The Matrix

The movie The Matrix was released in 1999 and captured many viewers’ eyes.  There were many different perspectives that people have.   This movie is filled with a Religious connection such as Gnostic Christianity, philosophical theories, and relations with Greek mythology.  The main characters such as Neo, Morpheus, Trinity, The Oracle, Agent Smith, and Cypher all play a major part on the above ideas.  Through Christianity imagery Neo is represented as Messiah.

The documentary “Philosophy of The Matrix” talks about the different aspects of The Matrix.  The video clarifies that The Matrix is a “computer generated dream world built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into a battery”(Oreck).  The many philosophers speaking upon the video discuss how Neo is looked upon as “the one” meaning god.  Neo’s responsibility of being the one is for him to save the city of Zion and the Matrix.  According to the documentary “gnostic christianity frames the fundamental human problem and ignorance the solution which is being enlightenments”.  This means people are getting all these great aspects through movies not understanding where it truly comes from.

The movie The Matrix at first is a bit hard to understand.  Many have said it takes a couple of watches on the movie to really capture the message  the Wachowski brothers is sending.  The movie shows many animated stunts and character specialties.  Based on the movie, Neo being “the one” he has the most amazing abilities to fight off Agent Smith in a never losing fight.  Jesus is believed to be the most powerful man in the world.  In every fight Neo has with Agent Smith , he never loses even after agent smith duplicates. This being said brings us to Jesus being in relation to Neo.  “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,  The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all” (1 Chron 29:11).   Agent Smith is looked at as Saint through christian imagery.  “And He said to them, x "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”(Luke 10:18).  Agent Smith is considered evil because he is trying to kill Neo to get into the city of Zion to destroy it.  In the movie, there's a scene in which Neo is giving something like a disc to a guy name Choi.  Choi referees to Neo as his own personal “Jesus Christ”.  This phrase alone gives the christian viewers the possibility to relate to their religion.      

The script gives a clarity of dialogue.  It shows accuracy in Trinity telling Cypher that Morpheus believes Neo is the one.  “Cypher: We’re going to kill him, do you understand that? Trinity: Morpheus believes he is the one” (Staley 1).  Along this same part of the script,  Cypher is portrayed at Judas through christian imagery .  “Cypher: We’re going to kill him, do you understand that? Trinity: Morpheus believes he is the one Cypher: Do you? Trinity: It doesn’t matter what I believe”(Staley 2).   These quote reveal how Cypher is betraying in believing that Neo is the one.  In christian religion  Judas betrays god and what he believes.  “47 And while He was still speaking,  behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”(Luke 22:47-48).

The scholarly article called “Neo-Christ: Jesus, The Matrix, and Secondary Allegory as a Rhetorical Form” adds to the message the producers of The Matrix is trying to convey.  “The Matrix films have been praised as prime examples of this rhetorical form, with a diversity of symbols and images referencing multiple ideological, philosophical, and religious viewpoints”(Milford 19).   This quote emphasizes that the movie is filled with christian symbols.  Followed by “Christian audience centered on the films as religious allegory, finding them to be a retelling of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Milford 19).  Christian basically view the movie as a reenactment or play of Jesus Christ.

In another scholarly article called “Wake up! Gnosticism and Buddhism in the Matrix” also add to the Wachowski brother’s message.  The authors of the article give us a breakdown of the meanings of the characters in the movie names.  It gives us a better understanding of how the movie is considered similar to christian imagery.  “Neo’s given name of Mr. Ander/son (from the greek andras for man, thus producing “Son of Man”), the ship named the Nebuchadnezzar (the babylonian king who, in the book of Daniel, has puzzling symbolic dreams that must be interpreted)...” (Flannery-Dailey, Wagner 2).  Neo, Trinity, and all the other cast of the film have names that relate to the bible.  Along the Matrix Morpheus obviously prophesying that Neo is the one.  “Neo is overtly constructed as a Jesus figure: he is “the One” who was prophesied to return again to The Matrix, who has the power to change the Matrix within... ” (Flannery-Dailey, Wagner 2).    

       In the bible, it examples how Jesus was born.  After he was born he was able to fulfill the prophecy.  This was name revelation.  This relates to Neo accepting his calling when they kidnapped Morpheus.  “41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah"(John 1:41).   The bible also lets us understand the woman that's compared to Trinity.  “25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah  is coming" (who is called Christ)"When He comes,  He will tell us all things" (John 4:25)  This is used to compare Trinity because throughout the movie Trinity is a big believer in Neo, however through christian imagery Neo is viewed as Messiah.   All the characters from the movie that are on the ship including Trinity are compared to the 12 disciples.  Everyone on the ship in the Matrix helps Neo whenever he’s is in need of help and wants to be removed from The Matrix.  They follow Him or Morpheus every command.  This is similar to the 12 disciples and how they carried out god’s message after he died.   “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (Matt 10:1).

