Social Commentary Research Articles

CONTEMPORARY INDIAN WOMEN ARTISTS AS DIGITAL SOCIAL COMMENTATORS ON WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of Indian women artists harnessing digital platforms to critique and engage with societal norms surrounding gender equality and women’s empowerment. Being active participants on digital platforms they are strongly addressing issues related to women’s rights by socially commentating through their art. Digital platforms encourage global audiences and international access to artworks that enable artists to amplify their content through active social media engagement. Social media platforms are powerful mediums of connection that encourage the boosting of young talent to reach diverse audiences through their exhilarating art pieces. These women artists are presenting themselves and letting out their voice through art campaigns, projects, series, installations, 3D artworks, crypto, digital paintings, etc. to bring to the forefront topics such as gender bias, patriarchy, violence against females, stereotyping, inclusivity, sexuality, consent, body shaming, feminine perfection, female beauty standards and so on. They are motivated to present to the women of India, the need to be aware of the challenges and threats imposed on their identity as the society in which they live is at the turn of acknowledging a new age that is ready to offer acceptance and equality to women on the terms of their fight and struggle of pushing the system forward from the dead asleep. The digital artworks of a senior contemporary women artist and a young digital social commentator will be discussed in the paper to present a richer and more comprehensive understanding of the socio-political issues addressed through the artistic journey of these two artists belonging to different age groups.

Historic British Royal Memes

Historic British Royal Memes

Royalty and Its Representation in Popular Culture

Royalty and Its Representation in Popular Culture

Magic Meets Politics: Social Commentary and Literary Technique in the Short Stories of Seán Mac Mathúna

Magic Meets Politics: Social Commentary and Literary Technique in the Short Stories of Seán Mac Mathúna

Art, Crime, and Society: A Dual Analysis of ‘Six Napoleons’ and ‘Solitary Cyclist’

In this paper, we will delve into the intriguing narratives of ‘The Adventure of the Six Napoleons’ and ‘The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist’ from Best of Sherlock Holmes Short Stories. By examining the theme of repetition and exploring the symbolic significance of the vandalized Napoleon busts this paper portrays meticulous handling of the detective, Sherlock Holmes. Additionally,this paper also analyses the social commentary embedded in ‘The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist’, focusing on aspects such as the portrayal of the press, societal expectations, and the dangers faced by a lone woman. Furthermore, this paper will examine Holmes’ interactions with law enforcement, shedding light on the dynamics between private and official investigation methods. We aim to provide a nuanced understanding of these two captivating tales and their contributions to the overarching themes within the Sherlock Holmes canon.

Pandemic Narratives in Graphic Literature: A Study of Comics

This paper expands the discourse on pandemic studies in literature and the arts by integrating an analysis of comics and graphic narratives. While traditional literary scholarship has marginally addressed the thematic representation of pandemics, this study foregrounds the unique contributions of comics in depicting and understanding these crises. I argue that comics, with their blend of visual and textual storytelling, offer nuanced perspectives on pandemics, often overlooked in mainstream literary canon. Through an examination of works like Hope On! An Anthology of Comics and comic books such as Nagraj Strikes: The Attack of Coronaman, state-sponsored initiatives like Kids, Vaayu & Corona, and webzines such as The Times of Corona, this paper illustrates how comics capture the multifaceted nature of pandemics. These narratives range from optimistic environmental reflections to critical social commentaries, embodying diverse cultural responses to disease outbreaks. Furthermore, the paper discusses the representational challenges faced in visualizing pandemics and how comics navigate these through creative personifications and metaphorical depictions of viruses. The unique capacity of comics to engage, educate, and provoke thought makes them a powerful medium in the ongoing dialogue about pandemics. By integrating comics into pandemic studies, this research aims to enrich the academic conversation, providing a more comprehensive understanding of how literature and art reflect and respond to global health crises.

