Life and Art of Cindy Sherman, Feminist Photographer

Cindy Sherman (born January 19, 1954) is an American photographer and filmmaker whose â€Å"Untitled Film Stills,† a series of photographs meant to evoke a still shot from a fictional movie, launched her to fame. Fast Facts: Cindy Sherman Occupation: Artist and photographerBorn: January 19, 1954 in Glen Ridge, New JerseyEducation: Buffalo State CollegeKnown For: Photographs exploring themes of feminism, image, subjugation, and superficialityKey Works:  Untitled Film Stills  series (1977-1980),  Centerfolds  series (1981) Sherman is well known for the insertion of her own image into her photographs, donning prosthetics, costume, and makeup to transform herself into the subject of her gaze. Often engaging themes of feminism, image, subjugation, and superficiality, Sherman continues to be sought after as a voice of critique in a media-based world. She is considered a member of the â€Å"Pictures Generation† of American artists, who came to prominence in the 1970s and 80s. Early Life and Family Cindy Sherman was born Cynthia Morris Sherman on January 19, 1954 in New Jersey. She grew up on Long Island and was the youngest of five children. Because the sibling closest to her age was nine years her senior, Sherman felt like an only child, sometimes forgotten in the midst of so many others in her family. Sherman has said that, as a result of her family dynamic, she sought attention in any way possible. From a very young age, Sherman donned alternate personas with the assistance of her extensive costume wardrome. She describes her mother as kind-hearted and â€Å"good,† though primarily concerned that her children make the right impression (something which tempted the young Sherman to rebel). She has described her father as mean-spirited and closed minded. Shermans family life was not happy, and when Sherman was 15 years old, her elder brother committed suicide. This trauma had repercussions for Sherman’s personal life, and she cites it as the reason she ended up in several long-term relationships she did not want to be in, believing she could help other men where she could not help her brother. She was married to the video artist Michel Auder for 17 years in the 1980s and 90s, a marriage which ended in divorce. Beginnings as an Artist Sherman studied art at Buffalo State College. After graduating, she moved to New York City with artist Robert Longo, who was a fellow art student and Buffalo State graduate. In the 1970s, New Yorks streets were gritty and sometimes unsafe. In response, Sherman developed attitudes and attires that acted as coping mechanisms for the discomforts she would meet on her way home—an extension of her childhood habit of dress-up. Though she found it upsetting and uncomfortable, Sherman ultimately saw New York as a place of reinvention. She began to show up to social occasions in costume, and eventually Longo convinced Sherman to begin photographing her characters. These were the beginnings from which the Untitled Stills were born, most of which were photographed in or around the apartment the two shared. In many ways, the rebellious spirit instilled in Sherman as a child never left her. For example, as her work was gaining popularity in the 1980s, the artist took a turn towards the grotesque, creating work that featured various bodily fluids spilled and smeared within the frame, as a way to challenge the art world’s perception of her as salable and appropriate to â€Å"hang above a dining room table.† In the 1990s, the National Endowment for the Arts withdrew its funding from â€Å"controversial† projects. As an act of protest against what she perceived to be a form of censorship, Sherman began to photograph outrageous portraits of genitals, using plastic hospital dummies and mannequins common to medical school classrooms. This type of subversion continues to define Sherman’s career. Untitled Film Stills Sherman works in series of photographs in which she builds off a theme that addresses a social issue. Her subjects have been wide-ranging as what it means to age as a woman, the subjugating effect of the male gaze on the female form, and the contorting effects of social media on self-image. Within each series, Sherman acts as the model, costumer, make-up artist, and set designer. The â€Å"Untitled Film Stills† (1977-1980) are arguably Sherman’s most famous works. These images, all in black and white, evoke key moments in Hollywood cinema. Though the â€Å"films† from which these photographs were taken do not exist, their appeal lies in the fact that they evoke moods played out ceaselessly in popular movies, thus causing the viewer to sense that he or she has seen the film before. Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still #17 (1978).   tate.org The tropes portrayed by Sherman include the young ingenue, dominated by the city, who gazes off in fear at an unknown person or object out of frame, and the outcast, standing among detritus and ruins, waiting for someone to arrive. Often, these images contain within them a threat and a feeling that nothing good can come of these situations. By inserting discomfort into images of women, Sherman asks the viewer to consider the subject and understand her vulnerability. Centerfolds and Later Work In the early 80s came the â€Å"Centerfolds,† a series of double-width images intended to mimic the typically seductive and alluring poses of models placed at the center of adult magazines. Sherman turned the concept of a centerfold on its head by using the format to depict women who had endured physical abuse. The images hold the viewer accountable for approaching the works as if they were designed to please— in Shermans words, they are a â€Å"thwarted expectation. Cindy Sherman, Untitled #92 (1981). Centerfolds series.   