Art: The Mirror of Society

"The School of Athens" ~ Rafael

How can art be a mirror of society?

Art mirrors society by showing evolution and change in a society. There was no way except for art for moments to be captured so art was the only way that a moment could be shown visually. For example most of Roman art was mythological consisting of gods, goddesses and mythical creatures. During the Middle Ages art was only ever religious and unrealistic. These pieces of art consisted of biblical stories and biblical figures. "The School of Athens" by Rafael is a true depiction of the Renaissance because it shows change and a "rebirth" in knowledge and in painting. It shows a rebirth in knowledge because during the Renaissance curiosity was encouraged so people stopped searching for answers through the Church and made new discoveries through experiments and observations. Everyone in this painting was an amazing inquirer who worked to make new discoveries to share to the world. Another way that society had evolved during the Renaissance was through art itself. Human dissections weren't allowed during the Middle Ages so the paintings of people were unrealistic and proportioned. During the Renaissance though, the Church had less control over the people and dissections were being done and the details of the human body were being uncovered. These discoveries allowed painters to make all their paintings realistic and proportional as well. Along with anatomical accuracy artists used other techiniques to make their art more realistic with depth and shades. Through different time periods the society has affected art and as society changes art would soon follow as art mirrors society.

Da Vinci - A Rennaisance Man

Leonardo Da Vinci was a true renaissance man for many reasons. First of all Da Vinci had an open mind and thought of new ideas and concepts no one ever thought of before, making him a true renaissance man because the renaissance was a time where people began thinking of new ideas to improve their city. Another reason is that Da Vinci became interested in science and math after he was a well-known artist, this made him a true renaissance man because he tried to improve and continue old ideas. Finally Da Vinci helped his city in various ways which made him a true renaissance man because everyone in the renaissance time were trying to improve on their city, trying to make it the best.

Still Here

Still Here

By: Langston Hughes

I been scared and battered

My hopes the wind done scattered

Snow has friz me

Sun has baked me

Look like between 'em they done

Tried to make me

Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'--

But I don't care!

I'm still here!

In Langston Hughes' poem he states that he has been battered and bruised all through his life, but he keeps on going. He has been pulled down far too many times for his liking, but he never gives up for what ever he is chasing until he has reached it. I think that maybe he might have been writing about when the segregation because he states "they" so I think he might be describing how he feels he's being treated and how he will not give up. I think he is also trying to show that he will always fight for his rightful place and not be pushed down because the color of his skin. This poem transcends time and speaks to all cultures because it is describing how to live your life to the fullest and not be brought down by other people's actions.

It's Choice Not Chance That Determines Your Destiny

Destiny creeps behind in your footsteps, always with you

Wrapped in your shadow

It begs you to turn around and let it guide you through life

Coelho reveals in The Alchemist that destiny will always be there for you and all you have to do is follow it. When people have there destinies revealed to them they normally are too afraid to follow their destiny and they are doubtful about being able to achieve their destiny. As well people normally don’t follow their destiny because they keep it in their heart so they feel like they have a reason to live. Your heart will stop sending you messages and omens to help you follow your destiny and then you won’t have a chance to follow your destiny. Like in The Alchemist we need to be able to quiet ourselves and just listen to our heart no matter how hard or how fearful you might be. Anyone can achieve there destiny if they start listening to there heart and take a chance.

Thrive to Live

Thrive to Live

“It’s true; life really is generous to those who pursue there destiny,” Coelho (160). In The Alchemist, Santiago, takes the advice of an old, wise man and leaves his beloved home land, Andalusia, to pursue his destiny. Santiago has a recurring dream about a treasure buried underneath the pyramids of Egypt and an old, wise man sets him on his journey. On his travels, he encounters many wise people who support and guide him. Santiago overcomes multiple obstacles and finds himself as a person. Santiago successfully achieves his destiny though his courageous actions, determined personality and wise decisions.

