The Entertainment Value of a Buffy the Vampire Episode :: Buffy Vampire Slayer Essays

In this essay I ultimately want to address the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Once More with Feeling" (season 6, episode 7). However, I do not want to look at this episode in isolation from the remainder of the Buffy franchise but rather argue that it exemplifies a certain entertainment strategy that courses through the Buffyverse. Now it seems to me that entertainment is either too often denigrated as a specific ideological formation that produces negative effects of audience passivity as against more overtly challenging texts, or, alternatively, entertainment is celebrated within a postmodern theoretical framework that views the multiplicity of pleasures afforded as inherently productive and even oppositional. Alternatively I want to concentrate on entertainment for entertainment's sake which is to say as a dialectical operation that in Fredric Jameson's terms intermingles wish fulfilment and repression by arousing radical fantasies in order to contain them (Jameson, 1990: 25). In order to analyse this mechanism I will concentrate less on consumers and ideology (that assumes unilateral transmission) and more on fans and affect (that inscribes a dialectical procedure into reception). What seems to me to be of specific interest therefore is the manner in which Joss Whedon, Marti Noxon and the other writers/directors working on Buffy for Twentieth Century Fox target affect and fans by constructing scenarios that feed into and exceed audience expectation. I will argue that his formula culminates in the episode "Once More With Feeling" that ventures beyond Jameson's dialectical formula in that it appears to wilfully play with wish fulfilment/invocation that both figuratively and literally run the risk of arousing utopian fantasies that cannot be contained. Before turning to the musical episode in particular I believe our exposition would benefit from a brief survey of critical approaches to the Buffyverse. The critical material on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in print at least (see here the Slayage online journal), is expanding but currently somewhat limited. However, as a general rule two tendencies emerge. The first is to treat some self-contained aspect of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as an ideological work. Such analyses concentrate upon the encoded more or less implicitly pre-determined messages that the text transmits. Certainly some ideological responses are definitely triggered by Buffy and I will briefly make reference to two critical examples. Brian Wall and Michael Zyrd adopt a Marxist master frame of analysis to determine the world historical content of Buffy.

Whites v. Slaves :: American America History

Whites v. Slaves Throughout the nineteenth century, the relationship between Africans and White settlers had never been exactly pleasant, most Africans were slaves who were usually treated badly and therefore never did respect their white owners. However, over time, these slaves began to revolutionize their culture, language, and points of view based on their environment. Many changes were occurring in this period of time, thus creating countless opportunities for the African Americans to fabricate their new culture. A catalyst to this development of the new society is the noted differences the Africans and whites possess. Many of the Africans despised the whites, so they tired to stay as far away from them as possible, this rift in the peoples created the main African culture, purely based on the opposite ideas that the whites held. On the other hand, many times the White people would help out the Africans, and a bond would form between the slaves and their master. Although the groups tried to remain different in this situation, the ideas between the two mingled together and they influenced each other. As horrific as slavery may have seemed at the time, I think it may have been a "positive good", simply due to the actuality that at this time, White people were exceedingly ignorant, and without slavery, they possibly would not have a way of dealing with interactions with the slaves. As we look to post-Civil wartime, up to the time of MLK, we see that ignorance was an infestation throughout all of us, without the slavery, Africans were treated with the utmost disrespect. Common rights were stripped from them, and at times they were reduced to being treated like animals. During the period in question, the two races grew into coexisting without any major conflict or altercation. Comparatively to the north, the slave southern states did not seem to treat its workers any worse. It was said that at the time, the slaves were achieving better shelter, food and clothing. The migrant workers in the north at many times worked similar 10-14 hour shifts, and at many times, the slaved did not work that many hours, depending on what type of system they were working. Plus the workers up north did not have much food to eat, or clothes to wear, something the slaves did enjoy. Whites v. Slaves :: American America History Whites v. Slaves Throughout the nineteenth century, the relationship between Africans and White settlers had never been exactly pleasant, most Africans were slaves who were usually treated badly and therefore never did respect their white owners. However, over time, these slaves began to revolutionize their culture, language, and points of view based on their environment. Many changes were occurring in this period of time, thus creating countless opportunities for the African Americans to fabricate their new culture. A catalyst to this development of the new society is the noted differences the Africans and whites possess. Many of the Africans despised the whites, so they tired to stay as far away from them as possible, this rift in the peoples created the main African culture, purely based on the opposite ideas that the whites held. On the other hand, many times the White people would help out the Africans, and a bond would form between the slaves and their master. Although the groups tried to remain different in this situation, the ideas between the two mingled together and they influenced each other. As horrific as slavery may have seemed at the time, I think it may have been a "positive good", simply due to the actuality that at this time, White people were exceedingly ignorant, and without slavery, they possibly would not have a way of dealing with interactions with the slaves. As we look to post-Civil wartime, up to the time of MLK, we see that ignorance was an infestation throughout all of us, without the slavery, Africans were treated with the utmost disrespect. Common rights were stripped from them, and at times they were reduced to being treated like animals. During the period in question, the two races grew into coexisting without any major conflict or altercation. Comparatively to the north, the slave southern states did not seem to treat its workers any worse. It was said that at the time, the slaves were achieving better shelter, food and clothing. The migrant workers in the north at many times worked similar 10-14 hour shifts, and at many times, the slaved did not work that many hours, depending on what type of system they were working. Plus the workers up north did not have much food to eat, or clothes to wear, something the slaves did enjoy.

