Commodity Fetishism in Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence :: Edith Wharton Age Innocence Essays

Commodity Fetishism in Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence Commodity fetishism is a term first coined by Karl Marx in his 1867 economic treatise, Das Kapital. It takes two words, one with a historically economic bent and another with a historically religious bent, and combines them to form a critical term describing post-industrial revolution, capitalist economies. Specifically, this term was used to describe the application of special powers or ideas to products that carried no such inherent value. In Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, old New York society is dissected as if the book were a study in cultural anthropology. One of the critical elements of this society is its emphasis on material items. From Parisian dresses to brand name cigars, this society is particularly interested in what a member owns. A brief examination of how commodities affect the creation an identity and social order in Wharton’s New York will be endeavored. But first, commodity fetishism will be defined more specifically before we can apply Marx’s ideas to the novel. The comprising elements of this term will be examined to create a general understanding of the economic and social ideas that went into its creation. The term â€Å"commodity† is often considered to be synonymous with a â€Å"good,† any produced item, such as refined sugar or textiles (Spickard). Although this seems a decent, basic definition, a commodity actually refers to something useful that can be turned to commercial or other advantage. The key point here is that a good fails to be a commodity when it no longer has a commercial advantage. A pile of gold is only a commodity if someone agrees to buy it. The term â€Å"fetish†, despite the prevalent sexual connotations of today, actually has a religious origin. A fetish is any object that is believed to have special or magical powers, often associated with animistic or shamanistic religions. Thus, to make something a fetish is to infuse an inanimate or material object with special powers above and beyond that of its physical self. The concept of commodity fetishism, then, was used by Marx to describe the over-appraisal of commodities in a capitalist economy. What is Marx saying? How can something be â€Å"worth† more than it’s worth? This occurs when the â€Å"use value,† the natural capacity to satisfy a human want, of something is of different worth than its â€Å"exchange value,† the social capacity to be exchangeable for other commodities (Wenning).

Dyslexia

I have had many challenges in school because I have dyslexia with my reading and my writing and my teachers that have made it very difficult to handle school work and make the good grades that I have. I found out had dyslexia at the end of my first grad year. When I got home my mom told me I had dyslexia. I was very confused what it was and what it meant for me to get rid of it. My mom told me it was a learning disability I would have to work harder than ever one else to reach my goals and dreams of going to college.I had a harder time with my reading and writing witch maid it wear I had to ask help a lot more than the other kids all them stated to make jokes but I just rose to the challenge. As got older better at the things was not good at but the teachers just tried to keep me lower then what could do. The teachers would treat me different like was not smart as the other kids. They all was gave me less work sent out to the hall because the teacher dint like the way I spelled stuff or write. Let like was stupid like I could never be eke ever one else could never be as smart in school as them. Then my mom notice was starting to do relay bad in school so my mom and dad got me a tutored. She taught me how to dill with my dyslexia and the pain it brought me. With her help did better in school work started to do all the work that was assigned to me and making better grads then ever one else in the class. Started to get my convince up and made me fill smart know that can do en thing that I won't to do just have to work a little harder on it.I can go to college and do the job want to do just like en one else. I know would not be who am without my hard work and the supporters that helped me on the way. Am, most grateful for my parents and my tutored Mrs.. Hansen. My dyslexia thought me how to be a hard worker witch have to be in order to finish college and exceed in life. Will be read for en thing that life throes at me because of my dyslexia.

Conflict Resolution Under Domestic Violence - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 852 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/04/15 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Domestic Violence Essay Did you like this example? Conflict is ubiquitous. That is a fact of life. It is not limited to your workplace or your home or in a public setting, rather it involves situations and even intangibles. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Conflict Resolution Under Domestic Violence" essay for you Create order Per https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflict, conflict can be defined as a mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands. Contemporarily speaking, our society is a testament of conflicts or unrest as significantly attributable to humankinds doing. On a global scale, racialization, bullying, environment-related concerns and high crime rates have been ongoing constant fixtures in the headlines. In line with high crime rates, a research will be collated taking into account domestic violence and on how conflict and conflict resolution interrelate to it. Domestic Violence In general, domestic violence is quite broad in context although it can be defined as maltreatment that takes place in any interpersonal relationship, whether heterosexual or homosexual (Prittie, J. Hunter, N.). As per Prittie, J. Hunter, N., domestic violence, also known as Intimate Partner Violence, is often thought of as physical, but can also be sexual, financial, mental, and/or emotional in nature. The abuse can encompass anyone, a combination of, or all of the different types of abuse. The abuse itself is determined by the aggressor and is merely a function of their exertion of control over their victim. Often the aggressors main objective is to establish their dominance over their victim. Any injuries or pain inflicted upon their victim is secondary to this objective, merely a byproduct (Prittie, J. Hunter, N.). Certain theories have been conceptualized to explain the causes that provoke domestic violence: social learning, conflict theory, feminist theory, and attachment th eory. (Prittie, J. Hunter, N.) Social Learning Social learning pertains to embodying a behavior witnessed back in childhood. This could be well encompassed by a scenario wherein a son had been a battery victim in the hands of his father, and he grew up to have adapted the same style when arguing or imposing his case with his partner. Conflict Theory Conflict theory professes that conflict is inevitable in a group or a society, including families, and has a tendency to become more violent. Per https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/03/29/rapper-fabolous-facing-charges-domestic-violence-incident/469617002/, a more recent example is rapper Fabolous case wherein he is being charged of domestic violence, aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. Feminist Theory Feminist theory stresses out a sense of patriarchy in men to get and keep control over their female partners. Another example is with another rapper/RB singer Chris Brown. Who could have forgotten or missed out the domestic charges filed against him by his erstwhile girlfriend Rihanna? Attachment Theory Attachment theory relates to strength and closeness to be associated with violence at home. This can be attributed to implementing-discipline-gone-overboard at home which could escalate to far more serious charges such as battery, aggravated assault, or worse, manslaughter. However, this is not limited to the notion of implementing discipline since this could also be sexually-motivated, such as sexual advances or harassment. Conflict Resolution Conflict Resolution is conceptualized as the elimination of the perceived incompatibility between the opposing parties through negotiation by their representatives (Daniel Bar-Tal., (2000, p.351). It can also be defined as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict and retribution. On a given intimate partner relationship, at most, the female gender almost always turns out to be the victim under domestic violence. Hypothetically, one might deduce that it is motive that triggers such violent reaction/ action, along with poverty, alcohol and drug abuse as risk factors, however, on a bigger scale, there have been known strategies or approaches in order to minimize or negate the notion of domestic violence towards women (Jewkes, R., 2002, p. 1427). Creating a Climate of Non-tolerance of Intimate Partner Violence These cover comprehensive legislation on sex equality, intimate partner violence, sexual violence and sexual harassment. It also could involve training and monitoring the police and criminal justice system, raising awareness through media or social media and supporting community action or non-governmental organizations that assists abused women. Empowering Women and Improving Their Status in Society These include but are not limited to improving opportunities for womens employment, levels of female education and involvement in political activities. Reducing Use of Violence The concept speaks of reducing physical punishment in child rearing, legislate ban on corporal punishment, reducing portrayal of violence in media and gun-control activities. Research and Monitoring This involves allocation of funds to support research into development and assessment of interventions in all sectors. Conclusion Being a universal phenomenon, domestic violence should be dissected in context and understanding to be able to fully address its extent. On a personal level, to understand how the human brain reacts should be in the same degree with how an individual responds in a society. Conflict resolution is essential since it alleviates and prevents possible violence among parties, community or society. Both the government and every constituent should work together to be able to cope with such violence since this could agitate and add up to crime rate.