feelings such as sympathy and empathy towards the protagonist Stanhope. Not only through the background, the characteristics of Stanhope, such as care towards other soldiers and resisting his fear and pain clearly portray Stanhope as a character to be admired. Also, the effect of this play which gives lingering imagery towards audience makes the audience to think again about the war and Stanhope which changes the view point towards Stanhope, admirable, family like
Critiques of social concerns have constantly been achieved by composers, which simultaneously offer insight into the composer’s point of view. Social commentary encompasses the composer’s opinions on societal practices, which automatically makes it their viewpoint. This is evident in Tom Tykwer’s 1992 short film Epilog and Erez Tadmor and Guy Nattiv’s 2003 short film Strangers. Epilog provides social commentary on society’s lack of personal accountability while Strangers criticises unnecessary construction of barriers between race and culture while they would unite for a common adversary. By effectively utilising mise-en-scene and non-diegetic sound, both composers successfully appraise society.