Switching the Script: Unveiling the Linguistic Dance of Code-Switching in Nigerian Online Skits

This journal article presents an in-depth investigation into the intricate phenomenon of code-switching in Nigerian online comic skits, a burgeoning genre of digital entertainment. Within Nigeria, a nation characterized by linguistic and cultural diversity, online comic skits have emerged as a potent medium for creative expression, social commentary, and cultural representation. This research delves into the analysis of the different roles and types of code-switching employed by content creators in these skits, elucidating their linguistic, sociocultural, and comedic dimensions. Conducting a descriptive qualitative analysis, Poplack's (1980) Model of Types of Code-Switching and a functional model adapted from Hoffmann (1991) and Appel and Muysken (2005) were applied. Five skits, selected based on substantial viewership and the popularity of content creators, formed the core of this study. Our findings indicate that all three types of code-switching are prevalent in the skits, with inter-sentential switching being the most frequent. Additionally, the seven functions of code-switching manifest in the skits, with the referential function emerging as the most frequent. The primary use of code-switching in these skits revolves around fostering humor, expressing strong emotions, and portraying the educational status of the characters.

George Orwell and Totalitarianism: A Master of Political and Social Commentary

This analysis delves into George Orwell's legacy as a British writer and journalist, focusing on his incisive scrutiny and critique of political and social structures, with a specific emphasis on totalitarianism. Through a comprehensive examination of Orwell's seminal works, "Animal Farm" and "1984," the study aims to reveal the enduring relevance of his critiques by contextualizing them within the socio-political landscape of his era and drawing connections to contemporary issues of government power, surveillance, and individual liberties. Employing a multifaceted methodology encompassing literary analysis, biographical exploration, historical contextualization, comparative analysis, and the incorporation of scholarly perspectives, the research provides a nuanced understanding of Orwell's contributions, emphasizing his impact on literature, political thought, and the ongoing discourse surrounding the perils of unchecked authority. In conclusion, Orwell's enduring legacy emerges as a critical observer and commentator, whose works remain powerful reflections on totalitarianism, surveillance, and the fragility of individual freedoms, resonating globally as relevant and cautionary narratives.

Exploring masculinities in Barbie (2023) directed by Greta Gerwig

"Barbie" (2023), directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written with Noah Baumbach, offers a satirical exploration of masculinity in the Barbie universe. This research paper employs Raewyn Connell's "Types of Masculinity" framework to analyze the male characters, particularly Ken, and their representation of different forms of masculinity within the fantastical world of Barbieland. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is used to uncover hidden beliefs and social commentary about masculinity expressed through language. The film presents a multifaceted exploration of masculinity, including hegemonic, complicit, subordinate, and marginalized types, challenging and reinforcing conventional gender expectations and contributing to a broader discourse on gender representation in contemporary cinema.
 
 Keywords: Barbie, contemporary cinema, critical discourse Analysis (CDA), gender representation, Greta Gerwig, masculinity, Raewyn Connell.

Into the meme stream: The value and spectacle of Internet memes

This article ‘tracks’ memes, forms of networked, pictorial/caption humour and social commentary – as well as cultural labour, through a process of value change: the ‘meme stream’. This is a process of incorporation of cultural resistance and labour into, and by, the dominant forces of capital that facilitate them: social media networks and their advertisers. We use Marcuse’s Repressive Tolerance alongside Debord’s Spectacle to argue that as memes move, increasing their audience as they go, they lose resonance with a dedicated audience but gain exposure with a more diffuse audience, which is detrimental to the expression of political, countercultural or socially provocative positions. We use Doge as our explanatory structural example. Our contribution is to demonstrate that the systems that allow for the flow and movement of memes reduce their expressive content, shifting them towards a template that is impotent for cultural, social or political critique.

Virtual Reality and Alternate Realities in Neal Stephenson’s “Snow Crash”

Cyberpunk literature encapsulates the genre's essence by representing technology integration and human existence in a dark, impending future. It shows a society rife with disparities and introduces unconventional heroes who navigate a world where the boundaries between the virtual and tangible realms. The primary objective of this research is to examine the representations of Virtual Reality and Alternate Reality in cyberpunk literature, mainly focusing on Neal Stephenson's "Snow Crash." The focus lies on how this significant work illustrates the portrayal of virtual and alternate realities in American science fiction, viewed through Postmodernism Literary Theory. An extensive discussion revealed that "Snow Crash" is a platform for addressing societal issues through its sturdy framework, examination of human interactions, and ethical considerations. It allows writers to explore intricate ideas, particularly emphasizing the significance of technology and scientific advancement. This exploration delves into the transformative potential of technology on society, ethics, and human experience, allowing for insightful social commentary. Also, "Snow Crash" mirrors societal shifts in scientific, technological, social, and cultural aspects affected by economic systems like mass consumerism and multinational capitalism. It embodies a paradigm that vividly portrays postmodern ideology, challenging established notions, especially concerning identity, within postmodern societies. Finally, the study's implications and limitations are discussed.