christies.org In 2017, Sherman made public her personal Instagram account, which serves as an extension of her practice. Sherman employs the tools of digital airbrushing—intended to falsely alter images of the human face to achieve the tool of flawlessness—and instead pushes these contortions to an extreme. Using applications intended to improve images, Sherman exaggerates features, thus drawing attention to the fine line between inhuman perfection (the type that only social media is capable of showing) and inhuman, almost alien-like alteration. In line with her popularity in the more traditional art world, Shermans account (cindysherman) has garnered hundreds of thousands of followers. Awards and Accolades Cindy Sherman is a widely honored artist. She has received both a MacArthur Genius Grant and a Guggenheim Fellowship. She is an honorary member of the Royal Academy, and has been represented in numerous biennials across the world. Sherman continues to be an important voice not only in contemporary art, but also in the media age. Her biting critique gets at the core of an issue and hyper-focuses on it through the poignant and intimate medium of portraiture. She lives in New York with her parrot, Frida, and is represented by Metro Pictures Gallery. Sources BBC (1994).  Nobodys Here But Me. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vUXKNuWtXZ_U. (2012).Adams, T. (2016). Cindy Sherman: Why am I in these photos?.  The Guardian. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/jul/03/cindy-sherman-interview-retrospective-motivation.Russeth, A. (2017). Facetime with Cindy Sherman.  W. [online] Available at: https://www.wmagazine.com/story/cindy-sherman-instagram-selfie.

Taking a Look at Climate Change - 1400 Words

Climate change is a very real and prevalent issue in today’s society. So what can we do to stop it? Can we reverse the effects that have already taken place? This essay will address the issues of climate change, answer questions and talk about prevention. It is said that the Earth’s climate has been changing for the past century (State Government of Victoria, 2014). There is new found, stronger evidence that there have been increases in the average temperature across the globe and that the believed to be main cause of this change is due to human activities (University Corperation for Atmospheric Research, 2013). Greenhouse gases are what are most commonly referred to in conversation on climate change. Although greenhouse gases are generally referred to on the negative side, they are also essential to life (Mapstone, 2011). The greenhouse gases which consist of carbon dioxide, water vapor and methane retain heat in the earth’s atmosphere, gently warming our planet to sustain life, just as a greenhouse would in a cold climate, which is evidently where it receives its name. The sun warms the surface of the earth, which then radiates energy back towards space through the atmosphere. The greenhouse gases then absorb some of t he radiation and radiate heat in different directions, including towards earth. This is now adding to the heat the surface of the earth is already receiving from the sun. Without the aid of this greenhouse affect it is said that the surface of the earthShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at Climate Change1769 Words   |  7 PagesIf we are going to look at the consensus on climate change we should start by defining which group of people is supposed to be reaching that consensus. 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SpanishAmerican War Essay Research Paper In the free essay sample

Spanish-American War Essay, Research Paper In the late 1890s, the US was merely get downing to set up themselves as a universe power. In April of 1898 the Congress had begun to demand for Cuban independency from Spain. The Americans had begun to go disquieted with Spain after the Battleship Maine was sunk in the Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. Although ill-defined whether or non the Spaniards really sunk the ship, the xanthous journalists of the clip used propaganda to do it look as if the Spanish sunk the ship, and caused the general American populace to desire a war. The Spaniards had murdered and anguished 1000s of Cubans in order to keep power and control on the island. On April 11, President William McKinley asked Congress if they could utilize force to step in in Cuba with their desire for independency and Spain s reluctance in the issue.1 On April 19, Congress declared Cuba free and independent, and insisted on Spain s removing of their forces from Cuba. We will write a custom essay sample on SpanishAmerican War Essay Research Paper In the or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Two yearss subsequently, Spain ended all diplomatic dealingss with the United States, which resulted in Congress declaring a province of war four yearss following that event on April 25. The Spanish-American War had started, which would do the United States to emerge as a universe power. The first portion of the war took topographic point in the Pacific Ocean near the Philippines, in America s run to annex Philippines. The Americans utilized their powerful naval forcess of four 1st category battlewagons and one 2nd category battlewagon, along with many patrol cars and other war vessels which amassed to go three