Pros and Cons of Drugs

The Pros of Illegal Drugs Many countries along with the United States have laws forbidding the possession, sale, and use of certain drugs ranging everywhere from marijuana to heroin. Though many countries classify these drugs as illegal, I believe certain ones are not as bad as people portray them as. In my mind, the illegal drug cannabis, also known as marijuana should be legalized since it can not only improve the economy but its side effects are not that foreign to other legal drugs. I believe marijuana should be legalized considering its side effects are not too extreme.Drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine should not be legalized. These drugs carry strong side effects and are damaging to the body, resulting in damage to the human body. A debatable point on the matter is the money these drugs produce. Some believe that legalizing these certain drugs will in turn help the suffering economy we are now facing. Though this may be true in some aspects, it is an awful idea in others. Yes, legalizing these drugs would bring in a large profit considering how pricy they are, however it also would be very harmful to the people using them.These drugs can be overdosed on very easily, and if so it can result in severe harm or even death. Marijuana on the other hand can also produce a large profit without those severe consequences. Side effects of marijuana are quite minor compared to other illegal drugs. It speeds up the user’s heart rate and causes physical impairment. The worst of its side effects are breathing difficulties and the increase in chances of getting lung cancer. These side effects are exactly the same as those of cigarette consumers.Smoking tobacco cigarettes carries the same side effects plus even more due to the buildup of tar it causes in the lungs and yet the sale and consumption of such a product is still legal. I see the use of marijuana as a combination of the consummation of alcohol and cigarettes at the same time. These side e ffects are not that bad compared to those of more potent drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. The sale of an illegal drug such as marijuana could really boost the already struggling economy.If the government were to contribute to the sale of marijuana by adding a sale tax to it, it could provide the government with much needed money. The legalization of such a drug would create a high supply and demand for the product, which would allow the government to modern its sale and production. It would also provide the economy with more jobs. It would open up more employment for those suffering from the economy’s state considering the product would need to be produced and grown in large amounts.Along with the help the sale of marijuana could produce towards the economy, it would also eliminate the â€Å"forbidden fruit† variable. Young adolescents tend to be drawn into actions that they are forbidden to do. Legalizing marijuana would end that and would in turn e ven keep the use to a minimum for many individuals. There are many pros to legalizing certain illegal drugs within the United States. Legalizing marijuana would help more than it would do harm.Other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine should not be legalized due to their harmful side effects, even though they would bring in a large profit. Though marijuana would not produce quite as much profit as those more potent drugs, it would still contribute greatly to the economy. It would not only provide the government with money if it was taxed, but it would also contribute to the work force. The high demand for the product if legalized would create jobs for unemployed persons. The legalization of a drug such as this would contribute to the U. S. ’s struggling economy.

