Expressions in Horror: Dr Caligari and Nosferatu Essay

Two of the earliest examples of German Expressionism in film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu are classics remembered as some of the best horror films of all time. These two films, directed by Robert Wiene and F. W. Murnau respectively, share several key aspects in common, while still retaining their own uniqueness that has left people debating which film is paramount, even nearly a century after their releases. This paper will examine these similarities and differences, and will seek address them in light of the German Expressionist movement they each resonate. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu both tell the story of a young German man’s subjection to the madness of a dark overlord with seemingly supernatural powers. In Caligari, a young man named Cesare, who is a somnambulist (or sleep walker) is controlled by the powers of a crazy doctor, who orders him to kill innocent victims. In Nosferatu, a young man named Thomas Harker is sent to sell property to Count Dracula, a vampire who comes to haunt his life and town after becoming obsessed with Hutter’s wife, Nina. Though while these films share some key components in common, no one could ever call the two films the same. Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is defined by the films stage-like quality, due mostly to the unique set it is shot on. An example of German Expressionism, the director creates a world of stark lines, sharp angles, darkness, and shadows bringing the viewer into a surreal world. Unnaturally angled houses line crooked cobblestone roads. Misshapen rooms contain demented furniture. Rooftops are acutely angled to the sides. It is radically warped scenery, and helps create a genuine expressionist set. F. W Murnau’s Nosferatu, however, is shot in real world environments, but employs shadows to make small rooms appear larger then life, adding suspense and a feel of supernaturalism to the movie. The Count’s castle perhaps best conveys the expressionistic form, with its gothic architecture and abundance of shadow. Or, better still, the Count himself embodies the expressionist form, with his exaggerated features. His ears, chin and teeth are all pointed, and his stature is unique, hunched and very thin of frame. His eyes, much like Wiene’s Cesare, are darkly shaded, and his nails are long giving him a distinctly monster like quality. Both films successfully impress a dark mood by exaggerating the film’s dark aesthetic, drawing viewers into the mindscape of German Expressionism. The films also share in common a sleepwalking theme, and perhaps it was just Murnau paying homage to Wiene’s Caligari. Partway through Nosferatu, Harker’s wife Nina is described as being in a sleepwalking trance, specifically calling it â€Å"somnambulistic†. In fact, the character Nina looks surprisingly similar to how the character Jane looks in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. I don’t believe it is too extreme to suggest that perhaps Marnau played off certain motifs created by Wiene in wanting to create a horror film. However, Marnau’s depiction of Count Dracula is unsettling to this day, and many still believe that it remains the most terrifying portrayal of the character ever on film, perhaps only second to the iconic Dracula played by Bela Lugosi. Murnau certainly created his own sort of horror, so it could not be suggested Nosferatu is unoriginal. The use of shadows, especially when it comes to scenes involving the Count, create a horrifying imagine on the screen. While having never seen Nosferatu before deciding to write this paper, I immediately recognized a scene towards the end of the film, when the Count ascended a staircase to Nina’s room. Perhaps one of the most iconic scenes of early horror films, you see the shadow of the Count as he makes his climb up the staircase, hunched form, long fingernails, offsetting movement and all. It is his shadow you see climbing the steps, never his actual form, which may possibly hint at a metaphor. The German Expressionist movement was born out of the anguish following the Great War and before the birth of Hilter’s Germany. Perhaps, as suggested by James Franklin in â€Å"The Shadow in Early German Cinema†, shadows acted as a sort of â€Å"visual metaphor for evil or for the dark and threatening forces that allegedly lurked in the pre-Hitler German psyche or soul† . Both films use music to add suspense to the plot, however each film approaches it’s use in separate ways. Caligari is distinctively jazzy in nature, where as Nosferatu is more classical. Both films, however, create music that mirrors and changes with the action on the screen. In Nosferatu, music creates a terrifying feel to the movie, shaping the most horrific scenes remembered from the film. There are several instances throughout the film where silence is broken by a quite sound, almost like a heartbeat in the background, yet more off putting. While I am in no position to argue which film is the better, both have come to be the best examples of horror films to come out of this time period. Classic examples of German Expressionism at work, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu play with the presence of shadow, the distortion of nature, and the imaginations of audiences, even today.

