Assignment 1-3-3-Analysis #2- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone- Analysis #2

     Rituals can be described as a shared ceremony that usually takes place at a certain time and place. Rituals occur in my different areas of everyday life such as in families, different religions, and in some businesses; but at times, one never really think about it until it is time for the ritual to take place. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer have Stone and throughout the Harry Potter series, the characters in the book and movies practiced a ritual called the “Sorting Hat”, which is now a well know artifact associated with Harry Potter (Profiles of Popular Culture, 2005).

     The Sorting Hat is a ceremony that took place at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry each year the children return to school. The Hogwarts School consist of four different houses named after the four founders and each had a different very different idea of what kind of person should be taught; the sorting hat ceremony is a magical way to decide which house the new students will live in based of course on what the hat says. Now in today’s society you can see the sorting hat everywhere on children’s heads and some are having sorting parties where the hat is worn (J. K. Rowling, 2012).

     Based on the information stated this could also be a classified as a stereotype because it puts the children in different classes based on their personalities. Now they have sorting hat personality test that children have to take before they can be place anywhere in the game, whether good or bad. Is this the right example for our children?  I read on one of the web-site where it stated, “In our modern age, those who don’t know, or aren’t magical, will merely see old ruins and a sign warning of danger”. Does that mean those who don’t know and does not pass the personality test will never know and therefore, cannot be taught? So this ritual is stereotyping children based on personality. I don’t agree with it of course and but it’s sad that any child would have to be subjected to something like that to be accepted at a birthday party (Hogwarts, 2004, September 1).

Icon Analysis- Assignment 2-1

Popular Culture: Icon Analysis

     The three contemporary icons that were chosen for this assignment are Family Feud, Whitney Houston and Betty Boop. Family Feud is a television game show that premiered July 12, 1976, and is still showing today after being pulled from the air many times before. Whitney Houston is an R&B singer phenomenon who launched her first album titled “Whitney Houston” in 1984 selling more than 14 million copies. Betty Boop is a cartoon character; first and most famous sex symbol on animated screens. Each of these Icons holds its own place in popular culture and will probably remain there for generations to come.

     The reason these three icons were chosen is because each show a different area of popular culture. Family Feud shows entertainment that last throughout the years; it is also something that can be watched with the whole family while guessing the number #1 answer. Words cannot express why Whitney Houston was chosen for this assignment; she was just one of the greatest female singers of all times who many female singer mentor after and upon her untimely death she had just completed a remake of a movie, which aired in 1976, called “Sparkle”, and Whitney was great. Betty Boop, making her appearance in the 1093’s, was chosen because she is a cartoon and after all these years she is still around. Anyone can buy the Betty Boop image on just about anything; on car mats, tee-shirts, purses, jewelry…etc. As a cartoon she stood out more than some human icons on television and movies.

     What these icons mean is the history that is attached to each one of them; it tells of a period where entertainment was good and fun. You can watch a game show without trying to figure out what the game is about; some game shows are so confusing, at least to me. Whitney’s music and voice takes me to a calm place where words are accepted and understood; Whitney entertained for the love of the music and it was certainly appreciated by many. What Betty Boop is just a reminder of childhood and today she is still holds the title of a sexy animation; her cartoons are funny and is still watched today.

Assignment 1-3-2: Analysis #1- Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone- Analysis 1

     Although made for children series, it is also enjoyed by many adults; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, released in the U.S. November 14, 2001, was the beginning of what became one of the biggest phenomenons in movie history. The first movie of the Harry Potter series was about a young orphan boy who was eventually sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was introduced to a world of evil, love, hate, magic and rebirths. Although Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone started a series of very popular movies since its debut, it did not go without its share of popular beliefs or myths associated with its production (ABC Family, 2012).

     Some of the popular beliefs associated with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is that, according to reviews done by Common Sense media, children ages 7 gave the movie 5 stars and  it is believe to be a great movie and every family should enjoy it (Common Sense, 2005, November 8). But of course the success of Harry Potter does not come with some negative criticism; some Christians believe that it promotes witchcraft. The Christians parents believe that the movie will make children want to indulge more into the dark world. One myth that is also associated with Harry Potter is that it was plagiarized; some believe that the work in Harry Potter was copied from another author who is now deceased. In 2011 a U.S. judge dismissed the lawsuit claim against author J.K. Rowlings (The Huffington Post, 2011). Despite the beliefs and myths associated with the debut of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, whatever they may be, it still continues to be a popular fiction for children of all ages all over.

    

My Blog Post

Pop culture is what is happening now and may last for years to come, also for the individual who find whatever it is that makes happy relevant. What is means to me is history and memories; I have always found if fascinating about how pop culture come to be and how far will this go as far as popularity. It important in the business environment because the knowledge will help keep up with what the latest and greatest technology and to maintain that knowledge for furthering ones career.

I chose the Nike symbol (called Swoosh) as an example of pop culture artifact because when you think of sports, clothing, shoes and really just about everywhere you look, one can't help but to see the "Swoosh". The Swoosh is a corporate trademark created in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student at Portland State University. In 1972 the first running shoes bearing the Swoosh was introduced at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.