Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey was truly a breathtakingly beautiful place to see. The intricate detail of the architecture gave a grand introduction prior to even entering the Abbey of the magnificent sights that waited inside. I was overwhelmed upon entering the building at how much there was to see. The Poets’ Corner, however, was the part of the Abbey that most interested me. It was the area that I could relate to most easily, having studied the great works of so many of the men buried there. Being able to see the graves of Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning, Thomas Hardy and so many others helped me to gain an even greater appreciation of their work. Seeing their graves made the fact that they were people rather than just names on a page so much more real to me. I’m sure that had I been given the opportunity to see the Poets’ Corner while I was studying the work of these men, I would have had a greater appreciation for it. Students who live in England and are given such an opportunity are truly fortunate.

Dorian Gray and Shallow Hal: Two Sides of the Same Coin

When reflecting on my overall impression of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, I am intrigued by the timeless nature of the theme so poignantly portrayed in this work. Obsession with youthfulness and physical appearance is perhaps one of the most negative traits of humanity.

Dorian Gray is described as being “wonderfully handsome, with his finely-curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes, his crisp gold hair” (17). The artist who painted his portrait “worshiped him” (17). Contributing to his charm was “ all the candor of youth… as well as all youth’s passionate purity” (17). It was Gray’s unfortunate obsession with his appearance that led to his downfall. Despite his charmed life, one in which he wished never to age and was granted that request, he made despicable choices and was callous in his dealings with other human beings. Metaphysically, his true nature was revealed in the decaying portrait, an artistic rendering of his likeness that captured the unattractive essence of his being. Through Dorian, Wilde illuminates the true nature of human beauty—intangible.

Individuals in contemporary society still wrestle with the illusive nature of beauty. Many are befuddled by mere physicalities, focusing on outer beauty while ignoring the development of their inner selves and failing to appreciate intangible qualities in those around them. As in Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, a modern film entitled, Shallow Hal, depicts the struggles of a young man obsessed with youth and beauty. Like Gray, Hal experiences a metaphysical transformation that allows him to see the truth. Wilde reveals the inherent ugliness of Gray’s character through the portrait, while Hal’s vision is altered, allowing him to see physical beauty only in those who possess inner beauty. As in Dorian’s portrait, callous, narcissistic people, although physically beautiful, appear to be hideous to the enlightened Hal.

Although Dorian Gray’s bitter end contrasts sharply with Hal’s promising beginning, both tales underscore the essence of true human beauty and its powerful influence in our lives.

The Black Death: A Spine-chilling Devastation

While visiting the Museum of London, I found myself most intrigued by the Black Death. Also known as the Great Pestilence, the Black Death first struck London in 1348 and by 1350 had killed an astounding 40,000 people. Half of London’s population had been taken by this mysterious illness. The disease was known to have spread from Asia possibly on rats or fleas, but there is still disagreement as to what truly spread the Black Death. As the chilling film played in the exhibit revealed, the “rotting corpses” that lay about the streets after the “chilly stiffness” had taken over their bodies was thought to have been “caused by the sins of men.” The symbolism that is placed aside this devastating disease reveals the workings of semiotics in fourteenth century London.

I found that the physical structure of this exhibit contributed to its effectiveness. It was composed of crimson colored walls that snaked around each other. An ominous film was projected on one of the walls, while a list of those taken by the plague faded on to and then off of an adjacent wall. The narration that accompanied the film seemed to jump from one speaker to another, giving a sense of the unpredictable nature of the Black Death that the victims must have felt. They never knew who it would strike next.

Another aspect of this exhibit that struck me was the lack of physical evidence from this time. The lack of these articles speaks for itself; the Black Death left nothing behind. Only stories and speculation remained after it vanished. The idea of narrative plays a large role in how the Black Death is remembered. With word of mouth being the main source of teaching about it, what kind of adjustments could have been made to the actual events? Could stories have been made to seem less severe to preserve the innocents of children? Or perhaps, they were made to seem even more terrifying as a means of frightening people to keep them from committing sins that were associated with its original existence. I am by no means attempting to belittle the horror that the victims of the Black Death faced but merely trying to understand the complex role that stories play in society.

The Multi-layered Nature of Cultural Studies

Graeme Turner’s British Cultural Studies provides thorough explanation of what it means to study a culture. Specific studies showcased and methodologies explored provide a good foundation for a student visiting London for five weeks of exploring a new culture.

One advertiser’s treatment of the campaign for Ski yoghurt reveals the use of semiotics, the connection of a concept with a product, to entice consumers to consider the food a “lifestyle product,” associating it with “existing myths of youth and of a healthy outdoor life-style” (16). As the focus of my study will be the British dining experience, I realize the importance of paying attention to advertiser’s use of semiotics to capitalize on the ideals of the British people; such observations will provide insights into the mindset of the British consumer.

Consumers occupy a variety of roles within families. Much like the studies related to British television viewing habits, the power structure within the family most likely defines the dining experience and decisions surrounding it as well. In terms of viewing patterns, males were often bullies who determined program selection, and women did not have much leisure time to devote to viewing. Children were often sent upstairs to watch black and white televisions in their bedrooms (121). Like the viewing experience, the dining experience is also a daily family activity. Gender and generational roles are essential to my study as they constitute subcultures of society as a whole. Consideration of subcultures is essential in understanding the synergy of a society which comprised of numerous multi-faceted groups.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of cultural studies explored in Turner’s book is the multi-dimensional nature of cultural studies. He refers to a book entitled Doing Cultural Studies: The Story of the Walkman and explains the many layers of study required in order to understand a single product: the Sony Walkman. From this analogy, I was able to envision an organizational web of sorts that I will use to define my study of the British dining experience.

Turner’s text not only clearly delineated the cultural studies realm but also provides insights into British culture that will serve me well as a first time visiter and researcher in London.

I'm new at this whole blogging thing, so here goes.

I'm a chemistry major at Augusta State University, I work at Hallmark, and I have a miniature dachshund named Tabasco. I have travelled around the US, but I have never left the country. I'm very excited about this trip to London. Can't wait to meet everyone!