Up From Below

A note from Yours Truly: This is a visual rhetorical analysis I wrote on one of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. With a visual rhetorical analysis, you are to analyze the meaning and purpose of an image, video, painting, or any type of visual rhetoric. Mr. Bonfiglio had us analyze our favorite album, which was awesome since I'm such a music junkie. So here it goes! Up From Below!

If a music listener cued up some Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, lay on their bed, and closed their eyes, they might believe they had been transported back to a time when free love, peace, drugs, and rock 'n' roll were prevalent. The band of 10 or more is, for lack of a better term, a modern day hippie commune. All of the members live together in Los Angeles and make music that sounds like Motown meets the Beatles in their psychedelic days. In a world where mindless lyrics and simple melodies dominate the music scene, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros is transcendent. The album artwork on their debut album, Up From Below, seems to reflect all of this as well as some deeper meaning that might originate from Alexander Ebert's dark past.

Prior to Up From Below, Alexander Ebert was in a noise-pop band called Ima Robot. During that time, he struggled with drug addiction and anger. After checking himself into rehab and dealing with his toxic emotions, he was able to find peace in writing. He wrote about a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe around whom he began to model and reinvent himself. Now, Alex's fans affectionately refer to him as Edward Sharpe due to his astounding optimism and spirituality.

Up From Below was Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros debut album in 2009, two years after Alexander Ebert met Jade Castrinos outside a Los Angeles cafe. Alex and Jade quickly became best friends, the loves of each other's lives, and a song-writing duo. The lovers' hit duet, "Home", from Up From Below tells the story of their romance, boasting catchy lyrics such as, "Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my Ma and Pa/Not the way I do love you," and, "Home is wherever I'm with you." Toward the end of the song, the couple even uses spoken word to, together, tell the tale of the night they fell for each other - and Jade fell out of Alexander's window.

Having a brief knowledge of the band's history helps the music listener to gain a fuller understanding of the meaning behind the album artwork. The first thing the listener probably notices about the artwork is the group of people jumping up into the air with joined hands at what appears to be sunset in the desert. Though it is not known from simply viewing the album artwork, the listener likely infers that this shadowed group of people is the band. Though the posture of each individual is different, the listeners eyes see the band as a whole at first glance instead of focusing on each individual. The colors in the image are the golden tint that the sunset has turned the desert, the red and blue glare of the sun through the camera lens, and the black and shadowed figures of the band members. The bold, black font is playful and mismatched, which is likely chosen to add to the cheerful message that the artwork and album, as a whole, both send.

Because this album cover displays only jumping silhouettes of the band members with joined hands, the individuals are downplayed while the collaborative works of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros are emphasized. The different postures of each member may show that each member brings a unique element to the plate, but their joined hands again reinforce the works of the whole band. The image of them leaping off the ground also seems to be a reference to the title of the album because they are jumping "up from below." Additionally, the photograph appears to be reminiscent of a popular photograph of the Beatles jumping, which aids Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros in associating themselves with a similar genre of music and establishes their target audience. Overall, the image echoes the optimistic and carefree, yet meaningful lyrics of the songs on the album. Some of these lyrics - such as the following from the song "Up From Below" - even delve into Alexander's struggle with drug addiction and the pain of his past:

Heroin and rain blowing out my window pain

Drugs drugs drug me down, killin' light, killin' sound

But, now I've already suffered, I want you to know, God

I'm ridin' on hell's hot flames, comin' up from below

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros attracts the type of listener who would pull out their vinyl copy of Up From Below on a lazy summer afternoon and just vibe with it. When the insightful listener puts together Alexander Ebert's history, his tell-tale lyrics, and the title which foreshadows the contents of the album, the message of the album artwork becomes clear. The album artwork - a picture that invokes cheerful feelings and holds deeper meaning - wordlessly tells the story of how a troubled man was able to overcome the negativity in his life and find nirvana in his music. The band and its listeners are old souls - striving for world peace through positive lyrics and upbeat melodies.

The Best Times of Your Life

Well, as this lovely day comes to a close, I am just thinking about how everyone has always told me again and again, "College will be the best times of your life!" I wasn't sure if I fully believed that...I mean....there's so much homework, and so much stress, and I have probably shed more tears in college than I have in all of my life combined. Today, however, I think I caught a glimpse of what all these crazies mean by "best times of your life".

I started the day at the strike of midnight, decorating my boyfriend's door for his birthday with my roomie. Lemme just say that blowing up balloons and standing on your tiptoes to tape them to the door-frame (and passersby wondering, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?") seems much louder (and more humorous) in the middle of the night, when you're trying not to wake your boyfriend and his roommate. It was a successful venture, nonetheless.

