Michel Foucault, the twentieth century philosopher, brings a new perspective to the concepts of madness and power. He shows how the perception of the concept of madness changes in his “History of Madness”. In Classical Age, mad people were treated as animals and the aim was to tame them as they were a threat to the order of the society. However, in Renaissance that perception changed and the mad were started to be appreciated because madness was affiliated with knowledge. In the eighteenth century, it was seen as the disease of the society, not of the individual. In Peter Shaffer’s “Equus” the main character, Alan, is thought to be mad and the doctor Dysart starts questioning the characteristics of madness. First, Dysart sees Alan as a customer; however, at the end of the play, he criticizes his own profession as it aims to create normal people who are purified from their passions. The definition of power by Foucault is not restricted upon the oppressor and the oppressed as he focuses more on the subjects of power. According to Foucault in all kinds of relationships, the power exercises and it can be claimed that the prerequisite of the existence of the power is the people. Power cannot only be evaluated as something possessed by certain people, classes or institutions and Foucault criticizes that kind of understanding of power. In Shaffer’s “Equus”, the power operates between the doctor and the patient and within the family members. The doctor seems superior as the hospital provides an advantage as a panoptic machine. However, the patient starts establishing the course of events, and it can be seen that the patient gains the power. The parents of Alan are quite distinct from each other. Dora, Alan’s mother, is excessively religious, but Frank, Alan’s father, is an atheist and he puts the blame on religion in Alan’s case. Both parents contribute to the madness of Alan and become object, target, and the references. All in all, we are all subjects of power in the grand mechanism of power.
Posthumanism: Lecture for FOAR 701: 'Research Paradigms'Greg Downey
Lecture slides for FOAR701: 'Research Paradigms' on 'Posthumanism,' based in readings in cultural studies for Masters of Research course. Topics including posthumanism, transhumanism, inter-species relations, cyborg theory, and relevance for social and cultural theory.
One of the revolutionary ideas put forward by Foucault is the various measures of surveillance, to ensure discipline in a society. Such a consented voyeurism always has a panopticon structure. Foucault talks about the age old prison, and how such surveillance structures are employed in other institutions from mental asylums to public schools to ensure discipline. The 184 idea of a big brother watching has gained prominence today with the internet, satellites giving rise to a virtual panopticon today.
Posthumanism: Lecture for FOAR 701: 'Research Paradigms'Greg Downey
Lecture slides for FOAR701: 'Research Paradigms' on 'Posthumanism,' based in readings in cultural studies for Masters of Research course. Topics including posthumanism, transhumanism, inter-species relations, cyborg theory, and relevance for social and cultural theory.
One of the revolutionary ideas put forward by Foucault is the various measures of surveillance, to ensure discipline in a society. Such a consented voyeurism always has a panopticon structure. Foucault talks about the age old prison, and how such surveillance structures are employed in other institutions from mental asylums to public schools to ensure discipline. The 184 idea of a big brother watching has gained prominence today with the internet, satellites giving rise to a virtual panopticon today.
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI)inventionjournals
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Humanities and Social Science. IJHSSI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Humanities and Social Science, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online
The Depiction of the Metaphysical in German and African Fiction: a study of s...iosrjce
IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal edited by International Organization of Scientific Research (IOSR).The Journal provides a common forum where all aspects of humanities and social sciences are presented. IOSR-JHSS publishes original papers, review papers, conceptual framework, analytical and simulation models, case studies, empirical research, technical notes etc.
This study focuses on the listening anxiety experienced by teacher candidates (TCs) in Iran and Turkey. Using different data collection methods, including two questionnaires, listening test, and semi-structured interviews, this study tried to investigate the factors behind Foreign Language Listening Anxiety (FLLA) among Iranian teacher candidates (TCs). The participants of the study in Iran context were 29 teacher candidates studying at BA level in English Language Teaching. All of the participants were asked to complete these two questionnaires with the background information regarding their age, gender, years of language study. The participants’ answers to FLLAS and FLCAS were analyzed with spss to obtain frequencies and percentages. The results were compared to the same study by Bekleyen. The findings revealed that Iranian TCs experienced a high level of FLLA compared to Turkish TCs and showed a significant positive correlation between FLLA and FLCA, which means that teacher candidates with higher levels of language anxiety tended to have higher levels of listening anxiety. In addition, interview data suggested that Iranian and Turkish participants’ FLLA mostly originated from the same source: inadequacy of past education in listening skill. Furthermore, practice was the most frequent strategy used by participants in these two countries to overcome this kind of anxiety.