Macpherson Refrigeration Limited

Read the case, and answer the following questions:1.Search in the library (books on Operations Management or Production Management), to find the main components of the â€Å"Aggregate Production Planning† problem and briefly describe which are â€Å"pure strategies† and â€Å"mixed strategies† to solve this problem.The aggregate demand is the total demand for all products/services produced by a production facility without considering size, models, etc., usually there are significant seasonal variations. The objective of the Aggregate Production Plan is to manage production in order to meet the aggregate demand, matching capacity with demand fluctuations.The main components of APP are: external (Market Demand, Economic Conditions, Raw Material Availability and Competitors Behaviors) and internal (Production, Workforce Level, Inventory Level, Subcontracting, Backlog Policy, Physical Plant Capacity, Union Agreement, Capital Limit, among others).The mentioned compone nts can be modified to create production strategies which can be applied to this problem:Pure strategies: Considering one variable at a time to demand fluctuation: 1.Varying Workforce Level (Hiring or Firing). 2.Varying Production Rate (Overtime/Length of Work Hour) 3.Varying Inventory Level (High or Low).Mixed strategies: Considering two or more variables at a time to demand fluctuation: 1.Varying both Workforce Level and Inventory Level. 2. Varying both Production Rate and Inventory Level.2.Find the following parameters of the problem (specify the units involved):Productivity450 app/worker-year Expected for next year: 480 app/worker-year Regular Labour Cost$10.50/hr-worker Overtime Labour Cost1.5 times the regular hourly rate; $15.75/hr-worker Hiring Costs$1,800/worker Layoff Costs$1,200/worker Inventory Holding Costs$8/app-month Initial capacity13,000 app/month Beginning Inventory240 app3) What are the main advantages and disadvantages of each of the actions (page 2, item 6) avai lable to the company to meet demand? How can these actions be combined?1.Building inventory to meet peaks ïÆ' ¼Protection against unforeseen demand changes. ïÆ' ¼Inventory accumulation will be drawn down during peak demand periods. XIn periods of low demand, inventory would be accumulated and it would generate high holding costs.2.Using overtime ïÆ' ¼No inventory carrying costs. ïÆ' ¼Workforce held just to meet average monthly requirements. XExcessive overtime might lead to lower efficiency. XRestricted production might promote poor work habits and low morale.3.Hiring and laying off workers ïÆ' ¼The cheapest alternative. XUnion relations and employee morale could be adversely affected by frequent layoffs. X Hiring and training employees would be a problem (limited labour market).4) Replicate in an Excel spreadsheet, page 4 (Exhibit 1). It's not just to copy the spreadsheet, but to write down the formulas to incorporate the production flow balance. A similar flow balance can be obtained for workers.  There are also formulas to include all the costs involved. Although you may discuss these questions with your team, you must submit your work individually.

