Language and Political Theory in Construction of Japanese Identity

In part, the idea of Japanese identity was shaped by two important forces, namely language and political theory or ideology. In particular, these factors influenced many philosophers, political scientists, and linguists who attempted to single out the main distinctions of Japanese people and their society.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Language and Political Theory in Construction of Japanese Identity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This paper is aimed showing how language and political theory were used for the construction of Japanese identity. While discussing the role of the Japanese language, many intellectuals emphasize its distinguishing features, rather than similarities to other languages. It should be noted that Japan adopted and modified the Chinese writing system. Moreover, before the eighth century, Chinese was the language spoken by educated people (Heisig, Kasulis, and Maraldo 1010). Later J apanese intellectuals attempted to minimize the impact of Chinese culture. This is why scholars tried to discover the Japanese language which existed before contacts with China and its cultural tradition (Heisig, Kasulis, and Maraldo 1011). To some extent, this quest for the old language highlighted the idea that Japan was distinct from China or any other country. Certainly, this assumption might not be shared by every person living in the country, but it definitely influenced the rhetoric of intellectuals and scholars. Additionally, the expression of emotions in this language was also discussed by people who thought about Japanese identity. For example, one can mention the use of te-ni-o-ha or postpositive particles. They do not only perform grammatical functions, but also help the speaker express his or her emotions, attitudes, and feelings about ideas, actions or people (Heisig, Kasulis, and Maraldo 1015). This linguistic phenomenon gave rise to the belief that Japanese people te nd to focus more on emotional aspects of communication, rather than logic and cognition. Judging from the peculiarities of the language, many people even assumed that Japanese people lacked the ability to think in an abstract way.Advertising Looking for term paper on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Certainly, it is possible to challenge this assumption because abstract thinking does not necessarily rely on verbal means of communication. Nevertheless, this argument was put forward by both philosophers and scientists (Heisig, Kasulis, and Maraldo 1015). These are some of the ways in which language influenced the idea of Japanese identity, especially the way in which discussed by prominent Japanese thinkers. Another force which shaped the debates about Japanese identity was political life of the country, its form of government and the dominant ideology. These debates about political aspects of Japanese society began t o emerge in the late nineteenth century, when the influence of Western-European countries became stronger (Heisig, Kasulis, and Maraldo 1086). The Japanese intellectuals and scientists viewed technological progress and new modes of production very favorably, but one cannot say the same thing about political changes. For instance, Kita Ikki argued against the democratization of the society and said that it was in no way superior to other forms of government (Ikki as cited in Heisig, Kasulis, and Maraldo, 1022). Moreover, emperor was viewed as the key figure in the political life of a country. Thus, this attachment to monarchy was viewed as a form of loyalty to the past. It is often seen as a part of Japanese identity. This conflicting attitude toward the modernity gave rise to two several beliefs about Japanese people. In particular, according to widespread belief they had to possess such virtues as piety, loyalty, and respect for tradition. However, political scientists and philosop hers also stressed the idea that Japanese people were able to adopt, modify or perfect scientific achievements of the Western world. Thus, Japan and its people had to be loyal to their heritage, but at the same time open to new ideas. Only by reconciling these two needs, the country could retain its autonomy and political power in the word. Such concept as Kokutai was also important for the formation of Japanese identity. It implied that an individual and a nation had a certain historical mission (Heisig, Kasulis, and Maraldo 1025). Hence, the task of an individual was to contribute to the achievement of this goal.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on Language and Political Theory in Construction of Japanese Identity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Although, the mission was never formulated accurately, but the concept implied that a person had to be loyal to the group. Again, this argument was applied to reinfo rce the belief that Japanese people were superior to other Asian nations. Certainly, this political or cultural chauvinism is not included in the concept of Japanese identity. However, the notion of group loyalty does remain important for people who study or discuss Japanese identity. Thus, one can argue that language and political theory gave rise to certain assumptions about Japan and its people. For instance, one can speak about the attention to emotions, rather cognitive aspects of speech. Moreover, one can mention such values as respect for tradition, openness toward new ideas, and group loyalty. Although, these views are not always based on some empirical observations or statistical data, they are popular among scholars, philosophers and political scientists who examined the identity of Japanese people. In each case, the distinctions of Japan are emphasized, while less attention is paid to its similarities with other nations. Works Cited Heisig, James, T. Kasulis, J. Maraldo. Japanese Philosophy: A Sourcebook, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2011. Print. This term paper on Language and Political Theory in Construction of Japanese Identity was written and submitted by user Ricardo E. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Iraqi and Western Sahara Statehood essays