times every bit big as the Spanish Navy.2 The Spanish on the other manus, merely had one 1st category battlewagon, which was neer even active in the war due to necessary fixs, go forthing seven flagships to support against the American Navy, all the piece being less equipped than their American enemies. This state of affairs was non really good for the Spanish and allowed for the Americans to accomplish a instead easy triumph in obtaining Philippines. Admiral Commodore George Dewey led the American navy, and the Spanish Navy was led by Rear Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasaron in Manila Bay.3 Although the Spanish put up a battle, they were no lucifer for the Ame ricans, and were wholly destroyed with the US Navy enduring merely a few hurt and none dead, and no harm to any ships.4 The American citizens were enraptured over the triumph in the Pacific, and many people went to volunteer in the ground forces. The manner in which the authorities handled these extra voluntaries about cost the state in the war overall. They grouped the new military personnels into regiments of their ain, without the leading of established soldiers to take them, and so there were about 223,000 voluntaries believing that they were already veterans. These military personnels were non good plenty trained to contend against the 155,000 extremely trained Spanish soldiers in Cuba. The Americans besides did a hapless occupation of eating, sheltering, and maintaining the soldiers healthy during the war, as 2,565 work forces died of disease.5 Even though the American ground forces appeared disorganized, the leaders had a program to win the war with. Their aim was to capture Havana, which was the centre of all Spanish authorization in Cuba. The Americans stationed the habitues ( soldiers who we re in the ground forces before the declaration of war ) in New Orleans, Mobile, and Tampa during the clip period when new voluntaries were developing. A group of these habitues were placed under the bid of Major General William Shafter and their end was to travel from Tampa to Cuba and convey supplies to Cuban Rebels. The Americans besides were be aftering on using their Navy in the Atlantic to obstruct Cuba and forestall the Spanish from having supplies from Spain. This program would later alter though as state of affairss occurred during the war, as all war programs will be modified during a war do to minor reverses or progresss as a consequence of motions by the enemy. Even though the Americans destroyed the Spanish fleet in the Pacific Ocean, they had a much stronger Navy in the Atlantic, with the bulk located in the Cape Verde Islands. This fleet set canvas for Cuba one time the Americans set up their encirclement, and the Spanish wanted to interrupt up this encirclement by directing Admiral Cervera with an armada of four patrol cars and three gunman boats. Rear Admiral William Sampson was the American Naval Blockade commanding officer with three battlewagons, two patrol cars, and many smaller ships. A 4th battlewagon would get subsequently on in the war.6 While the Spanish were on their manner to Cuba, a rumour broke out that the Spanish were traveling to assail the East seashore, which caused Sampson to direct a powerful fleet to Virginia as a safeguard. While Sampson was trailing Cervera s fleet, the Spanish ships were in hunt of fuel, and so Cervera led them to Santiago de Cuba, where the American Navy in bend trapped them. The United States could non direct in the Navy into the port of Santiago for fright of the land guns operated by Spanish, which could make heavy harm to the American fleet. The Americans than decided to assail Santiago from the land, as they determined that it was imperative to capture Santiago and destruct the Spanish fleet without losing a individual Naval ship because of their labored dealingss with other foreign powers in the world.7 On May 30, 1898, General Shafter was stationed in Tampa with some habitues, and he received a missive from Washington DC teaching him to travel towards the country of Santiago with a group of soldiers and destruct the fort of soldiers located at that place along with the Spanish fleet. Shafter headed over at first with 18,000 military personnels, but at that place was a rumour of some Spanish ships policing the country, and the troop conveyances had small defence and had to wait at sea until the country was inspected, and by the clip the military personnels eventually arrived in Cuba there were 17,000 military personnels remaining.8 Theodore Roosevelt and his group of Rough Riders did last, and they would be really of import in the Battle of San Juan Hill. The Cuban Rebel leader General Calixto Garc a agreed to assist clear 300 Spanish soldiers out of the town of Daiquir. The end was for the US military personnels to capture the Morro Castle and garrisons at Socapa, but this required a trek up a 230 pes drop to a garrison, which had already resulted a slaughter of the British back in the eighteenth century, and General Shafter was loath in leting this mission, so the Americans decided to set down 15 stat mis east of Daiquir. By June 22, 1898 the landings on the island had begun. The Spanish officer in charge in the Santiago state was Lieutenant General Arsenio Linares who had 36,000 military personnels at his disposal in his country but possibly made a hapless determination in retreating his military personnels from Daiquir, in expectancy of a major conflict defence around Santiago. This allowed the Americans to set down around 20,000 work forces in Cuba