This afternoon, I spent the day laughing and shopping with my three beautiful, future (next semester) roommates. You know, I would never have thought that the key to happiness might be a $12 tie-dye dress (probably worn by someone else...there's a little hole in it), a flannel shirt (definitely worn by someone else - it has quite the musk to it) for $6.50, a couple $1 scrunchies and hair-bows (....hopefully not worn by someone else), and (loudly) rapping and singing along to twenty-one pilots in the backseat with three of your favorite people....but now I'm a believer!

This evening, my boyfriend and I sat at a tiny, folding TV tray in his dorm, eating a large order of take-out wings and store-bought, frosted sugar cookies while simultaneously listening to Jack Johnson to celebrate his birthday....and it was pure glory.

So it isn't quite what I expected. I don't go to class every day and say, "Man, I'm so glad I know what I'm gonna do with the rest of my life!" or, "Gee, I sure do love my major!", but I'm beginning to think that that wasn't what all those seasoned, older folks meant when they told me that college would be the best days of my life. I think it's very likely that, when they told me that, they were time-traveling in their minds to a day when they were sitting on the stinky carpet of their cramped, crappy dorm room or apartment floor eating bad, cheap Chinese food with a few of their best friends....not worrying about their grade in calculus or their 250 word essay that was due the next day or the fact that they still hadn't the slightest clue what they wanted to do "when they grew up". They were just living.

Yep....these are the best times of your life.

What About Those "Domestic Girls"?

I'm gonna cut to the chase, here: When did being domestic turn into a negative thing? This truly puzzles me. Girls might be tempted to cringe or even scoff at the word itself, nowadays.
"Domestic? Ha! Please, Alaina. Quit being archaic. We are in the 21st century, you know."
Hold your horses. Think with me here for a second. I am not suggesting that we rewind the clock to when women were fully dependent on men or that we revoke women's voting rights, nor do I believe it is fair that women are still not paid equally in the workforce for doing the same jobs that men are. But, could the fact that divorce rates have leaped to new heights and that the values of the up-and-coming generations are diminishing be attributed to the fact that traditional mothers are becoming few and far between?
I believe that we are foolish for abandoning our traditional values, and my Christian faith solidifies this for me.
Now, do not get me started on those claims that a woman's "rightful place is in the kitchen", or that "women can't drive", or that women are supposed to unquestioningly provide their spouses/significant others with sex, at his disposal entirely. There is nothing that makes me more red-hot with anger than to hear men joke that way. Picture the very cartoon-esque steam comin' out the ears, beet-red face, squealing teapot noises in the background kinda thing. I'll fight you. Don't talk like that to me. Women are very powerful. We are so capable of doing anything we set our minds to - if we only muster up the determination and use a little elbow grease.
However, I think that the field that we ladies are most desperately needed these days is the home. God makes it very clear to us in the Book that he has high expectations for his girls. I think that Proverbs 31:10-31 illustrates these expectations for us best through the Wife of Noble Character  passage. And you know what the interesting thing about that passage is? Nowhere does it say that a woman should be solely a housewife...in fact, it talks about her doing business and "buying fields" with her earnings. Hmmm...so where did this impression come from that "a good wife's place is in the home"? Beats me.
But what God does call his girls to is some very strenuous work. He doesn't say that being this coveted "Wife of Noble Character" is gonna be easy - he says that she is going to be working her hands from sun-up to sun-down. She won't be spending her days chillaxing, watching soap operas, getting her nails and hair done, and pampering herself. Now, I'm not saying that a woman shouldn't take the time to take care of herself, but I know of a few suburban housewives who think the world revolves around them. Nuh uh.
So, how do I see the Wife of Noble Character spending her days?
I see her beginning the day very early and quietly, in God's Word and in prayer. I see her spending time in reflection - maybe out on the road on a run. I see her making sure that her husband and children are well fed. I can see her going off to her place of employment and shedding a Christ-like light on her co-workers, working at whatever she does as if working for the Lord - not just her earthly boss (Colossians 3:23). I see the Wife of Noble Character coming home to ensure that dinner is prepared and the house is picked up. I see the family joining hands in thanks to God and sharing a meal around a table....with no sounds in the house except that of their voices....laughing, talking, and recapping their days. I see the little ones' evening ending sooner than they'd like, but their acceptance of the fact coming in the form of a sleepy yawn as Mother totes them off to their rooms and they read a bedtime story together. I see Husband and Wife spending quiet time together in the Word....bending knees, bowing heads, and joining hands in prayer and praise, even despite the struggles of each day. ....And even after the Godly man has dragged his weary body to bed, I see the Wife of Noble Character making sure that the pets food bowls are full, the dishes are done, the lunches are packed, and the outfits are laid out for the next day. And when her head finally hits her pillow, she sleeps soundly with the peace that God will provide again the next day. And she sleeps and she sleeps....and tomorrow, she will move mountains again.

