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Social and cultural influences on personal identity
Influence of society on identity
Social and cultural influences on personal identity
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Throughout the time I spent between the covers of The Prince of Los Cocuyos, I was astounded by Richard Blanco’s dynamic relationship with the novel’s sole “antagonist”: his abuela. It seemed that no matter how many times he was chagrined at her attempts to negotiate the English language, or was forced to repress his very personhood to meet her traditional standards of manhood, she never ceased to be a pillar of support for a young Richard Blanco. But beyond his grandmother, Mr. Blanco made it quite clear that he was surrounded by a pueblo of family and friends throughout his childhood and adolescence, a village that would confound his “becoming” but foster his growth, make him question his identity and yet be intricately connected to it. It …show more content…
On the other hand, ideally one should be true to one’s heart, if Disney’s Mulan is to be believed. But these are neither solid pieces of advice nor wise counsel; they are at best hand-wavy, wishy-washy statements that offer no guidance on traveling the minefield that is remaining true to oneself. In fact, given the wide swath of human experiences, it is difficult to imagine a panacea effective for each and every trial and tribulation people may encounter in maintaining the integrity of their identities; personally, I don't think one exists. Just as there are myriad events, emotions, and memories from which one’s identity develops, it surely follows that there are just as many ways social norms act to compromise one’s individuality, ostensibly for the worse. Therefore, it seems that an indirect solution would best serve individuals filled and bombarded with doubt about who they really are; namely, the unwavering support of a community would allow individuals to resolve, on their own terms, their inner conflicts stemming from outward …show more content…
For those who find themselves with no social support or even concerted efforts to undermine their identities, their paths to “becoming” are that much more difficult. These individuals, understandably, would find nothing of use in the words above. However, much can still be done. The majority of this spiel has been centered on the individual finding community; not a word has been said on the community reaching out to the individual. As was mentioned, Duke clearly seems to be doing its part in helping those in need of backing; however, the same cannot be said for many places elsewhere. With only eighteen years of unremarkable life experience, it may not be in my place to suggest something that others should work to; regardless, I feel that going through the next four years and beyond with an arm ready to be extended to someone lacking anyone is something worthwhile to work
Throughout time, stories have been passed down from generation to generation in order to make sense of our world and to share that understanding with others. “Los tres hermanos (The Three Brothers)” and “El indito de las cien vacas (The Indian and the Hundred Cows)” are two Tales of the Hispanic Southwest that I feel the reader could truly relate to in terms of the important moral lessons that were meant to be taught, inferred and understood. The lesson in “Los tres hermanos (The Three Brothers)” involves understanding that the characters involved failed to reflect on the needs of the thirsty, hungry and poor, the lonely, as well as the elderly and are ultimately fairly served by means of moral ruin, death, and worst of all, eternal damnation, while “El indito de las cien vacas (The Indian and the Hundred Cows)” in due course, involves the notion that God helps those who help themselves.
Author’s Techniques: Rudolfo Anaya uses many Spanish terms in this book. The reason for this is to show the culture of the characters in the novel. Also he uses imagery to explain the beauty of the llano the Spanish America. By using both these techniques in his writing, Anaya bring s the true culture of
Torres used specific words to convey the emotions of how the boys felt concerning their heritage; the boys felt as if they were outside of the loop. Therefore, they did not know what they belonged to or where they fit in. Their physical traits did not match up with the culture that they were trying to identify with –the Hispanic heritage. Yet, they wanted to find a way to belong. Furthermore, the theme also contributed to the identity aspect of the characters. Through their diction, readers, like myself, were able to draw important subject matters. In addition to word choice and themes, Torres applied various amounts of literary devices to drive his messages home, consequently enabling readers to understand the point of the passage, without giving up more information than needed. Close reading this particular passage gave me a better appreciation for what authors write, how they interpret their emotions, and how they execute their
In conclusion, through its plot, characterization, and rhetorical devices such as tone, George Washington Gomez is an anti-corrido. However, it must be said that perhaps in its purpose as an anti-corrido, the novel is a corrido. In telling the story of Guánlito, the anti-hero of the Mexicotexans, perhaps Paredes is singing the readers his own border ballad, an ironic, cautionary tale to the Chicanos to remember who they are and where they came from and to resist, always, as a corrido hero would.
There are certain songs that you hear and never forget or they stay playing in your mind. This is one song that I have heard which sort of keep repeating in my mind long after it has finished playing. In fact this song got so popular at one time that I even have a silly, battery operated gorilla that shakes as he sings this song. What song is it?
Don Quixote continues to surprise with its richness of meaning. The unraveling of the text has only begun but it’s safe to say that with what Don Quixote has yielded so far, this novel deserves its laurels. In its fulsome legacy, Don Quixote has left something for everybody: the student of the novelistic form can appreciate the innovation and realism of the work, the historian and sociologist can admire Cervante’s nuanced depiction of social classes and their interactions, the psychologist can treasure the work’s insights into the mind, and the philosopher can cherish the hero inside of Don Quixote. Because of this gift to readers, Don Quixote is surely a knight greater than Belianis and more renowned than Amadís. The hidalgo lives on.