Death Penalty for Rapists

Even Death penalty for Rape is not good enough! Social issues by Editor ‘Rape’ the word itself sends across chills down the spine! Only a woman who has undergone such brutality understands the pain, dismay and disgrace that it beholds. Rape or forcible sexual contact is indeed the most shameful facet of humanity. It causes ultimate social and psychological dissuasion of a woman. Indian society still lacks the compassion and humanity to treat raped women with grace and sympathy.Even though women are no way guilty for the sexual offense they have gone through, neighbors, relatives and friends blame her for her circumstances. It makes their life even more unbearable. Understanding the disgraceful after-effects of an incident like ‘Rape’, women are often afraid to seek legal assistance on this matter. Instead they keep such matters under secrecy which often instigate the offenders to commit the same crime over and over again. Currently the legal punishment alloc ated to rapists is 7 years’ jail sentence.Apart from cases featuring exceptional brutality, often rapists do not face death penalty sentences. Now the death penalty debate is one of the most controversial matters being churned in India . Personally I feel rape death penalty should be implemented with strictest possible terms of logic and common sense. Following are the reasons why there should be death penalty for rape: Indeed rape is one of the most heinous crimes out there but it has become a common practice in Indian society.Nowadays, you would find at least one (sometimes more than one) crime news covering ‘rape’ every day on Television or Newspapers and crimes against women are increasing. It implies that the 7 years’ imprisonment penalty assigned for rape is not good enough to put a stop on this brutality. Generally death penalty is exercised for rarest cases in India. Rape death penalty, if implemented will ensure that people would think twice befor e committing this crime which will in turn reduce the statistics significantly.This will bring down the crime ratio and sexual harassment against women, people would certainly not take the chance. Till date death sentence is considered the most critical punishment possible. And when a woman is raped, it turns out to be social death for her. Hence the offender, who causes such destitution to the victim, should also suffer the same consequence. If death is allocated as rape penalty, it will instill the fear in people, often in rural parts of India; people use rape as a common method to settle personal scores.If they know that raping a woman might take its toll of their own lives, they might refrain themselves from committing rape. A healthy legal system should strive to provide justice to the victims of crimes. The motto of Indian constitution is to help the nation with proper verdict that will improve their condition by ending the misery. Death sentence is generally given to criminal s who have gone far away from being reformed and RAPE is one crime which implies that the convicted has lost his humanitarian qualities and turned into a brute.Hence they should be punished to death for their misdeed. DEATH SENTENCE is the strictest of all punishments given to offenders. If death penalty is assigned to rapists, it will set example for those who commit such a crime. Moreover, if a person is set free after 7 years’ confinement, he will certainly feel even more confident to commit the same crime over and over again which can cause severe threat to the entire legal system of the country.Death penalty sentences cost a lot of turmoil, questioning and solid proofs. If the country and its legal system are serious about putting an end to a raped woman’s suffering for good, it should consider assigning death penalty for rapists. Not only it will provide proper judgment for the worst and brutal crime but also it will cause significant drop in rape statistics and crimes against women in India. If you have better solutions than this then do share†¦.

