Greek and Norse Mythology Essay Example for Free

Greek and Norse Mythology Essay Greek mythology and Roman mythology are almost identical. This is an accepted fact, as it is widely known that the Romans stole the Greek myths. However, it is very interesting to note that the mythology of the Vikings (Norse) has many similarities with the Greek myths. These myths are, by no means, identical to the Greek ones (like the Roman ones are), but there are very distinct commonalities between the two. I see two possible reasons for this besides pure coincidence. The first has to do with the fact that Norse myths were codified during the Viking era: 780 1070. This gives the Norsemen many centuries to become exposed to the Greek (or Roman) myths. The Vikings did travel as far east as the Caspian sea, which is further east than both Italy and Greece. The Norse myths were fashioned after the fall of the Roman empire. During the expansion of the Roman empire, the Romans were able to get all the way to Britain, which is farther west than the Scandinavian countries where these myths originated. The Vikings made many expeditions into Britain. So it is a very realistic thought that the Vikings could have been exposed to the stories of the Greek and Roman gods. It is also possible that the Vikings could have extrapolated parts of the Roman stories into their own. The only two existing primary sources of Norse mythology are the Prose (Elder) Edda, and the Poetic (Younger) Edda. These were written about one thousand to eight hundred years ago respectively. The second factor has to do with mythology as an extension of the society that fashions it. I see mythology as an attempt by a people to explain the powerful forces which affect and shape it, that are beyond its control, such as weather, the elements, and nature. I also see gods as being characters that have many similarities with the people within the society. The gods and goddesses are powerful beings capable of super-human powers, but nevertheless are characters fraught with very human frailties and flaws. In this way they created gods that had similarities with the common man in the society. This made the gods more tangible and easier to identify with. I think that this was necessary because they were not yet at the societal maturity level to have a single god on a cosmic plane. Most of the comparisons will be examining the similarities between major Greek and Norse gods, as well as creatures, stories and specific symbols which are featured in the mythologies.

Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing? Essay -- Essays P

Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing? Introduction With the commercial advent of the Internet and cell phones in the late 1990’s, technologies such as instant messaging (IM) and text messaging (TM) have achieved increasing prevalence in our society. These types of messaging technologies are widely used among adolescents today. To cite just one personal example of this widespread usage, my friend’s daughter, who is now 11 and lives in Ireland, got a cell phone last year, and, according to my friend, â€Å"was the last person in her class to get one.† This is quite an amazing change, given that ten years ago, instant messaging and text messaging were in their infancy, and cell phones were only readily available as tools for roadside assistance. Given the newness of these types of technologies, it is only in the last few years that educators have started to notice them and explore their effects on student behavior and performance. While there is supporting evidence to suggest that these technologies have a large influence on the social development of adolescents, an even more pertinent issue for classroom teachers is what effects these technologies have on the academic development of young people. In this article, I examine how students’ use of text messaging technology, specifically IM, affects their writing skills. How does IM use affect students’ interest in traditional writing (as learned in school)? In what ways does IM usage affect students’ writing ability? How does â€Å"IM-speak† change students’ views of what is considered â€Å"proper† language? How can classroom teachers build on student use of this increasingly popular technology? In this paper I provide a discussion of the current issues and current teacher pra... ...lts. If students understand where and when it is appropriate to use certain types of language, then allowing them to use IM-speak can be beneficial in building student-teacher relationships, in enhancing students’ comfort level in school settings, and in improving academic performance. IM lingo is evidence of the evolution of language, and as Brown-Owens, Eason, and Lader (2003) point out, teachers need to realize that – for better or for worse – IM is widely used among many adolescents and is consequently a strong influence on student academic performance. For who knows? Given its roots in other languages, sometime soon we may even be teaching IM-speak as a legitimate form of language. Works Cited: Connor, Amanda. "Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing?" From http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/literacy/oconnor.htm. Access Date: April, 2005