Iraqi and Western Sahara Statehood essays The state of Iraq has a turbulent history and has rarely stayed the same in its long history of different sovereign rulers over the territory. The battleground for different civilizations over centuries of political and religious rivalry, Iraq now finds itself divided into three distinct groups: the Kurds, the Sunni, and the Shia. Since its inception by the French and British in the First World War, Iraq has been a melting pot of different cultures. Yet, the Sunni population won out for control of the country in 1968 when the Ba'athis party overthrew the President Abdul Rahman Arif whose brother was responsible for the removal of the British installed Hashemite monarchy in 1958. Saddam Hussein rose to power in 1979 and installed a firm authoritative hold over the country, about the same time as the Iranian Revolution which resulted in Shi'ite Muslim theocratic state. The Ba'ath party and Saddam Hussein were primarily Sunni while they only composed about 35% of the population as oppo sed to the 65% Shia majority. The history and violence between both sects of the Islamic culture made the composition of the Iraqi state in the first place an uneasy Union. If the three main groups were split into two, there would be complications for each to cope with in order to become meet the criteria of statehood according to Article 1 of the Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States 1933. The legal qualifications for the international community require that the three new states would have to possess a permanent population, establish a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into legal relations with other states. Though there has been a large migration out of Iraq since the United States invasion in 2003, it is clear that there will be a permanent population in Iraq. There has always been competition for control of the land around the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. Combined with the oil fields in the north and sout...

English - Formative Narrative Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English - Formative Narrative - Essay Example This supposedly made him look evil. I guess he enjoyed that role. He was so enthusiastic that he started involving the congregation. While this young man was doing this, the choir was singing. The group of youth who was the choir was also part of the play. Their role was supposed to explain what this devil’ does to people. They did this through their lyrics. This means that the devil’ in the play never uttered a word. He kept on running to all corners of the church, making gestures that which the choir explained by the background music. I kept on watching all this in awe and some fear. For some reason, I never bothered to ask my mother what was happening. I tried to figure out what was going on notwithstanding my extremely tender age. At the back, of my mind, it felt like this guy; the devil’ was a dirty and awful guy. As long as the drama continued, fear rose within me. I remember looking around the church, and shockingly, people looked as nothing much was happe ning. In my opinion, we had a monster in the church and people acted as though all was well. Those made me cling on my mother more firmly. This happened whenever the devil was making his move towards me. For some reason, he never came frightfully near. That was particularly pertinent to me. I happened to be sitting near the aisle that divided the congregation into two parts. The people normally sat on wooden forms, and they had to squeeze each other because the space was small. This is the reason why most people sweat in the course of the church service. I noted that other small children who were around me had moved to aisle to that they could get a better glimpse of the play. They too were intrigued by the theatrics the devil’ was doing. Although I was scared to death by this horrifying being, I resolved to join the other young children at the aisle. I thought, for some reason; I could start to become as entertained by the play in the same way those children seemed to be. I cautiously dropped from my mother’s hands onto the floor. I never told her what I wanted. I think she sensed that I wanted to stand on my feet as opposed to being carried in the church. I made an extraordinarily careful move towards the aisle. I was genuinely frightened; however I wanted to have a better view of the play. Something kept on telling me to watch what was happening. The only problem was whether the devil’ could end up coming towards me. With much caution and apprehension, I walked to the aisle and peeped at the pulpit from the edge of the aisle. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the play. The devil’ was far enough. That gave me the impetus to keep on watching. All of a sudden the devil made a fast move towards a decently dressed man in the congregation. My heart skipped a beat. But then, the young man rose on his feet and started to resist him. I thought to myself what a strong man?’ After a period of struggle, the devil backed off and run . I would later learn that the young man was supposed to demonstrate how believers should resist the devil. The bible says that depart from the evil, resist the devil, and he shall free form you’. That is what happened. The devil’ would pick different members of the congregation at random and seemingly try to attack them. He did this with such zeal, that I had been convinced that it was truly happening. In the choir, the singers were keeping on rebuking him and pointing at him. My defining moment finally came. With an extremely high speed, the devil suddenly was