The main thrust of this paper is to examine the issue of racial segregation in Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” via exploring the poem in relation to the circumstances that typify life and existence in the African American context. An attempt is made to situate this poem within the heat of racism, oppression, and class discrimination as well as the search for black identity. The paper relies on New Historicism as the scope of exploration owing to the chunk of influence that history and society bears on African American writing. Then literary critical analysis is made to verify the different aspects of racism and social segregation as represented in the poem.
This article provides an overview of existing instruments measuring self-efficacy for English language learning in both first and second language acquisition fields and their reliability and validity evidence. It also describes the development and use of the Questionnaire of English Language Self-Efficacy (QESE) scale, designed specifically for English language learners (ELLs), and presents an overview of the research findings from empirical studies related to its psychometric properties. A growing body of literature has begun to document encouraging evidence of ELL students’ self-efficacy belief measures and the utility of the QESE in particular. The information pertaining to the QESE is quite encouraging from measurement perspectives and fills the gap in the literature by providing a reliable and valid instrument to measure ELLs’ self-efficacy in various cultures. This paper concludes with evidence for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, structural, generalizability, and external aspects of the construct validity of the QESE. This paper contributes to the growing interest in these skills by reviewing the measures of self-efficacy in the field of second-language acquisition and the findings of empirical research on the development and use of a self-efficacy scale for ELLs.
This study examines written errors in a corpus of 30 compositions produced by 15 students of English as a second language (L2), whose first language (L1) is Spanish. Their ages range from 10 to 11. This paper identifies grammar errors as the most frequent due to L1’s interference in L2 learning. Positive, focused, indirect written feedback is proven to be the most effective, and the L1 seems to help the students to understand the teacher’s metalinguistic explanation to correct errors and avoid mistakes. These results provide insight into language learning given that they offer information regarding the teaching practice.
Reading without proper guidance from the perspective of discourse analysis will be a challenge and torture for English readers. However, most college students are suffering from this sort of tedious reading dilemma due to a sense of failure and anxiety as a result of an inefficient teaching approach. In this paper, the author tries to combine discourse analysis with reading coaching so as to arouse and promote readers’ sense of discourse, with the hope of helping them to read effectively.
In her cross-border debate with Chinese anchor Liu Xin, Trish Regan, an American anchor, behaved differently than what she had done in her previous commentaries. This paper explores the attitudinal differences evinced by Trish Regan on different occasions from a linguistic perspective. Based on the Appraisal System, especially the Attitude subsystem (Martin and White, 2005), this paper examines the attitudinal resources utilized by Trish Regan in her two news commentaries and her online debate with her counterpart Liu Xin—a set of texts which provides a longitudinal account of how Trish has changed her attitude. By annotating the attitude resources used by Trish, positive and negative evaluations are expected to be clarified, with detailed analyses of subsystems in the Attitude System to be given. The results suggest that Trish’s attitude towards China has changed a lot in her commentaries and the debate with Liu Xin—from negative to partly positive. It also appears that Trish maintained a positive attitude towards the United States while she changed her positive attitude towards the trade war into a negative one in her debate with Liu Xin.
The present study examines the role that feedback plays on the development of second language (L2) English learners’ writing accuracy over time. Earlier formal accounts and empirical works have focused on the relevance of corrective feedback (CF) in L2 writing learning (Ellis et al., 2008; Sheen, 2007), and what kind of CF (i.e. direct or indirect) has proved to be the most effective one, especially at low L2 levels (García Mayo and Labandibar, 2017; Ismail et al., 2008). We have analyzed 3 pieces of writing produced by 8 L2 English participants (aged 11 to 12). The participants were randomly divided into two groups, one of them received direct CF on their written tasks and the other group was exposed to indirect CF. Results revealed that both groups seemed to improve their mean scores from the pre-task to the post-task, regardless of the type of CF implemented. However, the direct CF group has proven to benefit more from teacher’s written CF, when compared to the indirect CF group. This is especially the case in the development of grammar accuracy.
