Author: Luciana

PR Romeo and Juliet

This story is definitely one of my all time favorite love stories. I know the story by heart, and I have seen all the movies and read almost everything there is about this. The tragedy and endless love that is portrayed in this story, is truly inspiring and beautiful, while also being completely heartbreaking. I do believe that Romeo and Juliets fatal flaws are their impulsiveness. They are both impulsive in their pursuit of love, despite knowing their familial feuds. Which ultimately leads to their tragic ending.

However, as much as I love this story, it’s imposible to ignore how we do not live in a sparkly bubble, on the contrary, there is in fact a reality that there is to face. Romeo and Juliet are two young lovers, (emphasize on the young part). I do know that in that time and age it was normal for people to make such a commitment at that early age. Yet, I cannot seem to shake the fact that they are completely clueless and reckless, and most importantly immature. I think that this love is electric and intense, but it might be foolish. Both of them are nowhere near prepared to navigate life and the complexities of such a life long commitment. Additionally, following the recklessness of their spontaneous decisions that they are going to make,  could create an unstable and uncertain future.

Overall, as many challenges and uncertainties that this story raises, I can’t help it but still love this story. It makes me feel even inspired for the pursuit of love, and gives me the thought and hopefulness that real love could be out there. So, my response to this iconic gut-wrenching love is that it’s the way it has to be.

PW# 7 Let It Happen

Let It Happen is a song by Tame Impala, and written by Kevin Parker in the year 2015.  Since the first time that I listened to this song, I knew it was out of this universe. As you listen to the song, it’s like it takes you on an astounding journey. This seven minute song (nearly eight minutes) has an extremely powerful melody and lyrics. However, most importantly, it has become my life moto. It’s all about letting go, and letting this happen (quite obvious by the title). I am a strong believer in the saying “everything happens for a reason”, and I think this song talks about just that. In an interview with Under the Radar, Parker said “finding yourself always in this world of chaos and all this stuff going on around you and always shutting it out because you don’t want to be part of it. But at some point, you realize it takes more energy to shut it out than it does to let it happen and be a part of ‘it’.” This song completely encapsulates the mindset that I want to have in the future, and it made me realize that it really isn’t that serious, and you have to let things go and move on with in order to live life.

 

IRJE #6 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, tells the tale of an Old Hollywood iconic Actress, who, at age 79 gives a final interview about her life to a promising new writer, Monique Grant.

“When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that.”

This quote takes place in Chapter 4, during a conversation in which Monique says that she’s not a biographer and Evelyn tells her the story of how she got to Hollywood by seducing Ernie Diaz. The quote encapsulates Evelyn’s life philosophy, which has driven her both to the heights of stardom and the depths of heartbreak. Throughout most of our main characters life, Evelyn has risen up to fortune and fame with this very mindset. We can see that she is not afraid to squash anyone (literally and figuratively speaking), in order to get what she wants. Like for example, when she framed Moniques father for the car crash in order to protect her dear friend Harry. Evelyn’s advice can be used by the reader to understand nearly every decision Evelyn makes is for her career and family.

PW #6 Black Swan

On the surface, Black Swan can seem like a drama about the cutthroat world of ballet. However, to reduce it to such simple terms would be doing the film a great injustice. The phycological horror film a fantastic crafting character-based tension and dread, with each scene building up as captivating as it is horrifying. The main character Nina wanted to prove she could play the Black Swan and White Swan equally, and she pushed herself to the limit of sanity to prove she was right for the role. This showing how ballerinas have to live to the impossible expectations set for them to be perfect. Throughout the film her mental state worsens and she begins to have hallucinations. At the end of this gut wrenching film, her last words after giving everything at her performance were, “I felt it. Perfect. I was perfect.” This is a truly beautiful finale as it makes us reflect on how perfection comes at a great cost, in this case being Ninas state of mind and life. This film also paralleled the story of Swan Lake through the characters and the plot of the story. Nina starts as the White Swan, pure, innocent and naive. Throughout the movie, however, we see a different side of her, both literally and figuratively, as at times there are literally two Ninas there at once. Her strive for perfectionism aligns with the Black Swan, assertive, seductive, determined. By the end of the movie, Nina fully embodies the black Swan, as she ultimately kills the white swan inside of her, and is perfect.

Brave New World (Luciana)

In this novel by Aldous Huxley, we are submerged to a futuristic society called the World State. This revolves around science, pleasure and efficiency. While reading this novel, something that I found very interesting was the constant theme of happiness. Throughout this novel we can see how the stability of society is dependent on the happiness of the people. For Mustapha Mond, a Controller, happiness is one of his top priorities. Therefore if there is unhappiness, the system would come to a crash. They achieve this by doing three things that are crucial. First, physiological conditioning. Meaning that people are made to be suited to their jobs and not aim for anything else than what they are given. Second, through the promotion of sex and the termination of families and relationships, ensuring that no one will ever face unreciprocated emotions. Third, whatever minor inconvenience can be solved by just taking some Soma, which is a drug that makes everything go away. These three methods are widely successful in the World State. Everything seems fine and everyone is more importantly, happy. However, I still can’t shake the question, at what cost does this happiness come? This is something that is explored throughout the story, and we can see how it greatly affects society as we see that not everyone is exactly happy.

IRJE #5 Brave New World Luciana

In Aldous Huxley Brave New World, we are submerged to a futuristic society called the World State. This revolves around science and efficiency. The director is giving a tour, and Henry is explaining the process of heat conditioning for embryos that are destined to become steel workers and miners in the tropics.

 

“And that”, put the director sententiously ,”that is the secret of happiness and virtue-liking what you’ve got to do. All conditioning aims at that: making people like their unescapable social destiny”. (pg.12)

According to the Director and to the principles of Fordist society, happiness is conditioned acceptance of your circumstances. However, he fails to mention the fact that each persons “unescapable social destiny” is chosen by an authority figure. This quote can help us understand that at the end of the day his world view discounts the possibility of human choice.

PW#5 About time

This is a film about a boy navigating through life, until he finds out that he can travel through time. What a marvelous thing to have right? Or so we thought. This ability consists of going back through time, wherever or whenever he wants, except there is catch, what you do can alter the future. Allegedly this sounds great. For example, you had a bad grade? You can go back and modify it. You said something foolish? You can go back and say something different. You have any regrets? You can change it. Even living a moment again. How great is that? Yet this becomes troubling for our main character, as he realizes the secret in life. Well truly, as this movie is quite literally about time, it’s all about enjoying life fleeting moments. So, the secret is actually living life. Every single moment, good or bad, and enjoying every second as it passes, seeing the beauty in it.  This teaches our main characters perspective in life, as he learns that in reality it’s not about what happens, but how you approach it. At the end of the day, you are the one living your life, no one else, wich leaves it entirely up to you how you live it. For me, this was more than a movie, but a life lesson, reminding me how to live my life. For weeks I charged myself with paying attention to details, always finding great moments with my day. It changed everything for me, and for that I am truly grateful, so now I try to enjoy my life and live it to the fullest.