In his 1971 paper “Personal Identity”, Derek Parfit posits that it is possible and indeed desirable to free important questions from presuppositions about personal identity without losing all that matters. In working out how to do so, Parfit comes to the conclusion that “the question about identity has no importance” (Parfit, 1971, p. 4.2:3). In this essay, I will attempt to show that Parfit’s thesis is a valid one, with positive implications for human behaviour. The first section of the essay will examine the thesis in further detail and the second will assess how Parfit’s claims fare in the face of criticism.
One of the most common things heard when interacting with others is: “Just be yourself”. However, is there truly a choice? Many may try to cover up their true identity for unknown purposes. In order to fit in, some may pretend to enjoy things they dislike, and dislike things they really enjoy. As demonstrated in countless books, stories, and movies, a person’s true identity will always be exposed one way or another. In Matt Ruff’s novel Bad Monkeys, the true nature of a person will always overshadow any disguised identity.
...I should not feel bound by anyone or anything and do what my inner voice tells me to or else it would be too late for me to be who I want to be, like Gregor, who failed to realize that he had his own identity and was free to leave and live his own life. But the question still stands, can one ever assert his own true self in a society? Well, humanity might just accept individual identities but, societal institutions? I think not. We will always face this inner conflict of asserting our own identity or being identified by the society.
A person’s identity is made from various characteristics that make the person who he is. It is partly constructed from physical characteristics like skin tones, hair color, and body shape. But it is also formed by more abstract ideas like religion, education, family, gender identity, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and personality traits. All of these things amount to an identity. Scholars and philosophers have debated for many years over how much humans have control over their identities and, if they do have any control, how much should they control? Philosophers like Albert Camus and Thomas Nagel would argue that humans have and should control their identities in order to escape philosophical suicide and to accept the absurdity of everyday life. However, it seems that writers like Chantay Leonard and Alice Walker are more in touch with the relationship between environment and identity. Although humans have free will to make their own choices, they are not in control of the environment and other people around them, and therefore, a great deal of their identity is formed without their consent.
“It’s a blessed thing that in every stage in every age some one has had the individuality and courage enough to stand by his own convictions.” The part of me that sums up my identity best is not the adjectives given by family, or the faults I find in myself. My identity is my desire to better myself, and my passion for children. My identity is who I want to be and what I do to accomplish my goals My identity is the feelings and emotions I pour into my journal every day, and the way I feel when I do something right. My identity is not what others thing of me or what I think of myself after a bad day. My identity is the love and confidence I have in myslef, and the beauty inside.
There are multiple scenarios where one might manage their identities. Generally the importance of identity management surfaces when we want to begin or maintain a relationship, when we want someone to act or behave a certain way, when we feel the need to preserve an image of someone, or when we are experimenting with different personalities to alter the perception that others have of us. Managing your identity is essential to sculpting the image that we want some to have of us and the way we behave in different situations will manipulate this perception as well. That is to say, when the situation changes, so does our personality
A person’s identity is shaped by many different aspects. Family, culture, friends, personal interests and surrounding environments are all factors that tend to help shape a person’s identity. Some factors may have more of an influence than others and some may not have any influence at all. As a person grows up in a family, they are influenced by many aspects of their life. Family and culture may influence a person’s sense of responsibilities, ethics and morals, tastes in music, humor and sports, and many other aspects of life. Friends and surrounding environments may influence a person’s taste in clothing, music, speech, and social activities. Personal interests are what truly set individuals apart. An individual is not a puppet on the string of their puppet-master, nor a chess piece on their master’s game board, individuals choose their own paths in life. They accomplish, or strive to accomplish, goals that they have set for themselves throughout their lifetime. Individuals are different from any other individual in the world because they live their own life rather than following a crowd of puppets. A person’s identity is defined by what shaped it in the first place, why they chose to be who they are, and what makes them different from everybody else in the world. I feel that I have developed most of my identity from my own dreams, fantasies, friends, and idols.
Humanity is defined by one major factor: one’s understating of the self. By understanding one’s self, one can understand society and the world that surrounds themselves. There is one thing that can often distort one’s personality, one’s identity. By identifying as one thing a person can often change how they act or do certain things. This is often found to hide one’s true motives or intention, but it can also be used to hide hidden factors that aren’t as prevalent. One’s personality and identity are very closely linked, and tend to play off one another. This fact can be show in within multiple works. To name a few authors who demonstrate this fact: Clifford Geertz, Horace Miner, and Andrei Toom. Their works seek to dive deeper
Through socialization, people discover the advantages of concealing their genuine selves. Merely the thought of being marginalized for uniqueness gives some individuals anxiety. Holding non-traditional beliefs, wearing peculiar clothing, saying something colorful or simply deciding not to conform to societal standards puts a person at risk. Subsequently, cloaking ourselves in facades and wearing intricate masks can become so commonplace that we forget who we truly are as a result. Apprehension has led us down this foggy path, and complacency prevents numerous from deviating the course. Commencing this unfamiliar journey towards authenticity can be initially painful and scary, yet necessary to uncover deceitful thoughts, feelings and behaviors while additionally allowing close, healthy relationships. Authenticity is a masterful practice of continual self-discovery, self-contentment, and compassion. Authentic individuals are so proficient that they look outside themselves to the needs and desires of others, for they are deeply in-touch with their own mind, body, and soul. Am I an authentic person? This question can not be answered with a straight yes or no, because no one can be completely authentic, or fully unauthentic. Personally, I attempt to be