Reflection
When we think about identity, we may mainly focus on external markers. It is important to understand that our identities are comprised of ideas and ways of seeing the world around us. Our identities, therefore, are socially constructed. The way we were born is only part of who we are. However, I often wonder where these ideologies come from. The answer is not completely clear. The media plays a prominent role in creating meaning, shaping our values, and defining who we are. These values are powerful because we internalize them and take them for granted. If our identities are socially constructed, then they are not natural. Not only is there more room for a greater variety of identities to emerge, but it is also the case that the construction of identity has become a known requirement. There are various ways in which popular ideas about the self in society have changed, so that identity is today seen as more transformable than ever before. A while ago, analysis of popular media used to tell us that mainstream culture was resistant to social change and was trying to push people back into traditional categories. Today, it seems more appropriate to emphasize that the mass media is a force for change. Popular media, such as movies and novels, desire to create new modes of life. Whether one is happy with the way things are, or they seek something different, it must surely be considered good if society is encouraging it.
There are many things that I have came to realize after analyzing Beauty and the Beast and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The main thing that I have come to realize after analyzing these two texts is the subliminal messages that are hidden throughout them. Messages are extremely important in order to interest the viewers/readers. Subliminal messages lie below our threshold of conscious awareness. Firstly, Beauty and the Beast has many subliminal messages that I realized after analyzing it. Beauty and the Beast is an incredibly entertaining movie that gets across important messages and persuasion as well. The messages this movie is attempting to get across were extremely effective in my childhood and they continue to be effective now. Beauty and the Beast has taught so many people, along with my self, many important life lessons that defiantly shape us to be who we are. For example, a subliminal message that Beauty and the Beast conveys is the importance of loving your family. Belle does not care what other people think of her and her father. She does what she likes, and does not do what she does to impress other people. In a time when people frowned on women reading, she did it because she enjoyed it. Belle decided instead of having her father trapped in the Beast's castle, she would take his place. This is an attempt to get the audience to understand the importance of family. Another important message that I realized was apparent after analyzing this text, was that we shouldn’t judge a person by their appearance. This messaged is displayed in Beauty and the Beast through Gaston and the Beast. Gaston liked Belle, but he was ignorant, self-centered and a narcissist. When Belle saw that she rejected him. The Beast looked horrid, but once Belle got to know him, they fell in love. Though it is obvious after mentioning it that Beauty and the Beast has many hidden messages throughout the movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is definitely not lacking these subtle messages either. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is filled with interesting messages that I did not come to realize until after analyzing the novel. The Perks of Being a Wallflower explores almost every problem a teenager could face. The novel talks about teen pregnancy, sexuality, addiction, romantic drama, bullying, sexual abuse and many more things. There are many messages discussed throughout this novel that really left an effect on many people, including myself. In my opinion, one of the most influential messages that was proposed in this novel is the message that everyone is more than their disorder or past trauma. Sometimes, no matter how strong we pretend we are and how normal we try to be we need a connection with people to learn how to mend past pain. This message is shown throughout the novel since Charlie had been abused, emotionally manipulated, and even felt guilty about his abusers death. Charlie needed to learn that there were people out there who knew he wasn't normal and that that was okay, because he was moving forward.
One of the things that stood out the most to me was the fact that media, even a Disney movie, can have such a tremendous impact on society as a whole. It was not until after studying these two texts that I came to realize just what major affect they have had on me as a person. Beauty and the Beast taught me so many things growing up. This movie showed me that it isn't appearances that matter most, but it is the bond that you can form with someone that is really crucial in relationships. Movies are often seen as just something we watch for entertainment and we do not realize the huge impact they have on us. As I watched Beauty and the Beast as a kid I obviously never thought about how the movie could potentially be changing me. It was not until after researching the movie that I came to realize the affects it has had on many kids growing up, not just me. The Perks of Being a Wallflower showed me that I should not let my past define whom I am and that it is what I choose to do with my future that really matters. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age novel that, in my opinion, will go down in history as one of the most influential novels for teenagers along with other older generations. As a consumer of media, my behaviour has changed tremendously after analyzing these media texts. I have now come to realize the major effects media such as movies and novels have on us in our day-to-day lives. I never realized that simply watching a movie or reading a book could potentially change my views and values in regards to many different things in society. Overall, analyzing these texts and realizing their impacts on me is something that is extremely important. Beauty and the Beast and The Perks of Being a Wallflower are two media texts that have had a huge impact on my life.