In the bed department by Anne Enright Essay

Anne Enright is a modern Irish writer who vividly portrays destiny of women and their life troubles. In the short story â€Å"In the Bed Department† Anne Enright creates a bright character of a modern woman depicting her grievances and life hopes. Thesis The short story portrays the role of fate and destiny in the life of an ordinary woman, her expectations, loosing hopes and life struggle. The story is related to life and struggle, portraying a woman who has survived the illusions that marriage and motherhood would provide lifelong companionship and identity, and who has come to recognize the existential solitude of all human beings. The main character of the short story, Kitty, is a middle age woman. Anne Enright portrays the development of the character through life chances and grievances faced by Kitty. Her husband had left her and â€Å"the judge avoided him the house† (Enright). She was depressed and her sons did everything possible to look after her, and then â€Å"they had made their way here, to outer suburbs and a decent life† (Enright). Through minor characters, the author shows that life chances and fate has a great impact on human happiness and social status. Her sons, a mother, a stranger who calls, Dublin men and a lover are aliens who cannot understand and support Kitty. For instance, the character of Tom symbolizes the last chance for her to be happy and loved. Although, â€Å"They [her sons] did not expect their mother to seduce old geezers in the front mom, and neither did the geezer (Enright). Desperation and depression are the main themes prevailing in the short story. Events and life experience is described through woman eyes which adds tension and emotional coloring to the story. A specific point of view helps readers to understand grievances and low status of women in modern society. The point of view shapes readers response forcing them to sympathize with Kitty. A point of view helps readers to feel that that the woman is suppressed by life grievances and lack of money. The tone of the short story reflects personal peculiarities and worldview of many women who cannot go beyond low social status and class. The story is full of symbols which help readers to understand the hardship and the role of fate in our life. For instance, a baby can be interpreted as a hope, new life and expectations: â€Å"At first she thought it was the change of life† (Enright). The main symbols of fate and loosing hopes are: number ‘thirteen’ and miscarriage. Using these symbols, Enright forces readers to rethink and reevaluate the role of life chances and misfortune an ordinary woman cannot resist. The surface of her story is limpidly clear and beguilingly placid, but her use of it is to enforce by close logic an impossible and often very shocking proposition driven with distinct and startling imagery (Fabb 2002). The setting of ‘a bed department’ can be compared with life of a human: â€Å"Nothing happened in the Bed Department. People bought a bed, or they did not buy a bed† (Enright). This setting depicts the gap between expected, traditional, usual things and reality people (readers) try to escape. Using this literary device, Enright shows that readers perception of the world is limited by traditions and values imposed by their society. â€Å"A bed† is a contextual symbol (Fabb 2002) which means family life and great expectations, hopes and life changes for the good: â€Å"Most people buying a bed were in love† (Enright). ‘Escalators’ is the main setting of the story which symbolizes ups and downs of Kitty’s life. This symbol represents destiny of an ordinary person: â€Å"The up escalator always mounting itself stir over stair; the down escalator falling like syrup, burying itself slowly in the flatness of the floor† (Enright). They can be interpreted as a life chance of every character that marks the significance of the events. Enright pays a special attention to the settings in the story which unveil inner psychological state of the characters, follow plot development and conflict resolution, and help the readers grasp the idea of loneliness and solitude (Cusk, 2004). The use of stylistic devices and expressive means supports vivid imagination and colorful visional representation of the story. Metaphors and similes help the author to appeal to readers’ imagination and feelings. The author uses such similes as â€Å"like a film†, â€Å"falling like syrup†, like â€Å"tombstones in a giant graveyard† to shape the atmosphere and underline important of all events and things depicted in the short story. In sum, Enright portrays that an ordinary woman is a passive victim of life circumstances and fate. Imagination is the main technique used by Enright to unveil the main message and support plot development. There are no lengthy descriptions in this story, but symbolic representation is aimed to appeal to imagination of readers and force them to create a picture of modern existence. Enright depicts that in our ordered and organized world one feels sometimes the need of a change, but she is weak and helpless to change her life suppressed by life circumstances and losing hopes. Works Cited Page Cusk, R. Mum’s the Word: The World Has Many Mothers but Little Sense of What It Might Be to Become One, Thanks to a Dearth of Serious Writing on the Subject. Rachel Cusk on a Sphere of Female Silence and Servitude. New Statesman, Vol. 133, August 23, 2004, p. 34. Enright, A. In the Bed Department. Fabb, N. Language and Literary Structure: The Linguistic Analysis of Form in Verse and Narrative. Cambridge University Press, 2002.