without a shooting being fired to drive them off. The lone loss was five Equus caballuss that drowned. The Americans set up a base at Siboney, and the first land conflict of the short war was fought at Las Guasimas where 2,000 Spanish soldiers had been stationed to detain the Americans. The conflict was lead by Brigadier General Joseph Wheeler for the Americans, a Confederate ground forces veteran, who led the Yankees to a slightly triumph, in which the Americans had more casualties, but the Spanish were the 1s who retreated, leting the Americans to now keep Siboney as their base and Las Guasimas as a good apparatus place on the route to Santiago. The Americans had a slow-down of motion at the Siboney base, partially due to General Shafter s developing of a illness, forestalling him from even siting a Equus caballus. During this clip, General Linares besides began to do a formidable defence construction at El Caney and San Juan, both of which would go major conflict points. Shafter s program had been to capture El Caney, leave some military personnels at that place and so travel on to capture San Juan while General Garc a took the Cubans to obstruct the route West from Santiago, which would forestall Spanish supports from geting at the conflict. At El Caney, the Spaniards put up and improbably strong battle, led by Spanish General Joaquin del Rey, firing against the Americans with more advanced rifles, and doing the Americans to take much longer to capture the small town, which stalled the assault on San Juan Hill. The town of El Caney was non captured until late in the twenty-four hours, when the blockhouse was eventually captured, and subsequently on General del Rey was shot down.9 The town s gaining control now allowed the Americans to began the assault on San Juan. The Americans wanted to assail San Juan in order to be able to easier obtain Santiago, which was an of import port. The hills of El Caney and San Juan were of import hills outside the metropolis, which were necessary to hold to take over the metropolis. Once San Juan Hill was taken, the American Navy could get down their assault on Santiago through their naval forcess, in what was traveling to be a joint naval and ground forces attempt. The conflict at San Juan started off easy, with the voluntaries going panicked as the Spanish fired many fusillades into the way of the Americans. The group became disorganized until Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders arrived at the battleground, and at that place led the Americans on a dramatic charge into San Juan Heights and Kettle Hill, which was an easy triumph, unlike San Juan Hill which lied to the Americans side. Roosevelt was an inspirational figure to the voluntaries, as he was good known throughout America and was a leader of the Rough Riders. Although an easy triumph at San Juan Heights and Kettle Hill, San Juan Hill and its immense drop was a different conflict. There was an unfastened field which led to San Juan Hill, which was guarded good by the Spanish, and there was small attempt to ramp the garrison until Lieutenant John Parker led a hitter of three Gatling machine guns which easy began to drive the Spaniards off their musca volitanss in the trenches of San Juan Hill. Finally the Americans climbed the drop, and were it non for the Spaniards misfiring at that place may hold been many American casualties, but however the Americans reached the top and the Spaniards fled. The United States army now controlled all of San Juan Hill, which signified an unfastened route to Santiago. The ground forces did non cognize that the Spanish had a great defence force built up around Santiago, which would about do General Shafter to withdraw five stat mis back. San Juan Hill was a major turning point in the war, in that the habitues helped to take the voluntaries into better soldiers, as when the Rough Riders regrouped the voluntaries and allowed the military personnels to capture San Juan Heights. All told, about 1,071 Americans were wounded or killed, 375 among horse in the San Juan battle.10 The conflict was besides of import in increasing morale when John Parker took up the bravery to traverse an unfastened plane under Spanish fire in order to capture the San Juan Hill. The Americans had been holding problem traversing the field, and John Parker utilized his bravery to get down the concluding charge up the drop. Without his attempts, the conflict at San Juan Hill may hold last many more yearss, which could ve resulted in legion sums of American lives lost in the conflict. Following the acquisition of San Juan Hill on July 1, the Americans went on to fight a small before winning the war. Due to the loss of over 1,000 military personnels who were injured in the conflict of San Juan, the Americans were left with a instead thin line of military personnels. The Navy so got involved, which was another major event in the war. The Spanish Armada tried to get away from the Bay, even with the American Navy waiting. On July 3, 1898, the American Navy destroyed the remainder of the Spanish fleet in the Cuban country, which allowed for an easy coup detat of Santiago. Once the Spanish fleet was destroyed, the American Navy directed their attending to the metropolis of Santiago, and began to pelt them. With this barrage, the American ground forces started to bomb Santiago as good with their heavy weapon. The barrage started on July 10, and by July 17 the Spanish fort at Santiago had surrendered to the Americans.11 This resignation ended the Cuban run, and began the Spanish supplication