Summary of Kate Middleton Assignment 1-4-6

Summary of Kate Middleton

Assignment 1-4-6

                Kate Middleton is known for grace, natural elegance and her wedding to Prince William, just like her late mother-in-law Princess Diana.  The frenzy that was followed after the announcement of the engagement rivaled the announcement of Prince Charles and Princess Diana wedding.  Media outlets from newspapers to magazines and even the internet were all crazy to get a photograph of the new Princess (Talking Point, 2010).  The most important theory that is related to Princess Kate is her iconic style that she shares with the late Princess Diana.  While Princess Diana wore expensive Versace and Catherine designer gowns, Kate is known for wearing more affordable gowns (Neel, 2011).

                The most interesting findings were researching the articles about Kate Middleton engagement ring. Prince William gave Kate was his late mother’s engagement ring.  There were many replica royal rings produced and sold at high end stores and low end stores (Why Everyone Wants, 2011).  According to the article Prince William and also The Kate Middleton Engagement Ring; “A Greek fable reported that the ring should be worn on the fourth finger linking it with the soul.” (Prince William, 2010). When Prince William placed the ring on Kate’s finger this probably was the most important part of her life.

                When thinking of the critical analysis of pop culture, and what an impact it has made on today’s culture in our society, pop culture has crossed the national borders. The fascination that Americans had with Princess Diana has been passed on to Princess Kate.  Princess Diana was the most beloved Princess during the 1980’s and 1990’s even after her death many Americans mourned her passing.  Princess Kate has made such an iconic impact on American culture.  It will be interesting to see how much more of an impact Princess Kate will make during her life.

Reference

Neel, J. (2011, April 15). Style File-Diana, Princess of Wales. Vogue. Retrieved on October 5, 2012, from

     http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2011/04/15/style-file---diana-princess-of-wales

Prince William and also The Kate Middleton Engagement Ring (2012, October 8). Retrieved on October  

      12, 2012, from https://podcast.monmouth.edu/groups/spring2012_it150_01/weblog/15b7f/

Talking Point Do young people care about Prince William's engagement?. (2010). Children & Young

      People Now, 20.

Why Everyone Wants Kate Middleton’s Ring (2011, April 25). Retrieved on October 12, 2012, from

http://www.theonlinejeweler.org/the-royal-obsession-and-why-everyone-wants-kate-middletons-ring/

Conventional Kate Middleton Assignment 1-4-5

Conventional Kate Middleton

Assignment 1-4-5

                Kate Middleton looks fabulous where ever she happens to be, she is following her late mother-in-laws sense of style.  According to Diana vs. Kate: A style comparison; “Diana was a romantic princess, Kate is the professional princess” (Diana vs. Kate, n.d.).  Princess Diana achieved style icon by conducting herself in public as a royal, Kate has also achieved the status of a style icon. 

                Merriam-Webster dictionary definition for convention is: a rule of conduct or behavior (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).  The British throne expects a certain conduct from the royal family and family members.  The royal women are expected to wear skirts or dresses at a modest length falling just above the knee or longer (Huffington Post, 2012).

Kate Middleton’s look is very conventional, traditional and/or standard contemporary, she has been criticized for her blandness in how she dresses.   Kate likes to recycle clothes, wearing dresses more than once out in public.  Some individuals have criticized her for this and yet most fashionista’s respect Kate’s sense of style.

Kate sense of style had quite an impact on the world when she got out of the car in her wedding dress, it was very traditional wedding dress.  The wedding dress was designed by Sara Burton head designer for Alexander McQueen (Jerpi, 2011).  The gown had hallmark classic McQueen designs.  The silhouette was gorgeous and whimsical complementing Kate’s slim athletic body.

When it comes to clothes Princess Kate can do no wrong when she is out in the public spot light.  Her conventional  style of dress has won the world over creating a major impact on British fashion.  After the wedding many women wanted to have her wedding dress.  The conventional way of dressing in British royalty has forever been changed by Princesses Kate’s mixing of couture with retail fashion (Jerpi,2011).