The Life and Works of Ludwig van Beethoven Essay - 657 Words

Ludwig van Beethoven has had a huge impact on musical events. He began his works in the classical era; this era lasted from about 1750 to around the 1800. His musical career started when he was very young, he spent many years studying with Hayden Vienna where he spent the rest of his life. Beethoven is widely known for his nine symphonies and the creativity each one brought. Through this essay we will learn many things about Beethoven and his works. A symphony for starters is a musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements where at least one is in sonata form. A sonata is also a composition in several movements from one to eight instruments but a sonata form is a form of a single movement. Beethovens symphonies have†¦show more content†¦Beethoven struggled coming up with ideas for his works which is why in his previous symphonies he gained a lot of knowledge from Hayden and Mozart. (Charlton 2007). Beethoven wrote many more works in sonata form than Hay den and Mozart, he makes his works more powerful and more dramatic. (Charlton 2007). Examples of this are that â€Å"Includes a powerful crescendo that leads to a climatic return of the first theme at the start of the recapitulation† (Charlton 152). As you can see there are many differences they have among these composers. Beethoven’s earlier symphonies were written around 1802. Most of his earlier works were mainly influenced on Hayden and Mozart. You can see through his first symphony how much Mozart and Hayden are really exposed and how they helped Beethoven create his works. His fifth symphony is more in the middle period but this shows his symphonies becoming stronger and longer. This is when he begins to put more work into them, creating ideas and not using them until they are perfect. His fifth symphony is a â€Å"Rhythmic motive that has three short notes followed by one ling note† (Charlton 152). During Beethovens later works he soon realized that he wa s going deaf. He realized this more in the middle period when the height of his career was really taking off. He worked harder and harder to succeed and that’s what he showed through his ninth symphony. His ninth symphony the Missa Solemnis, was completed in 1824. Although this was not his mostShow MoreRelatedThe Life And Works Of Ludwig Van Beethoven1016 Words   |  5 PagesThe Life and Works of Ludwig van Beethoven What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven (Beethoven, Favorite Classical Composers). This quote by Ludwig van Beethoven shows just how confident of a composer he was. When people to day think of Beethoven they may think of some of his famous works such as Missa solemnis, his Ninth Symphony, or his Pastoral Symphony. Other people may see Beethoven as a deafRead MoreLudwig Van Beethoven, One of the Greatest Composers of the Roomantic Period1099 Words   |  4 PagesThe Life of Ludwig van Beethoven Multitudes of music books recount the life of Ludwig van Beethoven and his contributions to music. There are many different texts that provide hard evidence that he was an individual who went on to become one of the best-known composers of all times. The early life of music saw many composers try to succeed with writing and publishing music. However, Ludwig van Beethoven emerged to become a crucial figure during the transition from Classical to Romantic erasRead MoreThe Classical Romantic And Modern Era1058 Words   |  5 PagesLudwig Van Beethoven was German Composer Pianist I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I have in my heart must out; that is the reason why I compose Ludwig Van Beethoven piano compositions were published at the age of thirteen. He took a simple ideas creates his worksRead MoreThe Revelation Of Beethovens Childhood1617 Words   |  7 PagesLife as it was for Beethoven had many varying elements, and this research paper will be revealing a lot of what he went through as a young boy all the way to the end of his life and career as the world renowned Ludwig van Beethoven. The basis for this paper is to express and expound on the life and career of Beethoven, and why he was seen as part of the pivotal transition between the Classical and Romantic eras. The topics that will be discussed will be the revelation of Beethoven’s childhood andRead MoreEssay on Ludwig Van Beethoven1148 Words   |  5 Pagesthe people on it as a whole, you see that there are very few influential people whose actions or opinions strongly influence the course of events. Ludwig Van Beethoven, a German musician, is one of those very few. He was an extraordinary musician that lived through hardship and had the horrific fate of deafness, any m usician’s worst nightmare. Beethoven left a wall standing in history that captured the art of sounds and worked it beyond imagination into music so fragile and pure yet onerous, unableRead MoreComposer Report: Ludwig Van Beethoven Essay1359 Words   |  6 PagesComposer report: Ludwig van Beethoven On 17 December 1770, Ludwig van Beethoven was born. He was an amazing and great classical musical composer. He is known for being the most famous composer of the classical and romantic periods of music. According to the â€Å"Enjoyment of Music† manual, Beethoven was born in Bohn, Germany. His father, with his grandfather, was the two singers at the court of a local prince, Friedrich Max. (Forney and Machlis 197). Beethoven began to take an interest in music fromRead MoreA Short Research Paper On Ludwig Van Beethoven1269 Words   |  6 PagesA Short Research Paper on LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN MUS 1030 Walters State Community College Robbie Poteete, Instructor NIC NIX APRIL 22, 2016 Although there have been many famous composers over the years, probably none are as well-known as Ludwig van Beethoven. Regardless of one’s particular preference of musical style, almost everyone can quickly recognize Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata, Ode to Joy, or Symphony 5. Beethoven â€Å"was born during the age of the Enlightenment, came to maturity duringRead MoreMusic Compare and Contrast1570 Words   |  7 Pageshave it easy. Neither did Ludwig van Beethoven who grew to be one of the most successful composers of all time. Taking in the world and challenges around them, both of these artists overcame many obstacles to become what they are known for. Their fans have followed and have been inspired by them. The band Thirty Seconds to Mars and Ludwig van Beethoven came from two different eras and have rough times in their youth but overcame to succeed in the music world. â€Å"[Ludwig] Beethoven’s father, JohannRead More Ludwig Van Beethoven Essay1285 Words   |  6 Pages German composer and pianist, Ludwig van Beethoven, was born December 1770 and spent most of his life in Vienna, Austria. His first teacher was his alcoholic father, who worked as a musician at the Court of Bonn. Teaching him day and night, Ludwig suffered from his fathers harsh and erratic behavior. For a time, he and his father played at the Church. As his fathers alcoholism increased, Ludwig became the main musician. Beethovens talents were discovered at an early age, and he was sentRead MoreThe Music Of Ludwig Van Beethoven1600 Words   |  7 PagesLudwig van Beethoven is known for much of his musical accomplishments. One of his most famous is that he is deaf and yet one of the best musical composers of the classical and romanic area. Beethoven has always been one of my personal favorite composers. When I grew up and started taking piano, Beethoven s Fur Elise was my first large classical piece. Ever since that point on I insisted that when we were in Germany we see his home, and that we did. In this essay I will be explaining Ludwigs Youth