I imagine that this tale of the ideal woman, above, has got a couple people scoffing at me. After all, I am only newly 19 years of age. How would I know what it's like to be a wife and mother? I wouldn't. I admit it. I have no clue, yet. But I will tell you that, when I was still living at home, the schedule of my own mother's day looked almost exactly like that. Here's the catch! Take out all of the bits about a husband, because she did not and still does not have one. She is the perfect example of the Proverbs 31 Woman....so to those who say that it cannot be done: it can....and my mother did it without any help.

The moral of the story is that the reason for my foundation and trust in God can be derived from the methods of parenting my mother used on Landon and I and the example of hard work and determination she set for us. This is why mothers must be present in their children's lives - whether they work or are stay-at-home-mothers! This is why I am a believer in the "domestic girl". I have seen too many friends, whose mothers were not present, flounder and soul-search in ungodly ways...and it hurts my heart. I feel so blessed to have had a very involved mom and I pray that this will change a few ladies perspectives on the word "domestic". Don't be afraid of it. It isn't taboo. It's a blessing.

What Katy Perry has taught me about toxic relationships...

I've been on a Katy Perry kick lately. I have always adored her sticky sweet, yet commanding way of weaving words and empowering her listeners, but I was reminded of this recently, when she was a guest on the Ellen Degeneres show during the 12 Days of Giveaways Christmas special.

Katy was ravishing in red Valentino. 

After listening to her belt out her current hit, Unconditionally, I went ahead and bought her entire album, Prism. Much of this album, as she stated subtly on Ellen's show, was written about her divorce experience with Russell Brand. I couldn't help but notice that the tunes were not dark, jaded, or bitter (think Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill) but rather optimistic and upbeat (now imagine a prism.....which scatters light). Needless to say, I love every song on the album....and as I was listening today, I began to think of what the lovely Katy Perry has taught me about toxic relationships.

It started with Circle the Drain - a track from Teenage Dream - which just steams, red hot, with that jaded, bitter vibe. It was my power anthem a few years back, when I was dealing with a relationship in which I experienced a lot of the same emotions I think Katy lets off her chest in this tune. I can relate to every line, in some way or another....

"You give a hundred reasons why, 

And say you're really gonna try. 

If I had a nickel for every time, 

I'd own the bank."

"Thought that I was the exception

I could rewrite your addiction

You could have been the greatest

But you'd rather get wasted."

"Can't be your savior

I don't have the power."

"I'm not gonna stay and watch you circle the drain."

You get the jist of it. Ladies, many of us are familiar with it. We fall for the artsy, troubled, bad boy type because he intrigues us, then we get into the relationship and think we can change him. Well, the truth that we all discover a little too late, that Katy belts out in her song, is that you cannot change him unless he wants to change himself. The only thing you gain from a relationship like that is a huge mess to clean up and a whole lot of baggage which, ultimately, you're going to have to address with the man who is actually right for you...and that can hurt both of you! So the moral of the story is that you don't need that anvil weighing down on your chest. Let it go, before it crushes you.

....But unfortunately, when you do find the strength to let go, it is often not soon enough. When you love someone, regardless of their faults or the many ways they may hurt you, they become a part of you. Losing them may be like losing a piece of yourself. You find yourself at the lowest of lows, thinking you "aren't enough, aren't so tough" and you're "lying on the bathroom floor". You hate yourself for wasting so much time on something that left you scarred and alone, but yet ever fiber in your tear-soaked body wants to run right back to the "same old, same old". Yes, the explosive endings of toxic relationships can leave you wondering what the meaning of your tiny life is. But...you know that saying, "When life brings you to your knees, you are in the perfect position to pray"? I'll let Katy tell the rest of the story....

 

Of course, getting over someone isn't a two step process (as in, fall down, get right back up). On the Ellen show, Katy talked about how, post breakup, you can choose to be angry, or you choose to find the good in that situation. You start exercising, taking lots of vitamins, getting good sleep, surrounding yourself with only positive people, and in turn, you exude the light you fill yourself with. That's what Prism is all about, but the one song that I felt said it best was It Takes Two.

When you are still healing, it is easy to pin all of the blame on him, but you have to remind yourself that relationships are 50%-50%. It Takes Two. It's never wholly one person's fault, and using words to cause pain will only hurt you in the long run. Admitting this takes amazing strength and an incredible amount of self-love.