Money Metaphors We Live By: Analyzing Chinese Comic Books based on CMA

Chinese comic books appear to be filled with bright colors and interesting characters, but they also offer insight into the daily life relations and societal principles of modern China. In this study, we examined the construction and underlying meanings of money metaphors in Zhu Deyong’s comic book series We Are All Patients, and We Are All Patients 2: Love with an Idiot, using the conceptual metaphor theory (CMT). By mapping abstract concepts into more concrete and familiar domains, CMT conveys complex ideas, emotions, and social commentary in a way that readers can easily understand. We analyzed thirty-nine randomly chosen comic strips from Zhu’s comic books using Charteris-Black’s (2004) inductive method, conceptual metaphor analysis (CMA), to identify, explain, and interpret different metaphors. Through our analysis, we highlighted the most prominent money metaphors and how they relate to the current love and friendship relations made by modern Chinese people in their everyday lives. We found that money metaphors are classified into seven source domains: barrier, drug, tool, almighty, exchange, principle, and ambition.

Why cartoons make (some of) us smile

Abstract Pocket cartoons are a regular feature of most contemporary newspapers and magazines. As such, they represent a way of conveying complex social and political commentary in a simple visual form. How well we enjoy verbal (oral) jokes depends on the number of mindstates in the joke, and here we ask whether this is also true of visual cartoons. We use survey data from a sample of 3,380 participants attending a public exhibition of published print media cartoons by well-known cartoonists to determine the extent to which viewers’ ratings of cartoons are determined by the mentalizing content of cartoons, the participants’ gender and age, and the publication date of the cartoon. We show that the number of mindstates involved in the cartoon affects its appreciation, just as in verbal jokes. In addition, we show that preferred topics vary by age and gender. While both genders strongly prefer cartoons that explore the complexities of romantic relationships, men rate visual jokes more highly than women do, whereas women prefer jokes that involve political commentary or the dynamics of close relationships. These differences seem to reflect differences in the way the social worlds of the two genders are organized.

Cityscapes, trance states, and women walking: embodied practices of walking in experimental film and video

ABSTRACT Commonly associated with the cinema of Béla Tarr and Gus Van Sant, walking on screen has received relatively little attention from researchers despite the ongoing popularity of wayfaring films and videos. Unsurprisingly, even less is known about how walking functions in experimental film and video or responds to avant-garde storytelling. To fill this gap, I take a phenomenological stance on walking to discuss the pedestrian’s embodied experience in a few stylistically distinct works: Crowdog (Vanessa Renwick, 1984/1998), A Walk (Jonas Mekas, 1990), Ordinary Matter (Hollis Frampton, 1972), and Death Songs & Car Bombs (Brendan and Jeremy Smyth, 2013). Despite having different formats and narrative foci, which, respectively, explore walking in a structural-diaristic framework and as a trance state or turn it into a social commentary on female liberation and the culture clash, all of these films echo the phenomenological turn in film studies, demonstrating how pedestrians relate to the multisensorial, kinaesthetic practice and space of walking. Compared to the itinerant mode of art cinema, experimental film and video usually challenge the representational nature of walking and present it as a more complex, disorientating, and unconventional experience, linking the sensation of walking to social mobility, personal freedom, feminism, or place and urban memory.

Memory, Identity, and Resistance: Jurek Becker's Narratives as social Commentary on Holocaust Trauma

This article examines the life and work of Jurek Becker, focusing on his unique perspective as a Holocaust survivor and his contributions to post-war German literature. Although Becker’s literary legacy remains largely within German borders, his novels - particularly Jakob the Liar - offer profound insights into the Holocaust and Jewish identity in the context of both Germanies. Born into a Jewish family and surviving the horrors of the Lodz ghetto and concentration camps, Becker’s writing reflects his ambivalence towards Jewish identity and his complex relationship with German society. This article explores Becker’s thematic focus on memory, loss, and the search for identity, revealing how his experiences shaped narratives that address universal themes of human resilience and suffering. By analyzing Becker’s novels, essays, and personal reflections, the article underscores his role in grappling with Germany's Nazi past and confronting themes of memory and belonging that resonate well beyond the GDR’s ideological confines.