Assignemt 4 ,investing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assignemt 4 ,investing - Essay Example The company places significant importance on innovation. This gives the company a cutting edge in comparison to its competitors. M.A.C cosmetics also defined as Makeup-Art and Cosmetics. The company was initiated by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo in the year 1984. The concept of M.A.C was perceived initially by Frank Angelo. Toskan was a celebrated makeup artist and Angelo was the proprietor of chain of hair salon. The common interest in fashion shared by both brought the two together in creating the brand M.A.C. Angelo and Toskan realized the need of a reliable make up brand in the market. Both recognized the need of a makeup brand that was durable, creative and versatile. The makeup was mostly aimed for the makeup requirement at photo shoots. Està ©e Lauder in 1994 gained the controlling interest in MAC and the acquisition was settled in 1998. M.A.C is now one of the celebrated brands of Està ©e Lauder. In 1994 the MAC AIDS was introduced. The year before MAC was acquired by Estee Lauder Frank Angelo due to health complications passed away and Toskan also chose to exit from the company. MAC religiously don ates 100% of their selling profit from their brand Viva Glam to the MAC AIDS fund. John Demsey was appointed at the post of Group President in the year 2006. He is currently responsible for the brands M.A.C, Sean, John, La Mer, and Jo Malone, Bobbi Brown, Prescriptives under the Estee Lauder group. In the year 2005 Mr. John Demsey was appointed as Global Brand President of Estee Lauder after his appointment as the President and Managing Director of M.A.C from the year 1998. From the year 1991 till 1998 Mr. Demsey has held several positions with Estee Lauder, including the post of Senior Vice president of Sales and Education (Estee Lauder, USA & Canada). Before joining Estee Lauder Mr. Demsey worked for Revlon, Alexandra de Markoff , Lancaster cosmetics and Borghese Mr. Demsey currently also holds several executive retail positions