Politics is a genre of language, and language is the manifestation of politics (Mazrui, 2008). Political discourse not only plays an important role in the process of national external communication but also conveys certain ideology and political intentions. Based on interpersonal function in Systemic Functional Grammar and using President Xi’s speech at the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit as the original data, this paper analyzes and explores how this speech can achieve discourse function through personal pronouns, mood, and modality. In addition, this paper reveals how various linguistic resources are used to realize interpersonal meaning in political discourse.
There is an obvious tendency and ample evidence to show Sylvia Plath’s representation of the gendered body throughout her poetry. However, inadequate attention has been paid to the evolution of her such kind of representation. Taking one of her early poems “Pursuit” and a later one “Daddy” as examples, this essay aims to explicate this evolution of representation. In her early poetry, her representation of gendered body centers on Freudian interest as seen in “Pursuit,” but in her later poems this representation changes to her political consciousness as is the case in “Daddy.” Therefore, this evolution embodies both her change of poetic subject matter and her concern with gender politics under the influence of the social culture.
Under the guidance of the theory of theme and rheme as well as thematic progression patterns, two significant components in Systemic Functional Linguistics, this paper discusses the thematic structure and thematic progression patterns of the Queen’s national speech “We will meet again!” which was delivered on April 5, 2020, when both England and the rest of the world were in the throes of the growing pandemic. With the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods, their distributions and the reasons are explored to figure out the thematic features, the effects, or the functions that have been achieved in Queen’s speech.
Pragmatic presupposition focuses on the study of the relationship between the speaker and the hearer at the time of communication and the language they used. It can effectively serve advertising language from the linguistic field. In other words, pragmatic presupposition can meet some of the requirements of the advertisements. Nowadays people confront a variety of commercial advertisements, such as food advertisements, drink advertisements, digital product and cosmetic advertisements, etc. In fact, advertising language is the core factor which determines the success or failure of one commercial advertisement. Most domestic and overseas scholars have studied advertising language through cooperative principles,rhetoric and systemic-functional grammar, etc. However, they do not pay enough attention to the pragmatic presupposition manifested in both Chinese and English cosmetic advertisements. Therefore, this paper conducts a comparative study based on previous studies of pragmatic presupposition with new data. The data analyzed in this study are taken from some major fashion magazines in America, United Kingdom and China, such as VOGUE, Cosmopolitan,Trends health,etc. These cosmetic advertisements were advertised in the recent 20 years. Through the analysis, it is found that there is no significant difference between Chinese and English cosmetic advertisements in terms of types of pragmatic presupposition manifested. Both Chinese and English advertisers mainly adopt four types of pragmatic presupposition: existential presupposition, factive presupposition, state presupposition and behavior presupposition, and state presupposition takes up the largest proportion. The present study provides a more comprehensive analysis of pragmatic presupposition and classification of it. In addition, the results of this study also could help advertisers and consumers increase their mutual understanding.
This paper analyses the structure patterns of code-switching quantitatively and qualitatively based on EFL classroom discourse. Through the detailed analysis, the paper finds that there are different structure patterns in which teachers often switch their codes in English classroom. These structure patterns are reflected in different language levels: words and phrases level, clausal and sentence level. The functions of code-switching are determined by those structure patterns that teachers will choose for different purposes in the process of teaching.
As an open social recourse and special language text, linguistic landscape, visibility and salience of languages on public and commercial signs in a given territory or region Landry and Bourhis (1997), and presented on various signs or billboards publicly, can be used as a useful recourse in language learning. Shenzhen, the first Chinese special economic zone, has developed into a fast-growing innovative city. Compared to other cities, Shenzhen has more frequent communications with worldwide visitors. Therefore, its education should be more international and advanced, especially English learning, since English, the most widely used language, is being used in linguistic landscapes increasingly. However, nowadays tedious English learning content and learning methods are unable to meet training requirements of students’ English level in society. Therefore, considering the significance of linguistic landscape in humanities construction and English learning, the government and schools give great importance to the construction of campus linguistic landscape. Through reference to representative research literatures and comparative analysis, this study intends to explore the importance of linguistic landscape in English learning by analyzing differences in campus linguistic landscape between middle schools and universities within Shenzhen from the form and content by introducing the way in which linguistic landscape is presented. And different purposes of its application are introduced in order to understand the application and design of linguistic landscape in different campuses more comprehensively. The research also explores the influence of campus linguistic landscape on students’ English learning, from the perspective of informal environmental penetration, learning material, stirring interest, broadening vocabulary and knowledge and its close relationship with life. This paper adopts the Constructivist learning theory of Piaget (1970). Students establish knowledge about the external world in the process of interaction with the surrounding environment to develop their cognitive structure. This paper concludes that the integration of linguistic landscape can benefit from its educational function to conduct a practice-oriented, teacher-led and student-centered pattern of English learning and improve students’ English learning ability.
