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ESL 21A

Essay 1.2

812 words

A symbol, in general, is a sign or object that represents something else. All symbols operate as if they were two-sided coins. On one side are the physical characteristics, and on the other side are meanings, or what the symbols stand for. There are two types of symbol, Metaphor and Metonym. Symbols sign that have no necessary or natural connection to the things they signify, also symbols help people to comprehend abstract ideas such as fear, hope, values, and goals. Symbol's fields are really wide. For example, food, social meanings of space, politics, authority, and more things which concern to our lives now from a log, long time ago.

In some New Guinea societies, eating is a metaphor that is sometimes used to signify marriage. Marriage is symbolized by the couple's eating together for the first time. Eating symbolizes their new status as a married couple. In Japan society, it is just the reverse. A couple may go out to dinner on a first date or an important date.

In a village in northeastern Thailand, space in a house is divided to symbolize not rank, but rules about marriage. The sleeping room is the most sacred part of the house. First cousins, with whom marriage is not permitted, may enter that room but may not sleep there. More distant relatives, whom one may marry, are not allowed to enter the sleeping room and must remain in the guest room. It is really interesting because we do not have such a system.

An entire nation may be represented by an array of symbols. For example, the combat between symbolic animals was used by political cartoonists to portray the conflict between the United States and the former Soviet Union. Individuals in positions of authority are associated with particular objects that become symbols of the office they hold. Sometimes the object is something the officeholder wears, such as a crown, or imperial regalia, which the officeholder alone may put on. Political symbols may seem trivial, but in reality, people will die rather than deny them or give them up. People's identity as members of group is powerfully bound up with such symbols.

During a searching about symbols, I am interested in Indian caste system.{1} According to Wikipedia, it shows, 'According to the ancient Hindu scriptures <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_scripture>, there are four "varnas <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varna_in_Hinduism>." The Bhagavad Gita <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita> says varnas are decided based on Guna <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guna> and Karma <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma>. Manusmriti <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manusmriti> and some other shastras <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shastra> mention four varnas: the Brahmins <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin> (teachers, scholars and priests), the Kshatriyas <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kshatriya> (kings and warriors), the Vaishyas <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishya> (traders), and Shudras <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shudra> (agriculturists, service providers, and some artisan groups). Offspring of different varnas <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varna> belong to different Jâtis. Another group excluded from the main society was called Parjanya or Antyaja. This group of former "untouchables" (now called Dalits <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalit>) was considered either the lower section of Shudras or outside the caste system altogether. ' We have a similar one about 400 years ago in Japan, but in India, the caste system still exists. I am amazed because it was established about thousands years ago, then I am surprised that the effect of symbols may control people's mind. Now, the caste system became more relaxing one, but some rules are still there.

Some symbols can manipulate peopleGood! to a good way and a bad way such as smoking, drinking, music, and etc. Smoking is bad that is common sense today.{2} In the past, it did not mention about health. However, smoking is really serious problem for society, every non-smokers said. This problem is really inconvenient for smokers who have good manners of smoking. I do not understand. Why are we hated by non-smokers? I have never smoked in a public place, but someone complains me about smoking sometimes. Where can I smoke? I think that the reason is health. In the past, we do not have any fast-food. At that time, people do not say anything about smoking, but now, our health problem is getting more increase than before. Smoking is one of a problem of health, I can understand, but eating habits are the most serious problem. You have to say, ''Do not eat fast food.'' Instead of, ''Do not smoke.'' I think that drinking is more dangerous than smoking because people can be changed their character by alcohols. How do you think? By the way, smoking and drinking both are bad for health, so we have to make a collect decision when we smoke or drink alcohol.

Therefore, symbols have two faces???. These can be good and bad for people who live in the world. We must identify how they work and how they affect us. Moreover, we have to see things differently. If I see a thing straightlyAwkward, I would not see a different side. It is important things of our lives, so I start trying to be able to see things differently from I read about symbols from our text book.