American Icon Essays

  • Barbie: An American Icon

    2828 Words  | 6 Pages

    and often opposing meanings on it. . And her meaning, like her face has not been static over time" (10). In spite of the extreme polarity, a sole unconscious consensus manifests itself about Barbie. Barbie is 'the icon" of womanhood and the twentieth century (Ducille 50). She is the American dream (Varney 161). Barbie is us" (Lord 17). The question is always the same: What message does Barbie send? Barbie is a toy. She is the image of what we see. At her inception in 1959, Barbie created a wave of

  • John Wayne as an American Icon

    1320 Words  | 3 Pages

    John Wayne as an American Icon Marion Morrison, also known as John Wayne, is perhaps one of the most popular movie personalities ever. He began as a mere stagehand, but by the end of his career he had developed himself as a very successful actor, producer, and director. Marion Michael Morrison was born on May 26, 1907, in Winterest, Iowa. His father, Clyde, worked as a pharmacist, and John Wayne thought of his father as the “kindest, most patient man I ever knew.” Later on in life, John Wayne’s

  • Barbie - A Complex American Icon

    3521 Words  | 8 Pages

    expectations that Barbie represents, they also fondly remember Barbie as their own favorite toy. These many women, and their daughters, have made Barbie the most successful toy for girls since 1959, despite Barbie’s many contradictions. Barbie embodies American popular culture’s attempt to respond to women’s changing roles in the era since... ... middle of paper ... ... “Barbie is a Million-Dollar Doll,” The Saturday Evening Post, December 12, 1964, 72. 23 Douglas, 24. 24 “All’s Swell at Mattel

  • Barbie: Independent Woman or Damaging American Icon?

    2457 Words  | 5 Pages

    Barbie: Independent Woman or Damaging American Icon? She's the classic American beauty, the woman we all dreamed of being at one point in our lives. She has long, tanned legs, cascades of blonde curls and has such perky breasts that she doesn't even need a bra. Although this character does not need air to breathe and is made of plastic, she has been one of America's most potent icons for more than 40 years and has affected girls in ways even human models aren't capable of. With 250 million

  • Edgar Allen Poe: A great American Icon

    1555 Words  | 4 Pages

    Edgar Allan Poe’s unique, fearless and morbid writing style has influenced literature throughout the world. He was once titled the "master of the macabre" (Buranelli, 57). One of the aspects in his life with which he struggled was social isolation. He used this as a topic in a number of poems and short stories. Poe's life was also filled with periods of fear and irrationality. He had a very sensitive side when it came to the female gender, any woman he was ever close to died at an early age. Another

  • The Creation of Barbie as an American Icon

    2449 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Creation of Barbie as an American Icon Barbie, at the age of 41, is one of the longest living toys in America. Analyzing her early history can give a person a look into the societal trends and culture of the late 1950's and early 1960's. There is evidence of fashion innovations in Barbie's wardrobe. Also, one can see the perception of females by society, such as what they should look like, how they should act and dress, as well as what their future goals could be. The following essay follows

  • Blue Jeans, the Ultimate American Icon

    1446 Words  | 3 Pages

    Blue Jeans, the Ultimate American Icon Gold was discovered in California in 1849. This resulted in more than eighty thousand American’s rushing to California. The pioneering spirit spread and by 1890, the West’s population reached nearly 17 million. The west became the most racially diverse part of the country. All were in search of a better life for themselves and their families, seeking what would become known as the American Dream. During this time innovation and creation were prompting remarkable

  • Madonna: An American Icon

    2508 Words  | 6 Pages

    routines. She is an icon. She is Madonna. History has never seen a cultural figure with as much controversy or flair for the dramatic as Madonna, nor will history ever see such a figure. Madonna’s name is recognized by everyone, as is evidenced in a survey taken of fifty people of varying ages (shown below). These facts alone are enough to engrave her name in pop culture history, but the making of an icon does not stop there. Madonna is the quintessential example of an American icon because of her

  • Woodstock: An American Icon

    907 Words  | 2 Pages

    very different ideas about what makes an icon. Our icons may be singers, dancers, athletes, actors or politicians. We may not even know what the criteria would be for an icon, but we know one when we see it. One of the greatest American icons in history is the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival. To say that Woodstock isn’t an icon would be like saying that the music wasn’t a dynamic character in the movie “Star Wars” or “The Phantom of the Opera”. An Icon must encompass a distinct ideology, and nothing

  • Joe Dimaggio

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    DiMaggio was one of the best baseball players of all time. He set many records, including the longest wining streak in Major League Baseball history, it lasted 56 games. He came to America as the son of poor Italian immigrants, but grew up to be an American Icon. Joseph Paul DiMaggio was born on November 25, 1914. His parents were Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio and Rosalie DiMaggio. He had three brothers and three sisters. His brothers were Michael DiMaggio, Tom DiMaggio, and Vince DiMaggio. His sisters were