for peace. The Americans did perpetrate one last war attempt, as they invaded Puerto Rico on July 25 and there were a few minor conflicts at that place, but nil major, as the Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, which officially ended the war. In between the sign language of the pact and the invasion of Puerto Rico, non much combat occurred, as it was largely dialogues. The concluding battled occurred on August 9 in Puerto Rico, and three yearss subsequently a armistice was signed. The armistice officially ended the war. The war with Spain allowed the United States to go a universe power and set up new districts such as Guam, Philippines, and Cuba. Equally early as December of 1897 President McKinley had been be aftering on assailing the Philippines if war was declared with Spain.12 The full war was completed in a 10-week clip span, and the United States suffered merely 345 casualties through battles.13 Although the war was chiefly dominated by the Americans, without the coup detat of San Juan Hill, Santiago would hold been much harder to suppress. Without the leading of the Rough Riders, San Juan Hill may non hold been conquered, and a different consequence may hold come out of the war. Even people such as J.P. Morgan had supported the war, stating that it would assist American Capital. Many other large corporation work forces such as Rockefeller, John Gates, and John Jacob Astor besides supported the war, and told President McKinley how they felt.14 The Spanish-American War is a major point in Amer ican history, which showed how powerful the state is and led to a great twentieth century.

Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte and ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier Essay Example

Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte and ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier Paper The two books I am studying are Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. I will be comparing and contrasting the way Daphne Du Maurier and Charlotte Bronte both create a sense of tension and mystery in Rebecca chapter 7, and Jane Eyre chapter 20. They were written in different times, Jane Eyre in the 1840s of the 19th century and Rebecca in the 1930s of the 20th century. Both books draw many similarities and a story line focusing on one central character throughout, the young female heroine who is unsupported by family or wealth and hold no social position. They are in search of identity and encounter many difficulties as both their characters develop. In Jane Eyre, she becomes a much stronger person towards the end of the book, whereas in Rebecca, the bride seems to lose her identity completely and is continuously haunted by another. They both contain great romantic, but mystic genres, and Jane Eyre in particular an unusual gothic theme. Rebecca focuses on the story of a young shy female who has been taken in by a woman as her companion. She is used to the idea of not having any power or position important to those around her, a role that is submissive and humble. As the book progresses, the romantic theme of the novel arises with an arrival of a widowed man Maxim De Winter, the owner of Manderley. Their relationship begins to develop, and they are soon to be married. After the marriage the unnamed bride is taken to Manderley where Maxim had spent his days with Rebecca, his previous wife. The new bride is expected to fill the role of a strong minded and charming woman that Rebecca was, intelligent and popular. We will write a custom essay sample on Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte and ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte and ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte and ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer However she found this difficult especially with the reaction of those around her, in particular Mrs Danvers. Tension is dawning and Rebeccas influence became mysterious and haunting for those in the mansion. Slowly driving her into a neurotic, nervous state, her search for identity seems to be a failure and the thoughts and shadow of Rebecca still remains. Jane Eyre has quite a different story, but also shares the same status as an orphaned child with no real family or support. She is brought up in the cold charity of her aunt and cousins, who reject her and excludes her from the family. She then decides to go to boarding school where she can get away from her aunt, but there is an unfortunate epidemic that occurs in the school, and causes the death of her only friend. She stays on at the school and becomes a teacher, but later she decides that she wants to leave and proceeds to make an escape and becomes a governess in Thornfield hall for Mr Rochester. Gradually, a relationship develops between them, and she falls into a love affair that is filled with secrets and mystery from Mr Rochester, as in Rebecca with Maxim De Winter. When Jane is living there as Mr Rochesters humble servant, she hears a continual scream that comes from the attic of the house, and becomes curious about the noises. Finally she discovers his secret and she leaves Thornfield Hall, but soon returns to wed Mr Rochester after a disastrous incident that occurs at the hall. There are many themes that are used in both novels, and other themes appear which are effective for each novel in its own. Both contain gothic themes and supernatural elements that develop throughout the book, which adds to the mystery and sense of tension that arises leading up to the two chapters I am studying. This