Madly desirous for glory Essay Example for Free

Madly desirous for glory Essay In the second letter Walton writes about his progress to Archangel. In the letter he describes his crew. Waltons description of his ships master suggests that he is the embodiment of goodness. He frequently applauds the courage of his lieutenant. The lieutenant is madly desirous for glory. In this letter the theme of alienation arises. Like Victor, Waltons ambitions isolate him from his family and friends: But it is a still greater evil to me that I am self educated. Shelleys choice of words are designed to anticipate Victors need of a friend. It does this by implying that Walton is annoyed that he had no one to teach him, and that he had no companions. The third letter that Walton sends simply expresses confidence in his quest: I write a few lines in haste to say that I am safe and well advanced on my voyage. Shelley may have decided to add a short letter to show that Walton maybe playing down the dangers of his voyage. He finishes the letter by saying: Heaven bless my beloved sister. This clearly shows that Walton is a caring person.  The fourth letter is when Walton catches a glimpse of the creature. The crew take Victor on board. Walton believes that he has found a friend in Victor, and confides his ambition. This letter emphasises the admiration and affection that Victor inspires in Walton, who sees great nobility in this divine wanderer. In some ways Walton can be seen as a double to Victor Frankenstein. Walton rebels against his fathers decision for him to not go to sea. This is very similar to Frankensteins father, who dismissed Victors interests in science. Walton decides against the life of ease, he explains that My life might have been passed in ease and luxury, he explains, but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my way. Shelley has added this to show a relationship between Victor and Walton. This shows that they have similar characteristics, and desire the same things from life. The fact that Walton is introduced before Frankenstein may show that Shelley was preparing the reader for Victors desire for knowledge. Although the two characters can be related to each other, they also have significant differences. Walton is not quite so alienated as Victor. Rather then rejecting companionship, Walton longs for an intimate friend to share his hopes and dreams. To add to this point, Walton is also is not so isolated in his search for knowledge, whereas Victor, whose midnight labours and secret toil keep him completely secluded. The fact that Walton had a crew around him prevented him from falling into the trap of Victors individualism. The first chapter begins in an embedded narrative, with Victor telling his story to Walton. Victor begins his story by describing his early life in Geneva, his tranquil domestic life and the young orphan Elizabeth, who becomes part of the household. Victors interest in science eventually takes him to university at Inglostadt. His experiments lead him to the discovery of a secret life force. He constructs a human form out of dead tissue and brings it to life. Horrified by his actions, Victor abandons the creature. One of the main themes portrayed by Shelley in this novel is that of birth and creation. When Victor gave life to the creature, he usurps the role of God. Victor imagines how, A new species would bless me as its creator and source No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs. This shows that Victors main crime is not what he had done, but what he failed to do. He failed to father his creation. Victor is an isolated individual. However, unlike Walton, Frankensteins isolation is self imposed. It is also ironic in the sense that Victor rejects his family and friends, whilst this is simply what the creature longs for. Victor claims that the rejection of his family is necessary in order to continue the quest for the secret life. Alienation is a key factor in this novel. Victor chooses to isolate himself from others, whereas the creatures isolation is imposed upon him, due to Victor abandoning him, and people being generally scared of his appearance. However the creature does desire companionship, and he says that he becomes violent when he realises that he will never have this, I am malicious because I am miserable. This shows that the creature is humane in the sense that all he wants is a companion, much like any human. So the fact that the creature only becomes malicious because I am miserable represents that people become monstrous when the are isolated, and rejected from so ciety. When Victor creates the creature, he is flooded with a huge feeling of anti-climax. Victor repulses the creature on first sight. He refers to the creature as the wretch and is horrifies by the thing that he has given life to. This shows that Victor is only concerned with physical appearance. This shows intolerance of imperfection and a flaw in Victors character. Victor rejects the creation; this is like a father rejecting his child. When the creature came to life Victor may have realised the enormity of the monstrous deeds that he had committed. The passage in the novel shows Victor to be a monster, as he does not even try to understand the monsters cries for help. He has forsaken any duties he is expected to perform as a father. When the creature awoke from his sleep he convulsed. When Victor awakes from his sleep, his muscles also convulse. This could be one of the first signs that the creature is a double of Victor. Victor even describes the monster as my own spirit let loose from the grave forced to destroy all that was dear to me Victor has given a clear expression of the notion that he and the creature may be doubles, with the creature acting out Victors own aggressions. Shelleys description of the creature is full of pathos. The first things that the creature desires are love and affection, as all newborn things want. However, Victor denies him this. When Victor awakes from his dream, he finds the creature reaching out a hand towards him. Victor rejects this appeal for help from the creature.  This passage from the novel may parody The creation of man by Michelangelo, which shows God stretching out his hand to give life to Adam. The analogy of this is that Victor is playing God and that the creature is Adam. Another parody is the story of Prometheus, who stole fire from the Gods and gave it to the people on earth. The analogy of this is that Victor has stolen the power of life from the Gods and given it to the people. This is the reason for the book has the subtitle The modern Prometheus. Victor may be seen as monstrous in this passage, as he is usurping the role of woman, which goes against the laws of nature.

