In this extra credit blog post, I will analyze quotes by a few celebrities and put them into context. I will also answer the given questions on each quote and interview.
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| Mathieu Plourde. "Contexts." 02/10/2013 via Flickr. Attribution 2.0 Generic License. |
Kanye West
Interviewed with The American Dream issue of Paper
Quote: “I know people want to talk about the American Dream, but my dream is a world dream. It's a world in which everyone's main goal would be to help each other. The first thing I told my team on New Year's Day was, "You know, people say bad news travels fast, but this year let's make good news travel faster."”
Questions:
1. Describe the context: What was the context in which the quote was actually said? To what kind of publication? When? Who were they speaking to? Was the speaker responding to a question? Or did the quote emerge as part of a conversation about a specific topic?
- The quote is actually the first couple sentences in the article that Kanye West wrote.
- This was published in a magazine called Paper, which seems to deal mainly with fashion. It was published in April of 2015.
- Kanye West was describing his journey and progress that he has made as a fashion designer, however, he mainly focused on his past experiences that led him to be where he is today as a man.
- The quote, and the article, was not an answer to a specific written question, but maybe a collection of popular questions that West has been asked.
2. Explain how knowing the context shapes our understanding of the quote: How does knowing the specific context in which the quote was said inform your understanding of the quote? Try to describe how knowing the context helps you react to the quote in some specific way.
- By reading the rest of the interview, I now understand the reason that why Kanye West said the things he did, and why he was discussing the idea of the American Dream.
- Recognizing the meaning of the quote and putting it into context makes the quote seem less outrageous and egotistical.
- I not only understand the quote more, but I understand who Kanye West is as a person more now too.
3. Analyze how the quote-in-context shapes your view of the celebrity who said it: Explain how understanding the context in which the celebrity said the quote does or does not color your perception of them. Does knowing the context for the quote deepen your impression of the celebrity who said it? Does it change or alter your perception of them? Does it cut against the way this celebrity is often talked about or represented within the culture-at-large?
- By understanding the context of this quote, Kanye West seems a more respectable and genuine person. The article itself probably allows me to empathize and sympathize more with him now.
- Now, in popular culture, there is this ongoing "meme" with Kanye West. He is known to be egotistical and obsessed with his image and himself. This article that he has written helps to change that perception slightly, however, he still comes off as self-important.
Christ Pratt
Reported on MoviePilot
Quote: “I do know what it feels like to eat emotionally, and…to be be sad and make yourself happy with food. And then to be almost immediately sad again and now ashamed and then to try to hide those feelings with more food. I know what that’s like. It’s a vicious cycle and it’s a very real thing.”
Questions:
1. Describe the context: What was the context in which the quote was actually said? To what kind of publication? When? Who were they speaking to? Was the speaker responding to a question? Or did the quote emerge as part of a conversation about a specific topic?
- The quote was included in an article written primarily about Chris Pratt, and his sudden change in a role as an actor and his body image.
- It was published on MoviePilot, which is a news source that mainly discusses movies and actors, in July of 2014.
- The article was published around the time that "The Guardians of the Galaxy" came out in theaters.
- He was being interviewed and he was being asked a question on relating his personal weight loss experience with those that women have in Hollywood. He was asked to give his insight on the struggles that people have with weight, especially in the public eye.
2. Explain how knowing the context shapes our understanding of the quote: How does knowing the specific context in which the quote was said inform your understanding of the quote? Try to describe how knowing the context helps you react to the quote in some specific way.
- Understanding the context of this quote helps to put his words into perspective. I now know the background of Chris Pratt's experience with being overweight and what he had to go through to lose that weight.
- With more context, I have a stronger reaction to his quote than I did when I read it all by itself.
3. Analyze how the quote-in-context shapes your view of the celebrity who said it: Explain how understanding the context in which the celebrity said the quote does or does not color your perception of them. Does knowing the context for the quote deepen your impression of the celebrity who said it? Does it change or alter your perception of them? Does it cut against the way this celebrity is often talked about or represented within the culture-at-large?
- Now, I have more respect and admiration for Christ Pratt. As the article has all positive things to say about him, it does make me have more positive feelings towards him as an actor and as a person.
- I knew that he did lose weight, because of the recent movies that he was in, and I have been a fan of "Parks and Recreation," however, I did not realize the significance of it all. This article helps to emphasize all the work that he put in, and I can't help but feel proud and happy for him.
- This helps to put weight issues and struggles into perspective for all actors and actresses in Hollywood--it is difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, yet not become obsessed with being the "most fit" and "skinniest."
- I now feel like I can relate to Chris Pratt on a normal level, because he shared some honest and vulnerable truths.
--Jenny Bello
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