Big Idea Warmup

Life/death - Life and death are mysterious. We don't know what we want when we're living, and we don't know where we'll go when we die. The concept is often intimidating to people because of the uncertainty surrounding death. We don't know enough about it because no one's been able to come back from death to tell a story.

Fashion - Fashion defines an individual. It puts personality into a person. Nothing gives a first impression like the way a person's wardrobe does. Depending on the way a person dresses, one can tell if that individual is bright, moody, depressed, confident, lazy, etc. Money is also a big factor, and some people who want to dress a certain way do not have the luxury of being able to afford everything.

Food - Food is a necessity in life, but also a luxury. It provides the most basic forms of energy while also satisfying our cravings. Oftentimes, the highlight of a person's day is a well prepared meal at a nice restaurant. Different types of food come from different cultures, and the variety adds flavor to life. Some of the weirdest foods come from experimentation, and it is this experimentation that yields the best results.

Robert Capa

Robert Capa was a famous Hungarian photographer who portrayed the violence of combat and the cruelty of war. He covered five wars: The Spanish Civil War, The Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II, The 1948 Arab-IsraeliWar, and the First Indochina War. His works provided a unique angle on the impact of the wars and highlighted the line between what was right and wrong.



Denotation: The picture shows two soldiers taking cover on the battlefield. The older soldier is taking point while the younger soldier looks to follow the lead. It appears that the older soldier is dressed up in a uniform while the younger is wearing casual clothing. The right hand of the front soldier is carefully placed on the cover.

Connotation: The central meaning behind this photo is clear: wars are dangerous. The soldiers' stressed expressions and careful positioning creates a tense atmosphere, and the right hand placed on the rock emphasizes the caution. Another emphasis falls on the different levels and classes in the military. The older, more experienced soldier clearly has better gear. The imbalance especially points out the necessary yet unfair treatment of recruits. The angle of the photograph also creates an uncertainty as to what is behind the giant wall of rock. The uncertainty certainly carries over to summarize the surroundings of wars in general.

http://www.pbs.org/weta/reportingamericaatwar/reporters/capa/photo1.html



Denotation: An old man is pointing out directions for a younger soldier. The two are in a battlefield, but there does not seem to be immediate danger lurking around. The old man is dressed in shaggy clothing and carrying a long stick while the soldier is wearing military apparel.

Connotation: The photo displays a more peaceful yet still shattered situation. The background itself provides an atmosphere of death and decay. The soldier, however, symbolizes hope in desperate times. He is the hero,  the savior, the light at the end of the tunnel. The old man's help highlights the cooperation between the thankful citizens and the military during times of war.

http://jozefpronek.livejournal.com/tag/mafia

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