The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 12

Elena checked the edges of the hotel room's draperies for signs of dawn. Bonnie was curled up, drowsing in a chair by the window. Elena and Meredith had been up all night, and now they were surrounded by scattered printouts, newspapers, and pictures from the Internet. â€Å"It's already spread beyond Fell's Church,† Meredith explained, pointing to an article in one of the papers. â€Å"I don't know if it's following ley lines, or being controlled by Shinichi – or is just moving on its own, like any parasite.† â€Å"Did you try to contact Alaric?† Meredith glanced at Bonnie's sleeping figure. She spoke softly, â€Å"That's the good news. I'd been trying to get him forever, and I finally managed. He'll be arriving in Fell's Church soon – he just has one more stop first.† Elena drew her breath in. â€Å"One more stop that's more important than what's going on in that town?† â€Å"That's why I didn't tell Bonnie about him coming. Or Matt either. I knew they wouldn't understand. But – I'll give you one guess as to what kind of legends he's following up in the Far East.† Meredith fixed dark eyes on Elena's. â€Å"Not†¦it is, isn't it? Kitsune?† â€Å"Yes, and he's going to a very ancient place where they were supposed to have destroyed the town – just as Fell's Church is being destroyed. Nobody lives there now. That name – Unmei no Shima – means the Island of Doom. Maybe he'll find something important about fox spirits there. He's doing some kind of multicultural independent study with Sabrina Dell. She's Alaric's age, but she's already a famous forensic anthropologist.† â€Å"And you're not jealous?† Elena said awkwardly. Personal issues were difficult to talk about with Meredith. Asking her questions always felt like prying. â€Å"Well.† Meredith tipped back her head. â€Å"It isn't as if we have any formal engagement.† â€Å"But you never told anybody about all this.† Meredith lowered her head and gave Elena a quick look. â€Å"I have now,† she said. For a moment the girls sat together in silence. Then Elena said quietly, â€Å"The Shi no Shi, the kitsune, Isobel Saitou, Alaric and his Island of Doom – they may not have anything to do with each other. But if they do, I'm going to find out what it is.† â€Å"And I'm going to help,† Meredith said simply. â€Å"But I had thought that after I graduated†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena couldn't stand it anymore. â€Å"Meredith, I promise, as soon as we get Stefan back and the town calmed down, we'll pin Alaric down with Plans A through Z,† she said. She leaned forward and kissed Meredith's cheek. â€Å"That's a velociraptor sisterhood oath, okay?† Meredith blinked twice, swallowed once, and whispered, â€Å"Okay.† Then, abruptly, she was her old efficient self again. â€Å"Thank you,† she said. â€Å"But cleaning up the town might not be such an easy job. It's already heading toward mass chaos there.† â€Å"And Matt wanted to be in the middle of it all? Alone?† Elena asked. â€Å"Like we said, he and Mrs. Flowers are a solid team,† Meredith said quietly. â€Å"And it's what he's chosen.† â€Å"Well,† Elena said drily, â€Å"he may turn out to have the better deal in the end, after all.† They went back to the scattered papers. Meredith picked up several pictures of kitsune guarding shrines in Japan. â€Å"It says they're usually depicted with a ‘jewel' or key.† She held up a picture of a kitsune holding a key in its mouth at the main gate of the Fushimi Shrine. â€Å"Aha,† Elena said. â€Å"Looks like the key's got two wings, doesn't it?† â€Å"Exactly what Bonnie and I thought. And the ‘jewels'†¦well, take a close look.† Elena did and her stomach lurched. Yes, they were like the â€Å"snow globe† orbs that Shinichi had used to create unbreakable traps in the Old Wood. â€Å"We found they're called hoshi no tama,† Meredith said. â€Å"And that translates to ‘star balls.' Each kitsune puts a measure of their power into one, along with other things, and destroying the ball is one of the only ways to kill them. If you find a kitsune's star ball, you can control the kitsune. That's what Bonnie and I want to do.† â€Å"But how do you find it?† Elena asked, excited by the idea of controlling Shinichi and Misao. â€Å"Sa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Meredith said, pronouncing the word â€Å"sah† like a sigh. Then she gave one of her rare brilliant smiles. â€Å"In Japanese, that means: ‘I wonder; hmm; wouldn't want to comment; my gosh, golly, I really couldn't say.' We could use a word like that in English.† Despite herself, Elena giggled. â€Å"But, then, other stories say that kitsune can be killed by the Sin of Regret or by blessed weapons. I don't know what the Sin of Regret is, but – † She rummaged in her luggage, and came up with an old-fashioned but serviceable-looking revolver. â€Å"Meredith!