Given Folding Beijing’s great importance to Chinese science fictions after winning the 2016 Hugo Award for Best Novelette and Ken Liu’s active engagement in promoting modern Chinese literary works to go global, this paper endeavors to explain how the influences of ideology, poetics and patronage are displayed in Folding Beijing’s English translation from the perspective of Lefevere’s Rewriting Theory. Instead of focusing on the linguistic elements of the translation, the current study attempts to reveal the cultural, social, ideological, and poetical effects on the translator’s decision-making process and tries to explore the reasons for the novelette’s success. It is believed that this paper can, to a certain extent, not only provide beneficial guidance for future practitioners in this translation field, but also offer some reference for the study of translation of Chinese contemporary science fictions.
Speaking in English confidently is a challenging task but very crucial for university students. Graduates with good communication efficiency especially in the engineering field are greatly demanded in the current work industry. Performing confidently is not only important for scoring academic tasks but also to help expand the revenue of the companies at workplace. Thus, a pilot study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of a public technical university engineering undergraduates’ confidence level in speaking English. A mixed method design was employed where a survey and semi-structured interview were conducted for data collection. The participants were selected using purposive sampling method where a total number of 50 undergraduates provided valid responses to the online questionnaire and 5 undergraduates participated in the semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for the Social Science Version 25.0 (SPSS version 25.0) and thematic analysis were adopted for data analyses. The results revealed three main areas that were identified as important to build the students’ confidence in speaking: applying manual skills, familiarization of vocabulary and correct usage of grammar. The findings also highlighted that the participants felt that more public speaking practices should be provided to them to improve their confidence level further in speaking English fluently.
This article is mainly focused on the protagonist Savitri of the novel The Dark Room and how she is alienated from herself, from the society and from the world and about her quest for marital identity. Savitri also goes through the crisis of discontent to the quest for happiness. Savitri of the ancient legend is a paragon of virtue and courage who confronts even Death to save her husband is finally victorious. Ironically unlike the legendary Savitri, Narayan’s Savitri chooses to leave home, husband and children once she comes to know of her husband’s infidelity. Contrary to the legend, Savitri is just an ordinary, amiable, housewife. She abandons her gambler and drunkard husband and her family. But her independence proves detrimental to Savitri’s familial peace. Narayan skillfully portrays her every action and in his ironic subtle fashion puts across the artificiality behind it. As a qualitative research, this researcher has taken the text as a ptimary source and interpreted it from existential point of view.
This study aims at stylistically analyzing Men in the Sun in terms of the use of rhetorical questions and polyphony. The main objective is to show the contribution of these stylistic features (rhetorical questions and use of polyphony) in construing meaning and heightening the aesthetic values of novella and show how focus on specific stylistic features helps in analyzing a literary text. The researchers used the analytical approach to examine how the use of rhetorical questions and polyphony helps in constructing the meaning of the novella and highlighting its main themes. This study will be helpful to students of literature who want to better understand stylistic analysis and how writers use stylistic devices to enhance the meaning they want to convey. The study could also serve as a springboard for further studies in this area and could promote academic discourse on stylistic analysis of various Arabic literary works in English translation.
Genesis claims that ancient languages were divinely diversified as the linguistic origin. In consistence, this article presents systematic evidence for biblical etymology related to all major body parts and organs. For instance, heart is to heat, brain is to burn, kidney is to kindle burnt offering, and muscle is to slice to the multiple. Sandal is sacred land, scared is sacred scarf, and tragedy is to tear garment. Both objective and abstract words exhibit biblical match, such as random and ransom as escaping scapegoat randomly chosen. Biblical etymology of morals 德, love 愛, real真, eternity 永, memory, necessity 必, secret 秘, accident, pardon 恕 and mister is also presented. Novel interpretation in biblical etymology is also presented for several affixes such as 辰, 者, per, and m/l+vowel+n. In definitive etymology, numerous words such as generation, espionage, pregnancy and agriculture are presented to bilingually match bible, especially the scripture of Moses, reflecting divine creation.