Case Study Contingency Behavior Decision Making

Weekly paper 7: Contingency-behavior: Decision Making: Viren Kheni Decision-making is the study of identifying and choosing alternatives based on the values and preferences of the decision maker. Making a decision implies that there are alternative choices to be considered, and in such a case we want not only to identify as many of these alternatives as possible but to choose the one that best fits with our goals, objectives, desires, values, and so on. *(Harris (1980)) In the last session we discussed about traits as a contingency approach to a leadership. We are going to discuss about behavioral study as a contingency approach to leadership. We will be covering several theories under behavioral approach. In this paper it’s all about normative decision-making process, tools for effective decision-making, six thinking hats and its purpose. Simply the decision making process defined as the thought process of selecting a logical choice from the available options. When trying to make a good decision, a person must weight the positives and negati ves of each option, and consider all the alternatives. For effective decision-making, a person must be able to forecast the outcome of each option as well, and based on all these items, determine which option is the best for that particular situation. Its usual task that everyone does in his/her routine life. I would definitely agree with you when you say decision-making process is frustrating sometimes. I can give you the best exampleShow MoreRelatedChief Kobys Management Style1551 Words   |  7 Pagessolving (Hess Orthmann, 2012). This case study will briefly explore the concepts of the contingency theory, and how it could have been applied to Chief Koby’s management style. The chief’s leadership and management style has greatly affected his organization as a whole. It is also noted that he was severely criticized for mishandling the controversial murder case of Jonbenet Ramsey, along with two other high profile incidents which will be discussed in this case study (Haberfeld, 2013). Analysis TomRead MoreOrganizational Behavior : Human Relations Approach1322 Words   |  6 PagesOrganizational behavior basically connotes the study of the thinking of people, their actions and how they feel in an organizational setting (Milner, 2006). Some of the main approaches or perspectives that have been applied in organizational behavior include the human relations approach, scientific management, and the contingency approach. In adopting a contingency approach, managers or leaders in an organization appreciate the complex nature of organizational behavior in the particular organizationRead MoreWhat Is Organizational Behavior?1458 Words   |  6 PagesOrganizational Behavior - a systematic study of a person’s behavior. Several issues of interest to organizational behavior researchers: Motivation, Emotions, Personality and Communication. (Self Assessment Library? IV.G.1) Interpersonal Skills: A. Importance of Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace. Previously, Business School focused on technical aspects of management, inc: econ, accounting, finance, etc. Human Behavior and People skills was barely covered. Last 30 years thoughRead MoreLeadership As A Leader Is A Person Or Thing Who Leads1723 Words   |  7 Pagesmeaning there are many sports leaders in this world. The main leader in sports is the coach. This applies to any coach. All coaches must have the ability to lead their player or team to the next level. The coach is not the only leader and in some cases not the most important leader. Other leaders in sports include team captains, team mates, strength and conditioning coaches, owners, general managers, sports agents, directors of player personnel, athletic trainers, position coaches, officials, unionRead MoreFollower Readiness as It Relates to Situational Leadership Model1593 Words   |  7 Pagesleadership is a contingency model that focuses on the followers. The model suggests that successful leadership is accompli shed by selecting the right leadership style, based on the level of followers readiness. Emphasis on the followers in leadership effectiveness reflects the reality that it is the followers who accept or reject the leader. Regardless of what the leader does, effectiveness depends on the actions of his or her followers. Fred Fiedler, developed the Leadership Contingency Model; and,Read MoreLeadership Is Not A New Topic970 Words   |  4 Pagesinterpersonal skills. While ideal executives possess the perfect blend of leadership and personality, they are not required traits to change failing enterprises to successful ones. This is the case with Robert Nardelli and his time at Home Depot. An analysis of the Robert Nardelli leadership traits, behaviors and adaptability to current situations played a key factor in Home Depot’s success. Trait Theory No two executives are alike. While many will share styles, each have their own unique set ofRead MoreMarketing Ethics Essay1393 Words   |  6 PagesEthics Assignment This case study analyzes the experiences of Courtland Kelley at General Motors (GM). Courtland Kelley a third generation GM worker put his job on the line by pushing the GM managers and executives to fully respond to the safety issues found while working as a safety inspector at the company. Kelley along with his supervisor Bill McAleer first discovered the issues while auditing GM cars at rail yards across the country, a spot check of vehicles before the cars were cleared toRead MoreEssay on Whose Turn Is It to Polish Apple1627 Words   |  7 PagesCASE 3: Whose Turn Is It To Polish The Apple? GROUP 2 - CASE 3 Whose Turn Is It To Polish The Apple? Page 2 of 5 I. Synthesis Locked in an inward looking, closed culture that was proven effective for quite some time, Apple operated in a double agent corporate environment that eventually turned catastrophic to the organization. The founders, Steven Jobs and Stephen Wozniak, relied on their guiding principles: â€Å"Do your own thing, defy the pessimists and ignore the Establishment.† Such customRead MoreThe Gift of Leadership1419 Words   |  6 Pagesthe people they serve. The followers are committed to something which is not of his interest. In some cases effective leaders and effective followers may be the same person, playing different roles at the different places. Theories: Brief explanation of the theories: Contingency theory: Contingency theory focuses on which leadership style is best suited for the situation. According to contingency theory, no leadership style is best for all situations. It depends on the qualities of followers and aspectsRead More Leadership2351 Words   |  10 PagesLeadership is results in followers’ behavior that is goal-directed in some sort of organized setting. In brief, leadership is a process by a person influences others toward the attainment of group or organizational goals. Like the words said by Keith (2003):† Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen†. The development of leadership studies has three phases: trait theory, behavior theory and contingency theory. According to Robbins