† â€Å"It was my grandpa's – one of a pair. Matt's got the other one. They're loaded with bullets blessed by a priest.† â€Å"What priest would bless bullets, for God's sake?† Elena demanded. Meredith's smile turned bleak. â€Å"One that's seen what's happening in Fell's Church. You remember how Caroline got Isobel Saitou possessed, and what Isobel did to herself?† Elena nodded. â€Å"I remember,† she said tautly. â€Å"Well, do you remember how we told you that Obaasan – Grandma Saitou – used to be a shrine maiden? That's a Japanese priestess. She blessed the bullets for us, all right, and specifically for killing kitsune. You should have seen how spooky the ritual was. Bonnie almost fainted again.† â€Å"Do you know how Isobel is doing now?† Meredith shook her dark head slowly. â€Å"Better but – I don't think she even knows about Jim yet. That's going to be very tough on her.† Elena tried to quell a shudder. There was nothing but tragedy in store for Isobel even when she got well. Jim Bryce, her boyfriend, had spent only one night with Caroline, but now had Lesch-Nye disease – or so the doctors said. In that same dreadful night that Isobel had pierced herself everywhere, and cut her tongue so that it forked, Jim, a handsome star basketball player, had eaten away his fingers and his lips. In Elena's opinion they were both possessed and their injuries were only more reasons why the kitsune twins had to be stopped. â€Å"We'll do it,† she said aloud, realizing for the first time that Meredith was holding her hand as if Elena were Bonnie. Elena managed a faint but determined smile for Meredith. â€Å"We'll get Stefan out and we'll stop Shinichi and Misao. We have to do it.† This time it was Meredith who nodded. â€Å"There's more,† she said at last. â€Å"You want to hear it?† â€Å"I need to know everything.† â€Å"Well, every single source I checked agrees that kitsune possess girls and then lead boys to destruction. What kind of destruction depends on where you look. It can be as simple as appearing as a will-o'-the-wisp and leading you into a swamp or off a cliff, or as difficult as shapeshifting.† â€Å"Oh, yes,† Elena said tightly. â€Å"I knew that from what happened to you and Bonnie. They can look exactly like someone.† â€Å"Yes, but always with some small flaw if you have the wits to notice it. They can never make a perfect replicate. But they can have up to nine tails, and the more tails they have, the better at everything they are.† â€Å"Nine? Terrific. We've never even seen a nine-tailed one.† â€Å"Well, we may get to yet. They're supposed to be able to cross over freely from one world to another. Oh, yes. And they're specifically in charge of the ‘Kimon' Gate between dimensions. Want to guess what that translates to?† Elena stared at her. â€Å"Oh, no.† â€Å"Oh, yes.† â€Å"But why would Damon take us all the way across the country, just to get in through a Demon Gate that's run by fox spirits?† â€Å"Sa†¦But when Matt told us you were headed to someplace near Sedona, that was really what decided Bonnie and me.† â€Å"Great.† Elena ran her hands through her hair and sighed. â€Å"Anything else?† she asked, feeling like a rubber band that had been stretched to its utmost. â€Å"Only this, which ought to really bake your cookies after all we've been through. Some of them are good. Kitsune, I mean.† â€Å"Some of them are good – good what? Good fighters? Good assassins? Good liars?† â€Å"No, really, Elena. Some of them are supposed to be like gods and goddesses who sort of test you, and if you pass the test they reward you.† â€Å"Do you think we should count on finding one like that?† â€Å"Not really.† Elena dropped her head to the coffee table where Meredith's printouts were scattered. â€Å"Meredith, seriously, how are we going to deal with them when we go through that Demon Gate? My Power is about as reliable as a low battery. And it's not just the kitsune; it's all the different demons and vampires – Old Ones, too! What are we going to do?† She raised her head and looked deeply into the eyes of her friend – those dark eyes that she had never been able to classify as this color or that. To her surprise, Meredith instead of looking sober, tossed back the dregs of a Diet Coke and smiled. â€Å"No Plan A yet?† â€Å"Well†¦maybe just an idea. Nothing definite yet. What about you?† â€Å"A few that might qualify for Plans B and C. So what we're going to do is what we always do – try our best and fall all over ourselves and make mistakes until you do something brilliant and save us all.