gothic theme produces images that are dark or hidden and effectively draws your attention to the mystery. Rebecca In Rebecca the setting of the novel is first based in Monte-Carlo a vibrant and lively place, and there is a dramatic contrast that is formed from when she had spent her days there with her companion and the time when she reaches Manderley in chapter 7 of the book. From the time where they are driving towards Manderley, Maxim is being suspiciously positive about his return with his new bride and does not seem to be nervous about what to be expecting and how she will cope. She however dreaded the thought at arriving in Manderley, but did not consult him about this. She had thoughts about being unsuitably dressed and was nervous about going to Manderley. Maxim made the place sound so wonderfully amazing and beautiful, but the description the azaleas would be prodigal of scent, and the blood red rhododendrons in bloom and the use of blood red rather than another word starts to create an image that is not so bright and possibly menacing. When he locates Manderley to be in the valley with the scrap of sea beyond, the sea has a strange effect as it seems as though it is never ending, dangerous part of Manderley, as well as it being in the woods a dark and idle area. The way she gripped the seat as they pulled up on the drive and the use of words is effective in gradually building up tension. The two high iron gates creates an image of those you see in a horror film, with the tall gates leading to a large abandoned house, the gates daunting and overpowering you. Another example of this is when there are a great colonnade of trees that made an archway for them above their heads, and there would only be little flickering patches of light that would come through the thickness of the leaves. Her heart was beating quickly and she shrank back in her seat as the children stared at her through the dark windows of the lodge, she is afraid and she had felt tension from the moment they arrived at Manderley. When they had reached the building, the gates shut with a crash behind them and the dusty high road was out of sight. This suggests feelings of entrapment, and the how the road is not to be seen, as if there is no other place to escape now that the gates shut upon them. Manderley was very silent and very still and there was no wind. The sudden stillness of the place as they reach Manderley seems a bit superstitious and fallacious in its atmosphere. The phrase blood red which is used to describe these rhododendrons is repeated many times after this and it is now described as a wall of colour, reaching far above their heads. This wall also gives an idea of being trapped, and a sense that something is overpowering in blood red that is bewildering and even shocking. They were monsters as she described them. All the way towards Manderley, she feels that everything is large and overpowering, possibly making her feel claustrophobic and small. Daphne Du Maurier is very precise in her description and extremely vivid using similes and metaphors to create these images. She writes very precisely with a lot of detail, using words and phrases which evoke the sense of mystery, creating tension. The first time that Mrs Danvers is mentioned, Mrs Danvers orders her name is used with authority. Mrs De Winters first encounter with Mrs Danvers is the point in which you began to feel as scared as her by Mrs Danvers and her striking and hostile character. Her appearance, dark as she advanced from the sea of faces, someone tall and gaunt, dressed in deep black. She had hollow eyes and her face is parchment white, set on a skeletons frame. This is a very detailed description of Mrs Danvers and has a prominent effect on the reader, as she comes across as a very strong and almost sinister character. The way she is described is unpleasant and creates an image of a cold and evil woman, almost resembling a witch like figure. She is deathly cold and she creates a sense of tension towards Mrs De Winter when she first meets her. She forms a sense of discomfort when she is present, and the descriptions of her hollow eyes another repeated phrase, adds to the mystery of this strange character. The author tends to repeat phrases, possibly to place emphasis on these descriptions and they are usually quite dark, for example repeating the words cold and lifeless when referring to Mrs Danvers. More phrases that are used to describe her character that also emphasise her darkness, and mystery, dark and sombre, dull and toneless and harsh. The reader is continually being reminded of these points that focus on the darkness and gothic themes of the novel, this all adds to the mystery of this chapter in particular, where there are many descriptions similar to these. The new bride did not want to go alone, with Mrs Danvers and you sense that she fears her. There is tension arising in the atmosphere due to this continual reference of being alone with her and not knowing where she is being taken. At this point we are made to feel sorry for Mrs De Winter and we also fear for her. Mrs Danvers knows that the new bride is shy and uncomfortable with her, but she persists in making her feel uneasy and insecure. When she tells her that this wing is never used, she makes it seem as though there is a reason why, but doesnt tell her this making her feel uneasy about why she has been put in a room that is often unused. When she asks her about getting a maid, its usual, you know, for ladies in your position to have a personal maid she seems patronising and