  • McDonalds: An American Icon

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    The largest of the fast food companies have forever cemented themselves into the American culture and they are fully aware of that fact. Written on a McDonald’s paper tray liner is their statement to this knowledge; “I think about great memories from my past. Road Trips, friends, study breaks and lots of laughs. Anytime nostalgia sets in, I know it’s not too long before I’ll be going to McDonald’s for a Big Mac. Someday in the future, when I’m looking back at today, McDonald’s will still be there

  • Recommending Continued Sponsorship of the Posse Ride

    585 Words  | 2 Pages

    employees on the rides. These new initiatives would help us better understand customer needs and build long lasting relationship with customers. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle is more than just a mode of transportation or ordinary product. It's an American icon that is much loved and recognized around the world. So, while we are dedicated to continuous innovation, we have opted for evolution more than revolution to carefully preserve the elements that make a Harley distinct – Posse ride is one of the

  • Coca-Cola in the Indian Market

    742 Words  | 2 Pages

    This is a long stretch from when the company was first founded in 1886 and only sold an average of nine drinks a day. Yes, over one hundred years ago it sold for 5 cents a glass and was poured from a jug. The Coke trademark is now as much American icon as apple pie and baseball. Coca Cola Bottling is currently a Fortune 500 company that posts a $3.53 billion dollar net profit. Ironically, only 30% of their sales come from the United States—which means the remaining 70% are from overseas customers

  • Bob Hope: Hollywood's Brightest Star

    852 Words  | 2 Pages

    footage, from the early 1900's to present, is revealing to the eras of Bob Hope's career. It takes you through Bob's career in vaudeville, Broadway, radio, movies, television and live performances. As narrator Les Brown Jr. states " Bob Hope is an American icon and the only entertainer to be # 1 in all facets of the entertainment field". This documentary is proof that this statement is true. The narrator starts off with a biography of Bob Hope, while showing scenes of the early 1900's. Bob was born

  • Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye - Female Childhood Icons

    1668 Words  | 4 Pages

    Female Childhood Icons in Morrison's The Bluest Eye In The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison weaves stories of violation and hardship to examine the ugliness that racism produces. In this novel, the childhood icons of white culture are negative representations instrumental in engendering internalized racism. For the black child in a racist, white culture, these icons are never innocent. Embodying the ideals of white beauty, they expose the basis for Claudia's bewilderment at why she is not attractive

  • George Herman Babe Ruth

    2443 Words  | 5 Pages

    George Herman "Babe" Ruth George Herman "Babe" Ruth was an American icon or symbol just as Uncle Sam was; the Babe started it all. He was the best pitcher in his day and still remains the strongest slugger in the game. Ruth had power, strength, an appetite and a desire for the game that no other player would ever have. It was "Babe Ruth, a hero of prowess who had achieved greatness by the sheer extent of his extraordinary ability" that put a smile on all the youngsters faces. No matter where

  • Henry Ford: An American Icon

    1300 Words  | 3 Pages

    robust frame, high wheel clearance and an easy-to-fix motor and suspension (Boyer & Dubofsky 275). The popularity of the vehicle was the impetus for Henry Ford to look at innovative production techniques in order to quench the high demand of the American public. The production breakthroughs initiated by Ford in his assembly plants became known alternatively as the ‘assembly line’ approach, or Fordism (Boyer & Dubofsky 275). Hence, outside of the automobile industry and culture of car aficionados

  • Robert E. Lee: Confederate Hero and American Icon

    620 Words  | 2 Pages

    the Civil War. His name is Robert E. Lee. He is known for commanding the Confederate Army of the American Civil War. Robert is an American hero, and arguably the best general in American history. His accomplishments in war, make him one the most famous american heros. Robert E. Lee was born on January 19, 1807 in Stratford Hall, Virginia. He died in 1870. His dad, Henry, was a hero during the American Revolutionary. He earned the nickname Light Horse Larry. His mom was born from a wealthy family

  • Michael Jackson: The King of Reinvention

    1402 Words  | 3 Pages

    the I's, you will find the definition for the word 'icon.' An icon is simply an 'image or representation of one who is the object of great attention or devotion; an idol' (Webster's 90). Skipping a few words down, you can find that an idol is 'an image used as an object of worship' It takes much to be worshiped. Throughout time, America's pop-culture has been filled with icons of each generation, such as Babe Ruth or Elvis Presley. These icons represent a dream hidden within each of us ' the dream

  • Tarkovsky's Cinema

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    is undeniably strong. It is as if the viewer’s mind, unable to read the characters’ eyes, turns away from the distractions of the world towards deeper and unspeakable regions, thus reacting in a way comparable to the beholder of a holy face in an icon. (143) Whether Andrei Rublev (Andrei Tarkovsky 1966/1969) ‘accurately’ or precisely reveals the reality of life in the 15th century has nothing to do with any actual audiences’ reactions to the film as experience. Instead, what we can feel is the