† â€Å"Merry† – Meredith blinked. Elena knew why – she hadn't used that diminutive for Meredith for more years than she could remember. None of the three girls liked pet names or used them. Elena went on very seriously, holding Meredith's eyes, â€Å"There's nothing I want more than to save everybody – everybody – from these kitsune bastards. I'd give my life for Stefan and all of you. But†¦this time it may be somebody else who takes the bullet.† â€Å"Or the stake. I know. Bonnie knows. We talked about it while we were flying here. But we're still with you, Elena. You have to know that. We're all with you.† There was only one way to reply to that. Elena gripped Meredith's hand in both of hers. Then she let out her breath, and, like probing an aching tooth, tried to get news on a sore subject. â€Å"Does Matt – did he – well, how was Matt when you left?† Meredith glanced at her sideways. Not much got past Meredith. â€Å"He seemed okay, but – distracted. He would go off into these fits where he'd just stare at nothing, and he wouldn't hear you if you spoke to him.† â€Å"Did he tell you why he left?† â€Å"Well†¦sort of. He said that Damon was hypnotizing you and that you weren't – weren't doing all you could to stop him. But he's a boy and boys get jealous – â€Å" â€Å"No, he was right about what he saw. It's just that I've – gotten to know Damon a little better. And Matt doesn't like that.† â€Å"Um-hm.† Meredith was watching her from under lowered eyelids, barely breathing, as if Elena was a bird that mustn't be disturbed or she'd fly away. Elena laughed. â€Å"It's nothing bad,† she said. â€Å"At least I don't think so. It's just that†¦in some ways Damon needs help even more than Stefan did when he first came to Fell's Church.† Meredith's eyebrows shot up, but all she said was, â€Å"Um-hm.† â€Å"And†¦I think that really Damon's a lot more like Stefan than he lets on.† Meredith's eyebrows stayed up. Elena finally looked at her. She opened her mouth once or twice and then she just stared at Meredith. â€Å"I'm in trouble, aren't I?† she said helplessly. â€Å"If all this comes from less than one week riding in a car with him†¦then, yes. But we have to remember that women are Damon's specialty. And he thinks he's in love with you.† â€Å"No, he really is – † Elena began, and then she caught her lower lip between her teeth. â€Å"Oh, God, this is Damon we're talking about. I am in trouble.† â€Å"Let's just watch and see what happens,† Meredith said sensibly. â€Å"He's definitely changed, too. Before, he would have just told you that your friends couldn't come – and that was it. Today he stuck around and listened.† â€Å"Yes. I just have to – to be on my guard from now on,† Elena said, a little unsteadily. How was she going to help the child inside Damon without getting closer to him? And how would she explain all she might need to do to Stefan? She sighed. â€Å"It'll probably be all right,† Bonnie muttered sleepily. Meredith and Elena both turned to look at her and Elena felt a chill go up her spine. Bonnie was sitting propped up, but her eyes were shut and her voice was indistinct. â€Å"The real question is: what will Stefan say about that night at the motel with Damon?† â€Å"What?† Elena's voice was sharp and loud enough to awaken any sleeper. But Bonnie didn't stir. â€Å"What happened what night at what motel?† Meredith demanded. When Elena didn't answer immediately, she caught Elena's arm and swung her so that they were face-to-face. At last Elena looked at her friend. But her eyes, she knew, gave away nothing. â€Å"Elena, what's she talking about? What happened with Damon?† Elena still kept her face perfectly expressionless, and used a word she'd learned just that night. â€Å"Sa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Elena, you're impossible! You're not going to dump Stefan after you rescue him, are you?† â€Å"No, of course not!† Elena was hurt. â€Å"Stefan and I belong together – forever.† â€Å"But still you spent a night with Damon where something happened between you.† â€Å"Something†¦I guess.† â€Å"And that something was?† Elena smiled apologetically. â€Å"Sa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I'll get it out of him! I'll put him on the defensive†¦.† â€Å"You can make a Plan A and Plan B and all,† Elena said. â€Å"But it won't help. Shinichi took his memories away. Meredith, I'm sorry – you don't know how sorry. But I swore that nobody would ever know.† She looked up at the taller girl, feeling tears pool in her eyes. Can't you just – once – let me leave it that way?† Meredith sank bank. â€Å"Elena Gilbert, the world is lucky there is only one of you. You are the†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She paused, as if deciding whether to say the words or not. Then she said, â€Å"It's time to get to bed. Dawn is going to come early and so is the Demon Gate.† â€Å"Merry?† â€Å"What now?† â€Å"Thank you.†