There are many things that I have came to realize after analyzing Beauty and the Beast and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The main thing that I have come to realize after analyzing these two texts is the subliminal messages that are hidden throughout them. Messages are extremely important in order to interest the viewers/readers. Subliminal messages lie below our threshold of conscious awareness. Firstly, Beauty and the Beast has many subliminal messages that I realized after analyzing it. Beauty and the Beast is an incredibly entertaining movie that gets across important messages and persuasion as well. The messages this movie is attempting to get across were extremely effective in my childhood and they continue to be effective now. Beauty and the Beast has taught so many people, along with my self, many important life lessons that defiantly shape us to be who we are. For example, a subliminal message that Beauty and the Beast conveys is the importance of loving your family. Belle does not care what other people think of her and her father. She does what she likes, and does not do what she does to impress other people. In a time when people frowned on women reading, she did it because she enjoyed it. Belle decided instead of having her father trapped in the Beast's castle, she would take his place. This is an attempt to get the audience to understand the importance of family. Another important message that I realized was apparent after analyzing this text, was that we shouldn’t judge a person by their appearance. This messaged is displayed in Beauty and the Beast through Gaston and the Beast. Gaston liked Belle, but he was ignorant, self-centered and a narcissist. When Belle saw that she rejected him. The Beast looked horrid, but once Belle got to know him, they fell in love. Though it is obvious after mentioning it that Beauty and the Beast has many hidden messages throughout the movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is definitely not lacking these subtle messages either. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is filled with interesting messages that I did not come to realize until after analyzing the novel. The Perks of Being a Wallflower explores almost every problem a teenager could face. The novel talks about teen pregnancy, sexuality, addiction, romantic drama, bullying, sexual abuse and many more things. There are many messages discussed throughout this novel that really left an effect on many people, including myself. In my opinion, one of the most influential messages that was proposed in this novel is the message that everyone is more than their disorder or past trauma. Sometimes, no matter how strong we pretend we are and how normal we try to be we need a connection with people to learn how to mend past pain. This message is shown throughout the novel since Charlie had been abused, emotionally manipulated, and even felt guilty about his abusers death. Charlie needed to learn that there were people out there who knew he wasn't normal and that that was okay, because he was moving forward.
One of the things that stood out the most to me was the fact that media, even a Disney movie, can have such a tremendous impact on society as a whole. It was not until after studying these two texts that I came to realize just what major affect they have had on me as a person. Beauty and the Beast taught me so many things growing up. This movie showed me that it isn't appearances that matter most, but it is the bond that you can form with someone that is really crucial in relationships. Movies are often seen as just something we watch for entertainment and we do not realize the huge impact they have on us. As I watched Beauty and the Beast as a kid I obviously never thought about how the movie could potentially be changing me. It was not until after researching the movie that I came to realize the affects it has had on many kids growing up, not just me. The Perks of Being a Wallflower showed me that I should not let my past define whom I am and that it is what I choose to do with my future that really matters. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age novel that, in my opinion, will go down in history as one of the most influential novels for teenagers along with other older generations. As a consumer of media, my behaviour has changed tremendously after analyzing these media texts. I have now come to realize the major effects media such as movies and novels have on us in our day-to-day lives. I never realized that simply watching a movie or reading a book could potentially change my views and values in regards to many different things in society. Overall, analyzing these texts and realizing their impacts on me is something that is extremely important. Beauty and the Beast and The Perks of Being a Wallflower are two media texts that have had a huge impact on my life.