Reference

Convention. (n.d.) Merriam-Webster. Retrieved on October 26, 2012, from http://www.merriam-

     webster.com/dictionary/convention

Diana vs. Kate: A Style Comparison. (n.d.). Retrieved on October 26, 2012, from

      http://shine.yahoo.com/photos/diana-vs-kate-style-comparison-slideshow/

Jerpi, L. (2011, May 18). The Princess Bride-Wedding Fashion Inspired by the Royals. Retrieved on

     October 26, 2012, from http://insite.artinstitutes.edu/the-princess-bride-wedding-fashion-inspired-

     by-the-royals-41799.aspx

Royal Ascot Unveils New Dress Code, Banning Fascinators. (2012, June 21). Retrieved on October 26,

     2012, from http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/16/royal-ascot-dress-code-

     fascinators_n_1602604.html

Tension, Conflict and Contradiction in Country Music Analysis Assignment 1-3-2

Tension, Conflict and Contradiction

 in Country Music Analysis

                Music singers and songwriters call country songs a three minute word-movie from the turn of the century in Appalachia reflecting on everyday trials, hopes, fears and troubles.  In many homes, churches, taverns, dance halls and radio stations, country music is a way of reflecting on life.  The lyrical content of country songs as analyzed over time, is steady and revolving around the topics of home, family, patriotism, love and liquor (Lewis, 1991).   And yet looking at “core values” of country music the inconsistencies, conflict in some cases are contradictions, freedom of individual expressions are voiced in a yearning for a dependent stable family life. The degree and interconnectedness are expressed in the fact of tension, conflicts and contradictions of the values expressed in country music leaving a problem with harmonious and consistent value pattern (Lewis, 1991)

                The author has grouped a disharmonious lyrical content in the nature of tension, conflict and contradiction. The tension and frustration that are in song lyrics that discuss the wife a at home, doing housework and overwhelmed by screaming children when the husband lets her know that he is going to the local bar with his buddies after work.  The conflict would be the view of the male sex role of urban and rural conflicting between the expectations of social classes, and the contradicting the inconsistencies pattern of expectations and value between both sexes.  

The author also abstracts three general axes from the cultural variation that he charts these as 1) connections between the individual and society; 2) social relations of freedom or restraint; and 3) orientations towards the past (usually defined as rural) as opposed to the present (usually defined as urban) (Lewis, 1991). 

                Country music has migrated from the southern environment to major urban areas across the United States.  The original culture of country music spread after World War Two and the Korean War exposing the country music as southern servicemen moved across the country. In 1981 there was a flurry of crossover hits from pop music to country music the conflict was pointed out in the difference between a traditional country audience and the diffusion of pop country music. 

The author talks about interpersonal relationship between men and women in the lyrics of country songs.  At one time a deep, earthy, and universally respected genre of folk music embraced by people from all walks of life, and performed by heartland poets who wrote touching melodies and thought-provoking but subtle messages about life, love, and loss, country music has now grown into a dim shadow of its former greatness.

The article is very negative towards urbanization of country music.  Take for instance rap, it is an urbanized music that is becoming more mainstream in rural areas, it also has a lot of swearing, violence towards women and fighting. The author talks about social change and the mass migration of the music originating from the south towards urbanization, and how it affects pop culture.  He then talks about interpersonal relationship that causes tension, conflict and contradictions between men and women, how they relate towards one another.  

The important aspect of the article is the behavior of relationships in country songs.  The author concludes the journal article with interpersonal relations of attraction and appropriate sex role models, and how the audiences of music listeners are listening to the lyrics (Lewis, 1991).  The conflict and contradiction in country music may contain certain “core values” to the listener and those different cultural values (Lewis, 1991).  Country music also has a strong conservatism and traditionalism that rings through the lyrics (Lewis, 1991).

Reference

Lewis, G. H. (1991). Duellin' Values: Tension, Conflict and Contradiction in Country Music. Journal Of

     Popular Culture, 24(4), 103-117.

Kate Middleton-Cult of the Celebrity Assignment 1-4-4

Kate Middleton-Cult of the Celebrity

Assignment 1-4-4

                The devotion of Princess Kate in the media follows a trend that was started with Princess Diana.  Photographers and the paparazzi followed her in everything she did.  In September 2012 nude pictures were published of Princess Kate while she and Prince William were vacationing on a relative’s private estate (Winfield, 2012).  The blurry photo’s showed Princess Kate wearing skimpy bathing suit bottom and rubbing suntan lotion on the Princess William’s shoulders (Winfield, 2012). The news that these pictures were going to be published initiated a torrent of internet interest. 