Ozone Story and Significance Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ozone Story and Significance - Research Paper Example According to the study the book Limits to growth: the 30-Year Update examines that industrial production, food production and pollution all contributes to economic and societal collapse in the 21st century. Limits to growth: the 30-Year Update have taken into consideration various factors that cause change in the Ozone layer. These factors include the behavior of the people and their population, and pollution. The variables stated in the book Limits to growth: the 30-Year Update may increase, decrease, oscillate, remain constant or combine with a number of factors to impact on the Ozone layer. The 30-year period given in the book is also long enough to observe, research, and evaluate the effects human activities to climatic changes. The book Limits to growth: the 30-Year Update has played a huge role in setting up the standards of evaluation of the effects on Ozone layer. The book has identified the collect parameters to be used when undertaking a research on the Ozone layer and form s a guideline for other interested researchers as a secondary source of information. The Ozone layer protects the earth from the ultraviolet rays that are sent down to the earth from the sun. There is a great need to protect this layer since it protects people from the possible consequences caused by the damaging rays of the sun. If the Ozone layer in the stratosphere is destroyed by human activities on earth, the effects could be catastrophic. According to scientists, the Ozone layer is a layer of gases that contains much oxygen as compared to the one found around the earth, which protects the earth from ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is found around the stratosphere region of the earth that stretches more than 30 miles above the earth’s surface. This paper outlines that the Ozone acts by absorbing the ultraviolet rays of the sun from reaching the earth. The Ozone layer has been a source of much discussion in the recent years since it has been found to be depleting. The mai n course of the depletion of the Ozone layer is the amassed discharge of CFCs, chlorofluorocarbons, which is a form of pollution. Most recently, there have been strong connections the depletion of the Ozone layer and the climatic changes occurring in the environment. Depletion of Ozone layer affects climate and vice-versa. After many countries called for convection on the effects of global warming to curb the increasing effects of ultra-violet rays, scientists have noted a slow increase in their effects. Ultra-violet rays are responsible for skin cancer and thus ought to be minimized. Moreover, it is important to protect the Ozone layer in the stratosphere to prevent eye cataracts that are also caused by ultraviolet rays.  

Literature review Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Literature review - Research Paper Example In Edwin’s view, it was wrong to use information collected from men to arrive at conclusions about the entire society without seeking the views of both women and men. He argued that it was this hierarchy in society that had rendered women voiceless over the years. The main proponent of the theory is Cheris Kramarae. The Muted Group Theory has been used for purposes of communication studies. Cheris Kramarae, once a professor in charge of Women’s Studies, worked with various lecturers from around the world. According to Cheris Kramarae, the ideas contained in the Muted Group Theory state that men created communication as a tool for taking advantage of women (Kramarae, 1981). The theory requires women to play strictly within the confines of the language developed by man and are therefore not allowed to have their own way of expressing their feelings and thoughts. Muted group theory also provides an explanation as to why there are groups in society that have a voice while s ome are mute. In her 1974 study, Chen's Kramarae focused on how the characters in cartoons are quite deceptive. She noted that the female cartoon characters were portrayed as being apologetic and emotional. They are also depicted as flowery and vague in the way they communicate. Words such as pretty and nice are used to refer to these characters. It is from this initial study that she found evidence that supported the muted group theory (Griffin, 1997, p. 459). LITERATURE REVIEW The first book that I will analyze is the book written by Belenky titled Women's ways of knowing: the development of self, voice and mind. In this book, the author analyzes the way women’s feelings are not adequately served. The author argues that this is probably the reason why women face challenges when trying to climb the corporate ladder (Belenky, 1986). The author also states that in many cultures women are ignored and often discouraged from joining male dominated industries even when they have t he knowledge required. What was disappointing about this book was that the Muted Group theory was not mentioned and I had to critically analyze it in order to gather relevant information out of it. The author also used several theorists to explain herself which made the book even more complicated to analyze. The second book I will review is a book by Griffen titled the ‘Proprietors of language' and argues that language was developed by men and that women were not consulted in its development. In this case men are referred to as the dominate group while women, the mute group (Griffen, 2004). Muted Group theory is used to explain the reason why some groups in the society; in this case women are silent. According to Ardener, this group that is muted can be studied from a gendered outlook. Females behave differently from males because they are constructed in a different way. It is these same differences that Ardener argues qualify women to be classified among the muted groups and undervalued in society. The aspect of this book that I did not like was that the chapters were not directly related to the Muted Group theory either. The issues discussed were however quite interesting despite not being topical. It was however

