Glee: Creative Post #2

I still remember the day that Glee premiered on the Fox network. Naturally, I was skeptical of it since it was the first musical show that would be introduced on this particular channel. It turned out to be one of the most influential, important and realistic shows I have ever seen. Though I have noticed that it gets a lot of criticism from today's "cool" youth, I have developed an attachment to the characters and show more than I expected I would. Truthfully, Glee embodies the everyday problems that today's high schoolers go through. The producers, director, and actors skillfully transform every issue into music and transcend verbal barriers in achieving a connection with their audience. There has been more than one episode that has moved me to tears. The simple fact is that, they GET IT. No other show is out there that acknowledges the troubles of every type of kid out there. They just get it! I cannot think of any other statement to prove my point. There is no way, without a doubt, that any teenager will not appreciate Glee if they have not seen it. It is a stress-reliever, a comedy, a relatable story, encourages individuality and finally, it promotes the use of music to overcome your problems. A healthy way of dealing with the various emotions that kids deal with on a daily basis. More than JUST a musical, Glee is an escape. I love it and I always will :)

Buckley's Pride and Prejudice vs. Austen's Pride and Prejudice: Creative Blog #1

The Spring Drama this year amazed me beyond expectations. Though it was quite different from Austen's novel, the actors and scenes really resonated the reality of early English society. The ability of each character to accept and perform their role thoroughly was refreshing. While the basic personalities of every actor was identical to that of Austen's original characters, the execution of the story differed. The direction was outstanding; the audience was able to get a fulfilling idea of the novel while sitting only for a duration of 3 hours. Overall, my favorite performance was Olivia's as Lady Catherine De Bourgh (and I'm not just saying that). Her attitude and comedic personality was perfect for the role and she stood out amongst others. While the whole of the play was cleverly dialogued and beyond hilarious (I heard the whole audience burst into laughter every few minutes) I most respected the timing. The moments that Austen designed to be serious effectively connected with each audience member on an emotional level and when it came time to break the ice, the show was on top of it. Not once was I bored, or I wondered how much longer the play would be. It was beautifully executed and skillfully represented Austen's original vision of early England.

Introduction on Conformity

Though the inception of conformity comes from societal values, familial pressure is what enforces it. The most integral impact of conformity on any human being takes place in the home. The essence of this environment affects their ability to establish individuality both socially and educationally. In the past and present, societal expectation has consistently seemed to be much more important to parents than the right of their children to be opinionated. Therein lies the problem of the compulsion to conform and the incapability to foster uniqueness. However, rejecting the entire system also harbors conventionalism. Recently, the desire to defy the pressure to become a "typical" member of society is in the majority. Therefore, at either end of the spectrum, there is no sense of individuality. Unfortunately, the truth of our society, in its steady evolution, is that it has become the "trend" to be unique. This idea is explored in Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis," as Gregor Samsa finds himself trapped as an insect, unable to escape the historic definition of conformity. Ultimately, there is no escaping conformity, as the interpretation is constantly changing.

Does Education Encourage Conformity?

Education is a very interesting and almost too complex of a topic to analyze when it comes to conformity. Some might say that education itself is conformist, while others believe that it is natural to fulfill one's curiosity about the world. In either case, I believe that education is an instinct. As human beings, we naturally tend to question our surroundings and seek answers. But then what is the role of teachers in our society? Well, as our curiosity begins at a young age, this is the time at which the mind is most impressionable. If teachers spend more time working to mold the creative ability of children and fostering their skills of analysis, education in the future becomes automatically individualistic. By the time students hit the area of junior high or high school, their role must be to take factual evidence and use the abilities shaped over the past several years to formulate their own opinions rather than conform. I define conformity as being told what to think and how to think. This is entirely up to the person who is being taught. If the student is confident enough in their individuality to buck the teacher's forced views (if there are any) then non-conformity can be achieved. This is not the teacher's responsibility. Those skill should already be in function when the student hits maturity. Thus, I cannot categorize education as conformist or non-conformist, but I can say that conformity ultimately lies in the hands of the individual. There are certain suggestions that can be taken into the traditions of education to improve the students' journey into independence and uniqueness throughout their life.