ipl-logo

Personal Narrative: My Personal Identity

1272 Words6 Pages

I have a confession to make. One that makes me wince a bit and pushes me uncomfortably against contradictions it creates in my identity: I am in an impassioned relationship with the creation of a ‘perfect’ wedding. Hours of reality television shows about affirming the best dress? Check. Casually browsing wedding registries at Macy’s? Check. A Pinterest board full of grand blueprints for my own big day? Absolutely. I love it all. As far as my memory extends I can recall fantasies of this day romanticized as the beginning of my life as a married woman. And while it does not seem especially abnormal in the context of my personal social circles, it has begun to raise questions for me individually as I navigate the assumptions, motives, and functions of such a goal. Questioning these areas …show more content…

For instance, how does such my celebration of a heteronormative institution challenge my identity as an ally to the LGBTQ community? And, what does an affinity for a ritual rooted in male ownership of women say about my identity as a feminist? In facing such questions, I have been led to the many layers beneath the “white wedding” (Guest 2014: 323). Layers grounded most directly in sexuality. Such an analysis directs itself to the construction of Western weddings, the power relations of sexuality, and real world examples of sexuality being lived. In deconstructing this concept of the “white wedding”, as Guest references the title of sociologist Chrys Ingraham’s book White Weddings: Romancing Heterosexuality in Popular Culture, one is led to the “wedding industry” as Ingraham

Show More
Related

  • Jack Phillips Research Paper

    1351 Words  | 6 Pages

    INTRODUCTION Jack Phillips’ is a man of deep religious faith, combining his strong religious beliefs with the cakes he makes in his own bakery, Masterpiece Cakeshop. Each cake Phillips’ makes it meticulously crafted through a series of sketching, sculpting, and hand-painting as he believes these cake to be a form of artistic expression. However, just as any artist’s work is personal to them, Phillips’ too focuses heavily on what the cake, which he considers his art, will represent and does not produce cakes that contrast with his personal beliefs. The issue here is that Phillips’ denied respondents Charlie Craig and David Mullins’ request to create a cake honoring their same-sex marriage.

    Read More

  • Marriage Equality In Bekah Brunstetter's The Cake

    632 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the world of theatre, a place which tends to be reserved for liberal expression and socially progressive content, Bekah Brunstetter’s The Cake appears to be somewhat of an anomaly. This is not to say that the play condemns or lacks representation of the social matters which are so commonly highlighted in contemporary theatre. In fact, The Cake very thoroughly explores the unceasing debate surrounding the topic of marriage equality. However, Brunstetter’s thoughtful characterization forces audiences to consider a perspective that is rarely supported, or even acknowledged, on the stage.

    Read More

  • Katharine Bush's Short Story 'Birthday Party'

    403 Words  | 2 Pages

    When gifts and surprises are made, a little piece of ourselves go into them regardless of the simplicity of the surprise. In Katharine Bush’s short story, “Birthday Party,” the repercussions of a rejected surprise are seen through her use of heart-crushing imagery and keen details. First, Bush describes the “couple” so as to give readers a basic understanding of their forefront character. Starting by pointing out that they look “unmistakably married” is an interesting point that makes the two individuals seem happy with each other and enjoying each other’s company.

    Read More

  • Matrimony In The Other Paris By Mavis Gallant

    786 Words  | 4 Pages

    Gallant characterizes Howard as “uncommonly cautious” with this spontaneous proposal being “quite out of character.” The author reveals Howard’s motive as societal pressure. In his mind, “unless he stumbled on a competent housemaid, nothing ever got done [at home],” meaning he predominantly thinks of a wife, and Carol, as a homemaker. He also “was deeply moved” by the fear of not finding a wife “before it was too late.” Gallant, thus, exposes this lack of passion to criticize the concept of pragmatic matrimony--centered around social and household comfort--through the list structure of the author and the characterization of

    Read More

  • Conformity And It's Effect On Society

    264 Words  | 2 Pages

    After being constantly oppressed for wanting and desiring irrational things as a woman, the last marriage with Tea Cake really brings out how conformity does save one harsh words from others, but it is only by going against the rules that one can be who they are and attain

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Edward Said's 'States'

    1267 Words  | 6 Pages

    Edward Said 's memoir, "States", is an interesting take on a man who cannot remember his life in Palestine, a man who has no roots connected to his home country other than the fact that he is Palestinian and how his perspective is based on bias. Contrary, Jane Tompkins ' essay, "Indians", reviews how perspectives can contradict the opinions of others, using her own experiences as examples. Though the two essays concentrate on different topics, they have similarities in their essays. Said focuses on the past with what he knows of Palestine, while Tompkins talks about how she is bombarded by the different perspectives by other researchers, that makes forming her own perspective harder than it was as a child.