‘Dresse-toi!’ Perspectives on the (Re)Valorisation of Nonhuman Animal Performers in Contemporary Circus

It is the aim of this article to critically assess the (re)valorisation of nonhuman animals in contemporary circus. Though contemporary circus has declared itself to be an ‘animal-free’ artform, animals have been increasingly reappearing in contemporary circus performances over the past few years. In opposition to traditional circus, neither the presentation of the talents of nonhuman animals nor the demonstration of human power and dominance are the objective, rather, contemporary circus attempts to create critical and experimental artworks that function as social commentaries on the relation between humans and nonhuman animals. This article is divided into three parts. The first provides an overview of the staging strategies of nonhuman animals in traditional circus, as well as a contextual map of the renewed interest in animal performances in contemporary circus. The second is an analysis of the contemporary circus performance Dresse-toi (2018) by Cie Equinoctis, which sets out to counter the human dominance of animals in performance through the lens of the nonhuman turn. The third part reflects on further ways to decentre the human being and the anthropocentric telos in circus.

Jane Austen's Feminist Journey: From Enlightenment Sparks to Contemporary Discourse

This paper explores the multifaceted feminist themes woven throughout Jane Austen's novels. It delves into how Austen, a product of the Enlightenment era, critiques the societal constraints placed upon women in Regency England. Through witty dialogue and social commentary, Austen exposes the limitations on female agency, particularly regarding marriage, property ownership, and self-determination. The paper utilizes in-depth analysis to trace the evolution of Austen's feminist voice across her works. It unveils her subtle yet powerful critiques of patriarchal structures, highlighting the intersection of power and privilege within Austen's narratives. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of intersectionality in understanding the diverse experiences of women within her novels, acknowledging the impact of class and social status on their struggles. Finally, the paper underscores Austen's enduring legacy as a pioneering feminist voice. Her timeless novels continue to resonate with contemporary readers, sparking discussions about gender equality, female agency, and the fight for social change. Austen's work serves as a bridge between Enlightenment ideals and modern feminist discourse, solidifying her position as a literary icon whose influence transcends generations.

Music and Identity_ The Influence of Hip-Hop on the Formation of Urban Youth Culture

Introduction: Hip-hop, which emerged from the socio-economic hardships of African American, Afro-Caribbean, and Latino communities in the 1970s, has since become a global phenomenon that has a significant impact on the culture of urban adolescents worldwide. Review Literature: This investigation investigates the influence of hip-hop on the development of urban adolescent identity, examining its function as a platform for cultural engagement, social commentary, and self-expression. Methodology: This research examines the influence of hip-hop music, fashion, dance, and social media presence on the attitudes and behaviors of young people, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that includes a quantitative survey of 100 participants aged 16–35. Result and Discussion: Hip-hop's influence on fashion, language, and community is underscored by the findings, which also underscore its potential to inspire creativity and drive social change among urban youth. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the multifaceted influence of hip-hop, underscoring its significance in contemporary adolescent culture and its potential for future generations.

Identity Politics in Ayad's Homeland Elegies: A Diasporic Study

Introduction: "Homeland Elegies" by Ayad Akhtar (2020) is a deeply personal exploration of identity and belonging in a fractured nation. Blending fact and fiction, this work narrates a story of longing and dispossession in the post-9/11 world. It intertwines family drama, social commentary, and picaresque elements, focusing on the relationship between a father, a son, and their shared homeland. Methodology: Akhtar employs a new narrative voice to depict a country ravaged by financial ruin and compromised ideals. The narrative highlights the fear experienced by immigrants and critiques a society led by a TV personality as president. Postcolonial diaspora theory and hybridity serve as significant theoretical tools to construct the conceptual framework. Results/Findings: The novel reveals how unhealed wounds from 9/11 continue to impact the world, portraying diverse settings from American heartland towns to European suites and Afghan guerilla hideouts.

Analyzing Detroit: Become Human as a Medium for Social Commentary

Analyzing Detroit: Become Human as a Medium for Social Commentary