Julia's Justifications

“Show Me the Monet” According to literaryterms.net, the definition of satire is “the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices.” In deciding whether something is satire or not, I think to myself if it is making fun of a person or idea and believe that its purpose is more than entertainment or humor. Usually the characteristics include humor, irony, and exaggeration, even though only one is needed for it to count as satire.  In Banksy’s Show Me the Monet, he recreated Monet’s Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies almost identically. Monet’s work which represents a tranquil pond scene, does not really differ from Banksy, except for the fact that there are two shopping carts and a traffic cone in the water. To establish this as satire, there must be humor, irony, or exaggeration. While I do not see irony, there is humor and exaggeration present. One thing that makes this piece humorous, or at least absurd, is the shopping car...

Lately, I have been increasingly more interested and involved in politics. I have been updated on the upcoming election and issues surrounding it. I am sure at least some of us watched the latest Presidential debate between Trump and Biden—safe to say it was “interesting” to watch. Insults were thrown left and right, with multiple interruptions between the two (mostly Trump, but I digress). When news came about that a group of individuals were plotting to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, Trump made sure to give his deepest condolences to her. At a rally in Muskegon, Michigan, he said, “You know, that has happened to me before, plenty of times in fact. I have enemies, plenty of enemies. But can you say, when you are as rich as me?” In order for Trump’s approval rating to go up, he knew he had to get on Whitmer’s good side and show some empathy for once. “I need another wild tweet, something that will make them go CRAZY. Let’s see. Let’s see.” In response to recent events, President Trump tweet...

  While reading Oedipus Rex, Sophocles had me thinking about a term I was not familiar with—catharsis. I had heard the words “cathartic experience” before but never truly knew what it meant. Merriam-Webster defines catharsis as “purification or purgation of the emotions,” but I prefer the synonymous version of “blowing off steam,” because if I were to explain what catharsis is to a child, this is what I would tell them. To further go into depth, I ended up finding a song called “Blowing Off Steam” by Abney Park. The following lyrics sum up the definition perfectly; “Should I run? Should I hide? Should I change my life completely? Should I hold me inside? Or keep my anger hid discreetly?” I recommend listening to the song here:   https://youtu.be/bel1L7FRZsc Throughout Oedipus, the characters experienced very complex emotions which eventually led to an emotional release, or cleansing. Catharsis can be seen on lines 1341-1344, where Sophocles states, “He tore the brooches – th...

  While writing about the complex character of Oedipus, I noticed that not only is he a narcissist, but reaches the highest point of narcissism, grandiosity. Someone with grandiosity usually think they are superior to all other things and people, and have an exaggerated sense of one’s importance, knowledge, power, etc. One place you can see evidence of this is in line 6, where he states he is one “whom all men call the great.” We get it Oedipus, you defeated the sphinx with your almighty wits, but would I say you are the greatest among all mankind? I am afraid not. There is nothing wrong with a little confidence or even arrogance when necessary, but this guy thinks he is a god, or something. While reading the play, Oedipus has made very difficult for me to like him. From calling himself the great to pitying his own citizens, (“I pity you children,” line 6) I was getting very close to leaving this dude right on the page. However, there is a quote in the bible that I thought would ...