                The Italian gossip magazine Chi that chose to publish the photos, defending themselves by saying “She’s not our future queen” the photo storm that was predicted, caused a backlash of negative media towards the Chi (Winfield, 2012).  .  The British royal family looked at options of filing a lawsuit against the magazine for violation of privacy.

In the 19^thcentury “The cult of celebrity” began because of the industrial revolution, people suddenly had time on their hands.  Opera singers were the first to be followed by the society pages and gossip columns of newspapers.  (Chance,  n.d.) When a person grabs a magazine to read the latest exploits of Princess Kate they are joining a club that dates back a hundred years.

The world wants more and more photos of the Princess Kate.  Since the photos have been released Prince William has been very displeased with the invasion of privacy of his wife stating that “he was angered and disbelief that they had crossed the red line” (English, 2012).  Unfortunately this incident was reminiscent of the press and paparazzi during Princess Diana’s life.  Even the royals should have an expectation of privacy while visiting a relative’s house.  

Reference

Chance, M. (n.d) The Dawning of the Cult of Celebrity, Wonders & Marvels. Retrieved on October 16,

     2012, from. http://www.wondersandmarvels.com/2010/01/the-dawning-of-the-cult-of-

     celebrity.html

English, R. (2012, September 14). Tea and Sympathy for Kate as she puts on a brave smile but grim-faced

      William shows his anger after topless photo outrage, Mail Online. Retrieved on October 18, 2012,

     from, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2203178/Kate-Middleton-topless-photos-Duchess-

     Cambridge-puts-brave-smile-outrage.html

Winfield, N. (2012, September 15). Kate Middleton Topless Photos Spread To Irish Tabloid, Italian

     Magazine HUffPost Media. Retrieved on October 18, 2012, from,

     http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/15/chi-kate-middleton-topless-photos_n_1886469.html

Kate Middleton Ritual and Stereotyping ASGN 1-4-3

Kate Middleton Rituals and Stereotype- Assignment 1-4-3

                The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Princess Kate captured and engulfed public media on April 29, 2011, just like the Royal wedding of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.   The announcement of the engagement sent a frenzy of newspapers, magazines and websites to photograph the happy couple (Talking Point, 2010).  The media had a nickname for Princess Kate it was “Waity Katie” but she does not have that name any more.  Prince William gave Kate his late mother’s engagement ring it is an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds.  Princess Diana would have been honored to know that Kate wore the ring.

After the engagement announcement was made, many replica royal rings were produced and sold out of everywhere from high end stores to channels such as QVC for only $29 (Why Everyone Wants, 2011).  Consumers clamored for the ring, wanting to feel like a princess feeding the fantasy of romance and royalty (Why Everyone Wants, 2011).

                The engagement ring ritual comes from a Greek fable reporting that the ring should be worn on the fourth finger linking it with the soul.  While wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger is good for the beloved, it provided immense joy for Princess Kate (Prince William, 2012).

                While Princess Kate now wears Princess Diana’s ring Princess William said “that she won’t be in his mother shadow”. (Prince William, 2010) Princess Kate has made a name for herself by wearing fashion designers that every regular person can wear.  The engagement dress was made by Issa one of her favorite designers.  

                Prince William has started a ritual in his family of passing down his mother’s ring.  Princess Kate’s engagement caused a surge of business for the replica of the ring turning it into a legacy for many royals to follow. 

Reference

Prince William and also The Kate Middleton Engagement Ring (2012, October 8). Retrieved on October 12, 2012, from https://podcast.monmouth.edu/groups/spring2012_it150_01/weblog/15b7f/

Talking Point Do young people care about Prince William's engagement?. (2010). Children & Young People Now, 20.

Why Everyone Wants Kate Middleton’s Ring (2011, April 25). Retrieved on October 12, 2012, from

http://www.theonlinejeweler.org/the-royal-obsession-and-why-everyone-wants-kate-middletons-ring/