Blindness By Jose Saramago s Blindness - 1646 Words

Extensionalism that is Presented in Blindness by Josà © Saramago A person is not just characterized by those particular circumstances that they find themselves in, but by how they respond to those moments. The phenomenal novel, Blindness, written by Jose Saramago, showcases the storyline of a country that encounters a widespread disease that leads to several people catching a type of blindness where they can only see white. The unfortunate people who have received the terribly contagious disease spreading around are to be isolated in an abandoned mental hospital to avoid the spreading of the blindness. Existentialism is the philosophy that one can be influenced tremendously from the external factors surrounding them. This is portrayed†¦show more content†¦She replied by saying, â€Å"My affection†¦ I m remaining to help you and the other people who may come here, however don t reveal to them I can see† (Saramago, 40). This quote proves that she is a very nice an d kind person who is always there for the people she loves and cares about. She would take the possibility of catching a disease where one can only see white in order to remain with her husband who is ill. By staying with her husband while he is in desperate need of help, she proves that she is one of the kindest characters in the novel. However, as the book progresses, her trait of kindness quickly fades away after experiencing an atrocious situation. A group of people, formed in the hospital, were collecting all the food from the patients, and the only way the people had a chance of retrieving it was by making the women have intercourse with the men of the group. When the doctor’s wife was forced to have intercourse, she was traumatized, and knew that she needed to find a way to end the catastrophe. In order to do this, she decided to kill the leader of the group, and stabbed him in the throat with a pair of scissors. The author describes the wife at that moment by writing, â€Å"she had blood on her hands and clothes†¦but she knew that if it were necessary, she would kill again† (Saramago, 192). This quote shows the readers how much the wife has changed because of one event that occurred. She went fromShow MoreRelatedCritique Of Blindness In Jose Saramagos Blindness1387 Words   |  6 Pages Critique of Blindness Human nature is defined by emotional expression, the desire to learn, individuality, and freedom of will. It enables people to make decisions on how they will conduct their daily interactions and, therefore, dictates how society will be run. Josà © Saramago’s novel, Blindness, tells the grim tale of a society devastated by a blindness epidemic known as the â€Å"white evil.† Without their sight, people are no longer able to act in a civilized manner and become aggressive towardsRead MorePlot and Literary Style Must Interact in an Effective Way838 Words   |  4 Pagestrying to communicate in the piece. Both â€Å"Blindness† by Josà © Saramago and â€Å"The New York Trilogy† by Paul Auster are novels in which the literary style used enhances the plot of the story. Similarly, the storyline justifies the reasons behind the use of that author’s particular style. Saramago’s style of writing reinforces the plot because it represents and explains the events and psychological struggles endured by each individual in the novel. In Blindness, the narrator does not reveal the characters’Read MorePhilip Zimbardo’S Famous Quote Was Inspired From His Stanford1861 Words   |  8 Pageswho live there and they must continue with it as it is tradition although many would like to get rid of it. The last piece which won a nobel prize written in 1995 called â€Å"Blindness† originally written in portuguese by Jose Saramago. The story is about a sudden blindness that strikes the city and becomes epidemic and the blindness is actually white not black. The two pieces of literature along with Zimbardo’s Stanford experiment help support the argument that humans will activate their animalistic