Describe a Library Essay

Ok, so the topic on my card is to describe a library that I visited, and I suppose I would like to choose the library in my college, which is a landmark in my campus. Now going on to my next point which is what it looked like, from the google map when you overlook it you will see a big rectangular surrounded by grass land sand trees. Therefore, the layout of this building is very organized. But the north and east exterior wall are all glass curtain walls. This will make the library sun-filled enough in during the daytime. The most interesting design, is that there are two trees(I really do not know what kind, it just like some big shrubs ) just live in the center of the first floor. I think it could flourish all the year round just because of the air conditioner. Because it is very hard to find some books suit for my research subject in the library and all journals have online edition so I seldom borrow a book or journal from the library. I often read some newspapers and magazines in the library and sometimes I also see a movie with my girlfriend if I could take a small desk only for two people, such kind of place is very hot. Finally then, I think all college students have their own memories with their college library. It just like a friend accompany with you, you prepare the exam there and finish your graduate thesis there, I think that’s why many people would like to take a picture with their library when they will graduate from the college.

Light and Saint Luke

The painting St. Luke by Master Theodoric was painted 1360-1364 and is paint and gold on panel. The size of the piece is 115 x 94 cm. St. Luke is located in the Holy Cross Chapel, Karlstejn Castle, near Prague. One of the most intriguing parts of this painting is above Saint Luke’s right shoulder is a tan colored miniature ox. Although the ox is a symbol of Saint Luke, when I see this piece the miniature ox gives the impression to be an ominous figure in the painting. This may not be the focal point of this artwork however; this small part is the first object that I noticed. What makes this painting unique and is two parts of the painting spill over onto the golden frame. Perhaps the most noticeable part of this painting is Saint Luke’s piercing gaze. I believe this to be the focal point of the painting. His large gray eyes seem to looking to the right, not right at the viewer, his stare is slightly eerie. He is an older man; the signs of age can be seen on his forehead and the graying in his facial hair. Saint Luke’s beard is long, like you would expect of the time. It is very wavy and seems to curl in places. His head seems to be large which during the time this piece was painted was a common style toward the end of that century was. Saint Luke is wearing a vibrant blue robe like the types you would see in religious artworks. The detail in the color of his robe stands out. For instance, darker shades were used in parts of the folds of the material. The lighter parts are the outside, it gives the illusion that there may be a light facing the painting and the light is reflecting off his robe. Another important detail is in front of his heart is a cross painted in the lighter shade of blue of the robe. The placement of the cross is situated over his heart. Under the cross his hand is extend out of the robe. His hand has long boney fingers with blue veins on the top of his hand. It doesn’t give the impression of someone that is elderly because it lacks wrinkles, mostly appears as it is someone who is frail. In his left hand is a thick book that has a red cover and white sheets of paper. The book looks as though it may be a bible. The book is open to the middle of the book facing out; the pages of the book are blank. In the upper left corner of the painting is the miniature ox which is a symbol of Saint Luke. The ox seems to be breaking through the wall behind Saint Luke and resting on his right shoulder. Behind the ox is a brilliant blue sky with white clouds. The ox is a dark beige color, a very earthy tone. His right profile is the only part of his face that you can see; his eye is a deep red color. On top of his head are his horns which are a light brown at the base and gradually take a darker shade, they are black at the tips of his horns. At the base his hair is curly and the same shade as his body. On his back are odd shape wings that are multiple shades of light and dark pinks. The shape is wavy with the small feathers. They are not the normal shape of wings that you are customary of seeing. The background looks to be a wall that is painted gold in a geometric pattern. The pattern is very detailed, there appears to be flowers in the shapes. Behind Saint Luke’s head there appears to be a halo painted in the same bold gold color. The designs behind Saint Luke are the same design carried over to the frame giving the appearance of the painting being three dimensional. On the frame at the top where the miniature ox is coming through the wall behind Saint Luke, the blue sky is paint is overlapping on the frame. This also occurs on the right side of the frame, the top right corner of the open book is painted onto the frame also. At the bottom of the frame there is an oval cut out. Within the cut out there is another cutout possibly meant to hold some sort of object, it looks to be empty. The style in which this artwork was painted to me says good and evil. The miniature ox to me looks like a goat due to the size and I have never heard of a miniature ox. The red eye and the horns give the impression that he represents the devil. Saint Luke to me symbolizes holy and spiritual. I am uncertain the meaning and purpose of the open book with the blank pages. Religious works of art such as paintings, sculptures, and architectures can be interpreted many ways by many different people.