Santiago uses courage to persevere through his journey. Santiago demonstrates his courage to even begin his journey for his treasure. It is difficult for Santiago to decide whether he should stay in his simple life as a shepherd or go in search for his treasure that may or may not exist in the Pyramids of Egypt. In the end he decides that he can always go back to being a shepherd. Even though the desert is huge and the treasure is so far away Santiago decides to embark on his journey. Another reason Santiago is courageous is when he had to cross the deadly desert, even with the tribal wars going on. Santiago probably was scared when he heard how dangerous it was to cross the desert at this time, but he was determined to get to his treasure so he crosses.. “‘I hold the power of life and death for every person I take with me. The desert is a capricious lady and sometimes she drives men crazy.’” (68). With all the risks in mind Santiago still is courageous enough to go in search of his treasure Santiago is courageous enough to go across the desert despite what the leader of the caravan said. Finally, Santiago shows his valor with his first encounter with the Alchemist. Even though Santiago was staring death in the face, he did not run or try to protest, he was courageous enough to stay. Santiago’s brave personality kept him with the sword on his head instead of running away and being a coward. He vowed that, if he died, he died with courage. Santiago’s courage started him off on his journey but his resilience and perseverance kept him going.

Determination helps Santiago to complete his journey. Santiago uses his determination start his adventure off to be a shepherd. He is determined to travel and see his country even though his father says that traveling is only for wealthy people or for shepherds. “‘Amongst us, the only ones who travel are the shepherds.’ ‘Well, then I’ll be a shepherd!’”. Santiago was determined to become a shepherd and that started off his entire journey in search of his treasure. `” The next time Santiago determination was called into question was when he was robbed in the market at the Tangiers. After he was robbed Santiago had no money and knew nothing about his new world and almost gave up his search for his treasure. Instead he decides to climb up a hill in search of someone who will feed him and gets lucky. He gets a job at a Crystal Store so he is able to make money to set him off on his journey again. Finally, Santiago is determined to complete his destiny and retrieve his treasure is when he is faced with crossing the vast desert. Santiago knows that the desert is thousands of kilometers away from where he is and if anything was to go wrong that would spell the end of his life. Santiago’s determination through his adventure, led him to learn about the world and himself along the way

Santiago gains wisdom and knowledge on his journey to find his treasure and starts to understand the world better. Santiago learns from Melchizedek, an elderly man about destiny and The Principle of Favorability. He learns that everyone has their own personal destiny and normally people don’t want to change there lives so they don’t go after their destiny. Melchizedek encourages Santiago to chase his destiny by describing The Principle of Favorability. “‘And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.’” (21). During this one talk with Melchizedek, Santiago decides to set of on his journey so he can achieve his destiny. Once Santiago is off on his journey, he meets a very knowledgeable man on the caravan to Al Fayoum. This man, known as The Englishman, teaches Santiago about the Soul of the World and about alchemy. The Englishman tells Santiago that there is a Soul of the World and that people who understand the Soul of the World are able to understand the Language of the Universe which in return will help them get through life. Santiago also gains knowledge about alchemy from the Englishman and how alchemists are able to do extraordinary things and change people’s lives by helping them out. Finally, Santiago discovers how to live his life from the alchemist. The alchemist teaches Santiago that if he is able to listen to his heart it will tell you what to do and how to do it. Another piece of knowledge that Santiago gains from the alchemist is that you should live your life to the fullest because you might not be able to get a second chance to live out your true destiny. Along Santiago’s journey to find his treasure he uses and gains many traits that will help him later on in life.

Traveling all the way to Egypt in search of his treasure Santiago returns home to the ruined church where is adventure started off. At the ruined church Santiago finds his treasure and finally fulfills his destiny. Santiago was able to achieve his destiny and have a journey of a lifetime by staying courageous in dangerous situations, being determined to reach and complete his destiny and gaining wisdom and knowledge on the way from learned people. After his journey Santiago has altered his way of life because he now has a treasure, love and most importantly an understanding of the world. Destiny is there for the taking as long as anyone thrives to live life to the fullest.

Determination: My Journey

Pieter van den Bosch - A Woman Scouring a Pot

There is one trait that will get me through life and help me achieve my personal destiny which is determination. If I was ever to fail or not reach the goal that I set for myself, I will try again until I am able to reach the goal that I want. When I don't do so well in sports I try to make myself better by trying again and not just stopping. As well, if I get a bad grade on a test or project I don't just let it happen I look back at what I did wrong until I understand it and ask the teach to help explain it to me. Finally, I won't normally stop and give up what I am trying, I will keep pushing until the end so that I will understand what I was doing and how to do it the next time. Even though I don't know what I want my profession will be when I grow up I know that being determined will help me achieve my destiny.