Boyhood Movie Sound and Imagery Essay Example For Students

Boyhood Movie Sound and Imagery Essay Boyhood, is a unique movie. At first it does not seem like such an original plot. However, what makes it so unique is that it was filmed over the span of 12 years, with the same cast. Directed by Richard Linklater, Boyhood, is about a 6 year old boy named Mason, growing up and coming of age with his family. The audience has the chance to see Mason grow up to age 18. In the years in between, the audience has the chance to experience the good, the bad, and the heartbreak through Masons eyes. The patience of the director isnt the only impressive part; the cinematography and sound equally contribute to the effect of the film. People say sound and acting is what makes a movie, and sound is especially important in this movie. While Mason is younger, more hard rock and playful songs play to attribute to his youth. For example, 2 minutes into the film, Mason goes out to graffiti an underpass with his friend. As theyre riding out to the overpass, hard rock plays to accompany the nostalgic feeling of being a rambunctious child doing mischievous things. The music played in any movie, tries to give the audience the feeling of being in a similar situation. Another example is when Mason, his mother, and sister move to Houston, Texas. Were shown them driving in the car with all of their belongings as the sun goes down, and Mason and his sister squabble over space. At that moment Sheryl Crows song, Soak Up The Sun, plays, and could potentially tell the viewers that things will get better for their move. If any other song were playing, it might make it seem like their mother had a terrible agenda for the family. Background music is a conveyer of feelings, but unfiltered sung music counts too. As Mason grew older, a scene with his family singing together on the porch, has an impact. The summer night gives a feeling of being together, with the people you love, and just being able to spend relaxed time with them. Boyhood, isnt a silent film, and music is not the only sound. The voices and tones of the characters translates a lot to the audience as well. The characters emotional responses tell the viewers how to feel. Without the emotions of the cast, audiences wouldnt be able to deduce that the first stepfather is an overly controlling man. The tones of his voice are condescending and rude to Masons mom. Later, we find that he is an alcoholic, and physically abusive. One day, when Mason comes home, he find his mom on the garage floor. His mother sounds panicked, and tells him that shes okay, but he should go inside. Later, during dinner, the stepfather becomes destructive and chucks cups at his kids. The viewers would have no idea whats going on without the dialogue. Viewers would most likely think that she fell as she said. In Boyhood, there are many scenes with spoken language and music, but there were also many with just ambient noise with actions on screen. In such a dramatic movie, there are many silent scenes used to break news, or to become the central focus of a dramatic scene. For instance, an older Mason is driving with his biological father to the grandparents house, to celebrate Masons 15th birthday. His father speaks of the old car he owned, and eventually sold. Mason becomes upset and both become silent, since his father had promised that car to him when he was younger. Silences can be used as a transitional effect as well. As they pulled up to Masons grandparents cabin, the camera shows the elderly couple with their dog, smiling and waving happily. There is no sound at all. This scene emphasizes the visual effects of what the audience is seeing. Boyhood, is a movie that is full of small impressions made by sound and visual effects. Through this films sound and visuals, it allows audiences to get feel the emotions that the characters are experiencing.