Overall,  The Matrix captured a worldview of christians.  I couldn’t have thought of any other religion that may have related to this film then Christianity.  Even the settings of the movie is somewhat related to christianity.  Morpheus being god and Neo being Messiah is what reinforces the message of the movie that the Wachowski brother is sending.  Every aspect of the movie brings christians more and more in tune with The Matrix.  The film gives them a sense of entertainment to watch what they believe in in a well played drama. 

Painting description

The painting I choose is called Proletarian Victim. The obvious things I see instantly is a lot of dark colors. The back ground is very unclear and dark. The main color I see is black. I also see a woman tied down with ropes. The complexion of the woman is a gold tone. She has black hair. Her hair style is a bun. I also see a red spot on her head. It looks like blood it maybe a injury. She is facing down not showing her face. She's tied down In a way in which her knees are bend. Her arms are towards her back. The woman's stomach seem to be squished. Her stomach is over lapping.
This image reminds me of slavery and cruelty. I feel like the lady in the painting is being force to do something she doesn't want. The first thought that came to my head was Africans in slavery. I also though about rape and kidnapped. I think of my mothers past when I look at this image. I also think about being strong and determine. This image also reminds me of death.

Blog Assignment #4

 Blanche is an Alcoholic.

In the play a StreetCar Named Desire, the author Tennesse Williams characterizes Blanche as being an alcoholic.  However, she doesn't want anyone to notice.  In act 1 scene 1, Blanche drinks about three times.  Williams indicated in stage direction Blanche "looks about her.  Takes a few uncertain steps towards bedroom, looks in.  Turns back, spies open door of kitchen cabinet,  crosses to it, removes a whiskey bottle and glass.  Comes to above table, pours herself stiff drink.  Puts down glass.  Then picks it up again, shakes out last drops of liquor into carpet, and takes glass and bottle back to cabinet.  Moves uncertainly to the L-shaped seat, sits down".(Williams pg.9)  This passage basically describes Blanche looking around to make sure no one is looking as she grabs liquor bottle.  When she is done, she tries to cover the evidence so no one knew she had actually drank.  After waiting for while, Stella comes happily to welcome her sister and talk.  Blanche quickly asks for liquor as if she didn't see or drank already.  Blanche, "Well, now, you talk.  Open your pretty mouth and talk while I look around for some liquor".(Williams pg.10) 





 



   

Art is a master piece of creativity or someone's thoughts. Art is also a language. It's a way of interpreting an image, painting, film, sculpture, or photography. One can perceive it as an outlet from our everyday lives to just a form of expression. A diverse range of ideas. The story behind the painting makes a piece of art.

It was pretty fun how my group an I chose this picture. We stood In front of the computer screen and when we seen the painting we all had something different to say about it. So we just stuck to that one. When I started reading about him I was very interested because I felt that I can relate to him. My mom always gave us food but we've been homeless before and low on money I consider that growing up around poverty. When I look at his painting I see a lot of emotion. I believe he expressed his feeling best though art. That's probably the only way he knew how to. In class, though out the presentation, I learned a lot about art and what it can mean. I love the fact that art can be garbage. I was really amazed by that. Art is just a method of perception, language , and expression.

     Jane Addams High School is located in the Bronx.  It's a vocational school in which my major was cosmetology.  In about 10Th grade I realized a great interest in hair and makeup.  I love making people feel beautiful and enhancing their beauty as well. I also learn in high school, how to set reasonable goals to achieve.  I am satisfied to say in 2 years I would like to have built more skills in makeup and obtain a cosmetology license in makeup and hair styling.  Makeup and hair are used for many things. Being a beautician is a job that won’t ever be irrelevant.   I believe through makeup and hair, is the best way of showing your personality.

             When I was growing up I never pictured myself actually doing hair having an interest in doing hair.  I would always see my sister wear a really dark lipstick.  In that time it was an enormous trend.  I remember looking at her and saying “it looks like she has poop on her mouth”.  When I began to hit my teen years I started to do my own hair and wanted to look pretty. I would also do my best friend’s hair at that time too.  She had more of course hair making it a bit of a challenging but I still pulled through like it’s been something I’ve done all my life. However, I still didn’t like makeup or hair.  I would look at others and say, “That’s just too much”.  When I enter high school I decided to pick cosmetology because I felt that it would be the easiest thing to do.  In fact I imagined it to be pretty funny to play around with the manikins.  After a while, the interested grew so much pushing me to set my goal of withholding a license.  I have a great range of patience.  I’ve been told that when I do hair and makeup I really get into it blocking out any other distraction. I’m a person that likes to please others to the end.