The Representation of the People Act 1983 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Representation of the People Act 1983 - Essay Example Prisoners are allowed to vote in Canada, Ukraine, South Africa, Iran and some other nations, whereas other nations like Russia, Finland, some states in the USA ban prisoners from voting . Approximately, 4.5 million prisoners around the world have been disenfranchised . In the US some states allow felons out on parole or probation to vote . In Richardson v Ramirez , the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a state’s right to ban felons from voting. In Sauvà © v Canada , the Supreme Court of Canada rejected the legislation forbidding federal prisoners from voting. In Hirst v United Kingdom , the European Court of Human Rights, applying the reasoning in the case of Sauvà © v Canada, held the ban on prisoners’ voting rights as invalid. The UK government argued that disenfranchisement prevented crime and punished offenders, serving to enhance the civic responsibility and respect for the rule of the law. It also argued that convicted prisoners due to having breached the social contract had surrendered the right to take part in the civil process for the period of their sentence. The notion of civil death or withdrawal of political, legal and civil rights has its origins in ancient Greek and Roman societies and was adopted by medieval Europe .

Security findemental (Work place violence policy exerise) Essay

Security findemental (Work place violence policy exerise) - Essay Example Thus, policies are usually applicable in normal and ideal conditions. Policies are common in workplaces, institutions, teams, boards, and committees. In places where the people involved are in different groups, each group usually has its own policies to follow. Policies are usually short, precise, and accurate. Policies usually define later or possible courses of action that should be followed in varying circumstances. Generally, policies control the particular actions of concerned people in different circumstances or times. A security policy is of paramount importance in any workplace. It defines and guides the particular doings of employees regarding the maintaining of peace and calm in a workplace, and possible actions should the situation turn violent (Karen, 58). This paper seeks to examine and outline the security policy of ABC Company. It describes the possible actions that employees should take in case of physical danger in the company, from either outside or within the premises. The security manager has drafted this particular policy and its purpose is to guide the actions of all employees in the event of issues concerning workplace violence and possible physical harm like gun threats in the company. When outlining this policy, the security manager has taken into consideration that potential sources of harm can be from outsiders or from fellow employees. The ABC company security team upholds nil lenience to any kind of violent behavior within the company. The intention of this policy is to offer guidance that will preserve an atmosphere at and inside the company premises and proceedings that are void of hostility or any threat of aggression. Aggressive character or any example or form of hostility, direct or indirect, is forbidden at ABC Company, its grounds, and at any occasions or ceremonies of the company. Such behavior by a

Argument Analysis 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Argument Analysis 2 - Essay Example And in the third and final part, I shall assess the truth and validity of Aquinas’ argument with the help of logical reasoning. I will conclude that Aquinas’ argument is indeed a valid argument for the existence of God, based on its logical structure, but I shall argue that the entire argument is weak for it is founded upon a mere assumption. To begin with, Aquinas starts his argument by observing that there exists an â€Å"order of efficient causes† (â€Å"Summa Theologiae†). So, all events entail the existence of a prior cause, which causes its occurrence. If something is caused, then it must be caused by something other than itself. It must be caused by something other than itself, for it is logically impossible to be the cause and be caused in the same way and in the same respect. However, if something causes another thing’s occurrence, which causes the occurrence of another thing, which in turn causes another, then an order of efficient causes would entail, an infinite chain of causes. There cannot be an infinite chain of causes, for there would be no first cause. The absence of a first cause would entail the absence of a beginning from which all things began to occur. There must exist a first uncaused cause that initiated the chain of efficient causes, which is God. Therefore God exists. Given the aforementioned reconstruction, I began by claiming premise one by referring to the law of causality, which is a given in Aquinas’ argument. In premise two, the first premise is then applied to the occurrence of X, from which it was inferred, by virtue of â€Å"material implication,† that X was caused by something prior to it, that is, Y, as premise three verifies it (Copi and Cohen 395). Premise four applies the same principle, by virtue of material implication, from which it was inferred that Y was caused by something prior to it, that is, Z. However, premise five shows that this order of efficient causes lead to an infinite regress, from which