makes the shy new bride feel insecure as she is expected to be more powerful and not afraid of Mrs Danvers. However when she is talking to Mrs De Winter she is being quite polite and respectful towards her, which contrasts the image that she feels towards Mrs Danvers. This is another aspect that makes their relationship strange as you feel that Mrs Danvers is putting on a facade, when she speaks to her. She is this shadow that watches her, which is also the same word used to describe Rebecca later in the book. She was a character set aside from the rest, and adds a strong sense of mystery and tension later in the book aswell as making such a powerful impact from the moment she in introduced in this chapter. The atmosphere throughout this chapter is usually silent or still, and when she uses these words it emphasises the tension, as though you are building up to an expected climax that is loud and menacing. The room that she is led into when she reaches Manderley has an old and quiet smell and she never describes the house or the rooms to be vibrant, fresh or beautiful. There was always an uncertainty about everything in Manderley. The rooms and the walls were dark or heavy and she compared the room to a silent church where services were seldom held, somewhere that is abandoned or uncared for, where rusty lichens grow and ivy tendrils creep. Already, Manderley is given this deep and mysterious image and atmosphere. Whereas visitors of this mansion conceive it to be beautiful and are amazed by the grandness of Manderley, this draws up a heavy contrast between the way she feels being at Manderley and how it looks to others. The residents of the household are quiet and mysterious, including her husband who did not give clear answers or thoughts and there is always an awkward communication between them, which seemed impersonal and unaffectionate. There is a sense of something that is being hidden, something unspoken. He casually sits in the comfort of his own home, and he did not look at her. There is a difference in their characters, while Maxim was to be described as contented and comfortable, while his new wife is becoming more and more paranoid and insecure about being at Manderley. Rebecca is a constant reminder of her being unwelcome at Manderley, especially by Mrs Danvers and is always being shadowed by her. The pace of the novel speeds up towards the end of chapter 7 when her thoughts are quick and random, she cant seem to control her feelings towards Rebecca and you begin to see her insecurity. She is sitting in Rebeccas chair, leaning against Rebeccas cushion and by now Rebecca had had quite a quick affect on her. We do not know much about Rebecca at all as she remains unspoken by the rest of the household, and no one speaks of her death. There is a strong sense of tension and mystery that evolves around Rebeccas character in the book. Rebecca and Mrs Danvers has made such a strange impact on her, and yet the other members do not see that there is an issue, causing you to think that there must be a deeper meaning to explain this strange behaviour and to explain the way the new Mrs De Winter is feeling. The author concentrates on these two characters and in her writing, uses repeated words and phrases as a constant referral to them. Daphne Du Maurier has managed to create a sinister and mysterious feeling around them and made Mrs De Winter feel insecure and vulnerable, to emphasise their power over her, but does not disclose as much information about their roles in the household and character so that they remain a mystery. Jane Eyre In Jane Eyre, the novel is set in many different places, but mainly in Thornfield Hall which is where she resides in chapter 20. The atmosphere here is quite different from that in Rebecca, as she had been in Thornfield Hall for a long time now, and it was not a matter of coming somewhere new and the uncomforting process of it. The story line in this chapter is focused on the strange events that occur in the house and what Janes feelings are when the situation is confronted. The setting at the beginning of the chapter is during the night and the moon, which was full and bright shone through her window. It was awakening in the dead of the night. This is very visual description and has a particular gothic quality, when she describes it to be silver white and crystal clear in the darkness that is very ghostly, and it was too solemn. The atmosphere from the start is calm and quiet, causing a strange feeling. After the first paragraph, the pace of the chapter seems to suddenly speed up with Good God, what a cry! and this disrupts the stillness instantly. The tension begins to develop from this point. The cry is described to be sharp, a shrilly sound that ran end to end of Thornfield Hall, this suggests something that is loud and menacing. There is a description about Janes feelings as her pulse stopped, her heart stood still, she is paralysed. There are concentrated thoughts here that are quick and sudden. There are the uses of short and sharp sentences that speed up the pace. She continually mentions the cry and describes it as a fearful shriek something that was unpleasant. The origin of the scream is still unknown and it remains unspoken throughout the chapter. This adds to the tension and mystery of not knowing what this thing is. The cries of Help! Help! Help! such suggests that there is panic and there are many exclamation marks used in the beginning. This is the first example of triptych used when the words help are being repeated three times. There are a lot