Jane Addams tough me many things in which I have many people that come to me for beauty related reasons.  They trained me in getting a pre license that works for about 6 months.  The license that I want is the permanent one in which I just renew every year.   When getting into the cosmetology field, I must be aware of any programs I get into.  Everyone believes they can do makeup and hair.  People categorize it as an everyday thing.  It’s a fact that not everyone knows how to do hair or makeup.   I have to make sure I know the schools or teachings I'm getting are good enough and are not wasting my time.  Other can build a program telling me they can get me a certified job in that field and really just be taking my money.

      Cosmetology schools provide many new learning skills to better my goal in becoming a hair and makeup artist.  For example, Empire Beauty School (only for makeup) located in Manhattan is a 3-week program that cost $3,066.  After passing an exam I am able to get my certificate.  This school can help me learn new techniques and styles to use on people.  However, the cost of the school can be a challenge.  I must get a job that can work with the schedule the school gives me.  Perhaps I can save money and give little payments to pay off the tuition

          Enhancing others beauty is a great form of creativity.  I enjoy using soft colors as well as bright colors like greens and pinks.  I must get in tune with my experience I had in Jane Addams. I would need to build a connection with the client to understand exactly what they want and vision.   Using colors that describes the client’s personality is a way of building clients as well.  Keeping them can be a dilemma.  I must create new blending and ideas to enrich people's eye color and minds.  What I meaning by blending is matching colors that create beautiful looks and making the clients eye color pop.  I would incorporate my own twist and personal style to also create my own trend.

          Family can be a challenge for me.  I'm currently going thru financial issues as well as housing issues.  That being said it can cause stress and distractions for me to focus.  I need to have a close friend I can talk to when I'm getting overwhelm. As well as a notebook for me to express my feelings and thoughts about any situation I'm going through.  Another issue I can experience with family is them taking advantage of my talent.  For instance, members of my family constantly are asking me to do their hair or makeup for free.  I must set boundaries that they understand I have needs too. 

         Makeup is a great way of expressing myself.  Cosmetics consist of many different colors, images, styles, and personality.  Therefore making it a way of personalizing your own creativity.  Whenever you're feeling a certain way you can show it with makeup.  I believe that with motivation and determination I am about to fulfill my goal.

Goal Draft #3


   1. Jane Addams High School is located in the Bronx.  It's a vocational school in which my major was cosmetology.  In about 10 Th grade I realized a great interest in hair and make up.  I love making people feel beautiful and enhancing there beauty as well.  In 2 years I would like to have build more skills in make up and obtain a cosmetology license in make upping.  Make up is the best way of showing your personality. 

     When getting into the cosmetology , I must be aware of any move I make.      I have to make sure I know the schools or teachings I'm getting are good enough and are not wasting my time.  Therefore I must do research.

     2. Cosmetology schools provide many new learning skills to better my goal in becoming a make up artist.  For example, Empire Beauty school located in manhattan is a 3 week program that cost $3,066.  After passing an exam I am able to get my certificate.  This school can help me learn new techniques and styles to use on people.  However,  the cost of the school can be a challenge.  I must get a job that can work with the schedule   the school gives me.  Perhaps I can save money and give little payments to pay off the tuition.  

     3.  Enhancing others beauty is a great form of creativity.  I enjoy using soft colors as well as bright colors like greens and pinks.  I must get in tune with my experience I had in Jane Addams.  Using colors that describes the clients personality is a way of building clients.  Keeping them can be a dilemma.  I must create new blending and ideas to enrich people's eye color and minds.

        4.  Family can be challenge for me.  I'm currently going thru financial issues.  That being said it can cause stress and distractions for me to focus.  I need to have a close friend I can talk to when I'm getting overwhelm.  As well as a notebook for me to express my feelings and thoughts about any situation I'm going through.

     5.  Makeup is a great way of expressing myself.  Cosmetics consist of many different colors, images, styles, and personality.  Therefore making it a way of personalizing your own creativity.  Whenever you're feeling a certain way you can show it with makeup.  I believe that with motivation and determination I am about to fulfill my goal.  






Seeking Review: The type of review I am looking for is weather my paper makes sense or not.  If you can understand what I'm trying to say through my essay.  Is my method of organizing good and is my thesis is strong.  Should I provide more details?