    Read More

  • Jewish Wedding

    1381 Words  | 6 Pages

    Leslie Ventura REL 100 Final Paper: Jewish Wedding Society today is made up of a mosaic of different cultures and religions. Visitors to the U.S. can see the incorporation of many traditions and rituals from other countries. Throughout history there have been many refugees who leave their homelands which has led to the spread of different cultures and traditions around the world. For Jews, the spread of Judaism was caused by diaspora, or dispersion of people outside their countries, which happened several times in history. Even though Judaism is widespread, there is a consistency in the basic traditions and holidays that are celebrated.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Illuminating The Dark In A Rose For Emily

    1669 Words  | 7 Pages

    Contradicting the apparent atmosphere and tone of the story, this scene plays an essential role in intriguing readers, as they are yet uninformed that this marriage would be made for eternity, and the clothes purchased

    Read More

  • Ancient Athenian Women Essay

    1886 Words  | 8 Pages

    This homosexual behavior was considered more pure than sexual relations with a female, which reinforced the patriarchal disregard for women. With no equality in age, sexual experience, or legal status, the polarity of power between bride and groom was

    Read More

  • The Sociological Aspects Of Interracial Marriage

    954 Words  | 4 Pages

    The increased rate of interracial marriage represents change in the world. A couple hundred years ago, an interracial couple would have been seen as a disgrace to their country, culture and way of life. But in today society’s, racial tolerance is increasing. This increase in tolerance has lead to a vast increase in assimilation and interracial marriages.

    Read More

  • Civil Disobedience: A Case Study

    800 Words  | 4 Pages

    A recurring client wanted a wedding cake for her lesbian wedding. The client picked this bakery for their cake because they liked Melissa’s sweet treats (“State”). Melissa had many homosexual clients in the past, but wouldn’t make them a wedding cake (“Oregon”). Let us not forget, at the time of this problem, homosexual marriage was not legal (“LGBT”). The client began to create her cake, and when Melissa asked who the bride and groom were, the client replied with, “it’s two brides.”

    Read More

  • Chittra Banerjee Divakaruni Clothes Analysis

    1086 Words  | 5 Pages

    Arranged marriage is a controversial practice in many cultures around the world. However, studies have found that roughly 85 percent of Indians prefer to engage in this tradition, and have a higher rate of marrital success than a marriage based on personal choice. (Dholakia, 4) Yet, even considering these statistics, it remains a concept that is met with dissapproval, thought to be archaic and demeaning to those involved. Chittra Banerjee Divakaruni’s short story Clothes depicts a young woman transition, from being obliged to follow this cultural norm, and the shifts in her mentality throughout this process. It is not unreasonable for the reader to view the protagonist, Sumita, to be a victim of this presumably inhumane practice.

    Read More

  • How Does The American Culture Affect The White Wedding

    369 Words  | 2 Pages

    The American culture constructs the white wedding in a perception that almost reflects a fairytale. Women are expected to wear white gowns signifying purity and men are expected to wear a black tux. Americans exceed their budgets, take out loans, and anything else that will grant them that fairytale wedding which often only occurs once in a lifetime. Ceremonies are held, and a piece of paper known as the marriage license is presented as the women is passed off to the man. Society views weddings as an overall goal and entitlement to security and happiness.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Cultural Anthropology

    1021 Words  | 5 Pages

    Cultural Anthropology is the study of human beings, their behavior and how patterns in their language, personalities, gender, family, art, politics or rituals learned from being a part of a certain society gives meaning to their existence and affects how they organize their lives. Culture Involves Concepts, Generalizations, Abstractions, Assumptions, and Ideas. The ants are locked into the specifics of their nest-building behavior. It must work the same all the time. If some important variable is different, the ants cannot make specific adjustments.

    Read More

  • Essay On Modern Relationships

    965 Words  | 4 Pages

    The first key part studies the cultural influences on marriage, starting with our societies plethora of options. The overabundance of everyday choices leads people to constantly assess their decisions and

    Read More

More about Personal Narrative: My Personal Identity

Open Document