of quick and short exchanges between the people talking, but we still do not know what is happening and there is continual tension building because of this. Someone ran, another step stamped on the floor this shows that we dont know who is running around and who may be involved in what is going on and following on from this is What is it? Who is hurt? What has happened? there are a lot of use of questions and there is uncertainty in the household. The tension is building up as well as the mystery of the unknown. Bronte has tried to release tension in the narrative sense aswell as in the speech. Another reference is made to the moon as she describes the atmosphere to be dark and still, while there is a contrast with the loud voices outside and the screaming. When the question is repeated about what is going on, Colonel Dent replies with its a mere rehearsal of much ado about nothing and is mocking the event so that it distracts you from the mystery surrounding, even though this evokes it further. Later he adds a servant has had the nightmare; that is all which seems curious and causes more questions to be asked. It seems as though he is trying to conceal the truth by saying something so casual as a desperate excuse. He also tries to dissipate the tension by restoring conventionality with gentleman, have the goodness to set the ladies the example. It is very mysterious once it reaches this point and there is a lot of confusion in what is going on. There has been no certain reply to the questions being asked and we are unsure of what has happened. The pace here is very fast and we almost lose our sense of surrounding, the tension in Jane Eyre is built up very quickly from the start rather than gradually. Everything occurs abruptly and we are left with mystery. In Rebecca the tension is slow, but there is less mystery in the chapter. After these series of events, there is more description about the atmosphere now, where no stillness returned and everything had now been disrupted. However, there were still silent grounds and silvered fields and the moon declined. Here Bronte continues using these gothic qualities to create a sense of mystery. Thornfield Hall was again as hushed as a desert it seemed strange that there is this sudden stillness which contrasts the screaming and hysteria previously. There is anticipation as Jane realises that some event must follow the strange cry, struggle and call. This is another example of triptych, and she uses this to emphasise the strange sound heard before. She repeats the words darkness many times throughout the chapter and this is the same technique that Daphne Du Maurier used in Rebecca, repeated phrases and words. The paragraph is calm and mysterious, but soon after there are another series of short exchanges between Jane and Mr Rochester. After a quiet atmosphere has been achieved, Bronte suddenly changes and there is panic and tension again with lots of questions and short sentences. The pace speeds up again and more questions are asked. There is a continuous pattern throughout the chapter where it is quiet in the atmosphere and is reflected to all the events elsewhere. The mystery of everything that is going on, is also being mirrored by the strange night and ghostly images that have been created in the grounds, pathetic fallacy is used. This technique is used to emphasise what is happening in the novel, adding extra effects with the atmosphere. When she comes to help Mr Mason, she describes him to be a a pale, bloody spectacle before her, and she is uncomfortable with the fact that she has to dip here hand again and again in the basin of blood and water. Lots of references to blood, suggesting an attack or horrific accident has been made on Mr Mason and we are still unknown to what it is. This holds the mystery in the chapter creating the tension. Conclusion Both books use various techniques to provoke images and feelings of tension and mystery. Similar techniques that are used in both books are questions and repetition to emphasise the choice of words used which are usually dark or still. They both use a similar choice of words and describe the setting in an overpowering and dangerous way. However Jane Eyre has a gothic theme to it, which the blood, the dark, the strange noises that come from the attic, threatening presence of this creature, which all combine together to create this mystery. The tension in the books are evoked by the mystery, as it continues, more tension about what is going to happen arises. The pace of the chapters in each are not constant, in Rebecca it is the same from the beginning and reaches a climax at the end. In Jane Eyre it is very still and then suddenly the pace speeds up dramatically before slowing down again. There is a constant switching between what is going on, and then back to the description of the surrounding grounds and here feelings in contrast to the confusion. This effectively adds to the mystery, as we are not certain what is going on. I found that in Jane Eyre and Rebecca, they do successfully create both mystery and tension all throughout the book and I have found many ways in which they have done this. However I feel that Daphne Du Maurier created a better sense of this mystery and tension rather than in Jane Eyre which I thought seemed to be more of a drama or horror. In Rebecca there are constant references to certain characters and things are said which are unknown to the reader at the end of the chapter, but in Jane Eyre you are able to work out what is happening even though not a lot has been explained.