It's funny...some of the worst rainstorms I can remember have produced the most vivid rainbows, which brings us to the final lesson Katy Perry taught me. If you are patient and wait on God's plan and timing, He will bring that guy I talked about earlier into your life. The "one-of-a-kind", "made to fit like a fingerprint" kinda guy....you know, the one who's right for you. The forever guy.

Doing Gender....

A Message From Yours Truly: This was a current event I wrote for my Women's Studies 201 class, on the social construction of gender. The social construction of gender is basically the theory that gender is developed through social interaction. You are not born "feminine" or "masculine", but conditioned to become that way by your parents, friends, peers, etc. I believe that there are truths as well as fallacies to this. 

If you want to read the article I wrote this on, go HERE!
And HEEEEEERE is Debbie Sterling's fabulous TEDx talk that also hugely contributed to this current event article:

While I was playing with Barbies, baby-dolls, and makeup kits as a child, my younger brothers were playing with Lincoln Logs, Legos, and construction kits. I was learning how to be poised, pretty, and nurturing while they were learning how to use their spatial intelligence. I was learning how to be a socially acceptable young lady while they were learning how to be socially acceptable young men. What kinds of long term effects did these gender-specific toys have on me and other young girls who played with them? Recently, I watched Debbie Sterling’s (2013) TED talk, Inspiring the next generation of female engineers, on this very subject. Sterling, a mechanical engineer, spoke on how boys and girls are not born with the innate instinct to be engineers and housewives, respectively, but conditioned, from the time they are very young, through their toys.

Thankfully, one very prominent toy company, Toys “R” Us, has done away with gender labeling on toys in an effort to discourage the social construction of gender, at least in the UK. HuffPost Parents’ article on this exciting development states that the push to make this change was inspired by a campaign called “Let Toys Be Toys”. This groundbreaking campaign demanded that toy companies cease advertising certain toys as socially acceptable for only boys or socially acceptable for only girls. It is believed by many that gender labeling of toys puts limits on children’s creativity. Megan Perryman, quoted in this article, said, "Even in 2013, boys and girls are still growing up being told that certain toys are ‘for’ them, while others are not. This is not only confusing but extremely limiting, as it strongly shapes their ideas about who they are and who they can go on to become. We look forward to seeing Toys 'R' Us lead the way to a more inclusive future for boys and girls." (HuffPost Parents 2013).

One may think, “That’s great for the United Kingdom, but what about ending gender labeling on toys in the United States?” Companies such as A Mighty Girl and GoldieBlox are in the process of stomping out social gender construction, especially for girls. A Mighty Girl is a website devoted to inspiring young girls to achieve through various platforms including music, movies, clothing, and toys. They formed an online petition on Change.org, which anyone can sign, encouraging Toys “R” Us here in the states to hop on board with the UK! Also, GoldieBlox founder Debra Sterling began a campaign asking mothers and daughters to invade toy stores and take pictures of them playing with GoldieBlox engineering toys for girls.

As stated by Simone de Beauvoir (1953) in The Second Sex, “One is not born, but rather, becomes a woman [man].” Or as Judith Lorber (1991) puts it in her article The Social Construction of Gender, “Everyone ‘does gender’ without thinking about it.” Curtis Sittenfeld (1995) paints an elaborate picture of the way a girl transforms throughout the course of her life in response to what is expected of her, due to her sex of female, as she ages, in his short story Your Life As A Girl. These are all examples of  the social construction of gender, the main issue that the above article dealt with. Gender is constructed socially, sex is constructed biologically.

As babies, girls are clothed in pink as a symbol of femininity while boys sport blue to show they are masculine. An example of this is the story Lorber (1991) told in The Social Construction of Gender of a small child she saw on the train who, at first, she could not tell whether it was a boy or girl. Lorber decided that the child was a girl after seeing her feminine shoes, lacy socks, and earrings. Toys, of course, tend to be very gender specific and, as we grow, boys often put us in our place and show us their dominance. Sittenfeld’s (1995) tale Your Life As A Girl, followed the immense pressure a girl named Anna felt to “shut up” and be a proper young woman from boys her age.  Again, “Everyone ‘does gender’ without thinking about it.” (Lorber 1991).

In conclusion, the mindset that girls and boys should play with certain toys for the sole purpose of it being more masculine or feminine is harmful. Why? Because it is limiting our potential to go beyond what is expected of us. It is encouraging to me to see that the future generations may see more girls with engineering minds and girls who bust through the barrier of what was once a social norm…..girls who shake things up. There are many areas in which gender is “constructed”, as discussed above, but a great start to putting an end to these stereotypes is from the very beginning - children’s toys!