Jane Eyre :: essays research papers

Ten-year-old orphan Jane Eyre lives unhappily with her wealthy, cruel cousins and aunt at Gateshead. Her only salvation from her daily humiliations, such as being locked up in a "red-room" (where she thinks she sees her beloved uncle's ghost), is the kindly servant, Bessie. Jane is spared further mistreatment from the Reed family when she is sent off to school at Lowood, but there, under the hypocritical Evangelicalism of the headmaster, Mr. Brocklehurst, she suffers further privations in the austere environment. She befriends Helen Burns, who upholds a doctrine of Christian forgiveness and tolerance, and is taken under the wing of the superintendent, Miss Temple. An outbreak of typhus alerts benefactors to the school's terrible conditions, Mr. Brocklehurst is replaced, and Jane excels as a student for six years and as a teacher for two. Jane finds employment as a governess at the estate of Thornfield for a little girl, Adà ¨le. After much waiting, Jane finally meets her employer, Edward Rochester, a brooding, detached man who seems to have a dark past. Other oddities around Thornfield include the occasional demonic laugh Jane hears emanating from the third-story attic. Rochester always attributes it to Grace Poole, the seamstress who works up there, but Jane is never fully convinced, and the fire she has to put out one night in Rochester's bedroom plants further doubts. Meanwhile, Jane develops an attraction for Rochester, not based on looks (both are considered plain) but on their intellectual communion. However, the higher social standing of the beautiful Miss Ingram seemingly vaults her above Jane. Though Rochester flirts with the idea of marrying Miss Ingram, he is aware of her financial ambitions for marriage. An old acquaintance of Rochester's, Richard Mason, visits Thornfield and is severely injured from an attack†¹apparently from Grace†¹in the middle of the night in the attic. Jane, baffled by the circumstances, tends to him, and Rochester confesses to her that he made an error in the past that he hopes to overturn by marrying Miss Ingram. He says that he has another governess position for Jane lined up elsewhere. Jane returns to Gateshead for a while to see the dying Mrs. Reed. When she returns to Thornfield, Rochester says he knows Miss Ingram is after him only for his money, and he asks Jane to marry him. Jane accepts, but a month later, Mason and a solicitor, Mr. Briggs, interrupt the ceremony by revealing that Rochester already has a wife: Bertha Mason, Mason's sister, a lunatic who is kept in the attic in Thornfield.

Blended Families in Today’s Society Essay

Blended families, according to William P. Fuller the author of Preparing for Blended Families, are those comprising of at least one spouse who has a child or children from a prior relationship. These types of families â€Å"are becoming increasingly common and present a unique challenge when creating an estate plan† (Fuller 1). Similarly, according to Pauline Erera, â€Å"although traditionalists have held blood ties of consanguinity to be a defining characteristic of the family, others argue that we should define families according to the attachments and intimacy that individuals have toward significant people in their lives†, meaning even though they are a blended family, they should be considered a family none the less (Erera 352). A nuclear family, or the more commonly known traditional family, consists of a marriage by holy union and the promise to keep that marriage holy by staying with that one person â€Å"until death do us part. This includes the raising of any children within the family and the promise to provide them with food, shelter, clothing, water, and nourishment as well. Yet, there is still a need for a law which protects the marriage itself. This law states that it recognizes husbands of inseminated women as the real fathers and denies parental rights to donors or step-parents. Although, we still leave room in this law for things known as adoption, foster parenting, or informal care by other relatives. This is where blended families begin to show. Blended families seem to be considered the result of a previous divorce. Therefore, causing the need for the terms step-brother, step-sister, step-father, etc. Blended families then seem to become less of a family simply because of the creation of these terms, and their specific meanings. For example, it seems to be less meaningful to be step-brothers rather than actual biological, blood related, brothers. In the article, Toward Revels or a Requiem for Family Diversity? , Judith Stacey states that â€Å"the social scientists seem to have presumed that well into the twenty-first century dad and mom would remain singular and unproblematic concepts† (Stacey 390). Unfortunately, they were wrong. Although they predicted that the traditional family would remain unchanged, they seemed to have overlooked the fact that in time, marriage would not be as final as it used to be. There was no such thing as a proper divorce, once you were married, that was it. But in today’s world, â€Å"until death do us part† is not seen as often as divorce. Another overlooked remark of the social scientists is the fact that the family tree did not remain so â€Å"firmly rooted. On the contrary, the family tree has been split, blended, mixed, crossed, and spread throughout several generations of families. The word Family, in today’s American society, has so many different meanings that it is hard to distinguish one from another. Being able to categorize every single definition of the word is a task that no one has yet completed. Although, each and every meaning has one little difference, it all comes down to the same thing. A family is a family.