In a consumer society, "discourse" has become a way of creation. The narrative of object sets a new perspective, showing the non-material components of the material as much as possible, and people’s positive attitude towards the narrative mode also changes the focus of fashion design work. It is intended to analyze clothing narrative from the three aspects of fashion narrative suggestion, discourse structure and how fashion narrative is consumed.
Regarding the origin of language, Genesis claims that ancient languages were divinely diversified. This testimony presents systematic evidence for biblical etymology related to prophet and priest. Priesthood was pivotal in ancient culture, and religious worship is central to civilization. This testimony presents systematic and surprising evidence for relationship of prophet and priest to biblical etymology, indicating that the old testament culture and method of worship are extensively reflected by etymology of words.
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Young Tom Selleck: A Journey Through His Early Years and Rise to Stardomgreendigital
Introduction
When one thinks of Hollywood legends, Tom Selleck is a name that comes to mind. Known for his charming smile, rugged good looks. and the iconic mustache that has become synonymous with his persona. Tom Selleck has had a prolific career spanning decades. But, the journey of young Tom Selleck, from his early years to becoming a household name. is a story filled with determination, talent, and a touch of luck. This article delves into young Tom Selleck's life, background, early struggles. and pivotal moments that led to his rise in Hollywood.
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Early Life and Background
Family Roots and Childhood
Thomas William Selleck was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 29, 1945. He was the second of four children in a close-knit family. His father, Robert Dean Selleck, was a real estate investor and executive. while his mother, Martha Selleck, was a homemaker. The Selleck family relocated to Sherman Oaks, California. when Tom was a child, setting the stage for his future in the entertainment industry.
Education and Early Interests
Growing up, young Tom Selleck was an active and athletic child. He attended Grant High School in Van Nuys, California. where he excelled in sports, particularly basketball. His tall and athletic build made him a standout player, and he earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Southern California (U.S.C.). While at U.S.C., Selleck studied business administration. but his interests shifted toward acting.
Discovery of Acting Passion
Tom Selleck's journey into acting was serendipitous. During his time at U.S.C., a drama coach encouraged him to try acting. This nudge led him to join the Hills Playhouse, where he began honing his craft. Transitioning from an aspiring athlete to an actor took time. but young Tom Selleck became drawn to the performance world.
Early Career Struggles
Breaking Into the Industry
The path to stardom was a challenging one for young Tom Selleck. Like many aspiring actors, he faced many rejections and struggled to find steady work. A series of minor roles and guest appearances on television shows marked his early career. In 1965, he debuted on the syndicated show "The Dating Game." which gave him some exposure but did not lead to immediate success.
The Commercial Breakthrough
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Selleck began appearing in television commercials. His rugged good looks and charismatic presence made him a popular brand choice. He starred in advertisements for Pepsi-Cola, Revlon, and Close-Up toothpaste. These commercials provided financial stability and helped him gain visibility in the industry.
Struggling Actor in Hollywood
Despite his success in commercials. breaking into large acting roles remained a challenge for young Tom Selleck. He auditioned and took on small parts in T.V. shows and movies. Some of his early television appearances included roles in popular series like Lancer, The F.B.I., and Bracken's World. But, it would take a
Create a Seamless Viewing Experience with Your Own Custom OTT Player.pdfGenny Knight
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240529_Teleprotection Global Market Report 2024.pdfMadhura TBRC
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Tom Selleck Net Worth: A Comprehensive Analysisgreendigital
Over several decades, Tom Selleck, a name synonymous with charisma. From his iconic role as Thomas Magnum in the television series "Magnum, P.I." to his enduring presence in "Blue Bloods," Selleck has captivated audiences with his versatility and charm. As a result, "Tom Selleck net worth" has become a topic of great interest among fans. and financial enthusiasts alike. This article delves deep into Tom Selleck's wealth, exploring his career, assets, endorsements. and business ventures that contribute to his impressive economic standing.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
The Foundation of Tom Selleck's Wealth
Born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, Tom Selleck grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. His journey towards building a large net worth began with humble origins. , Selleck pursued a business administration degree at the University of Southern California (USC) on a basketball scholarship. But, his interest shifted towards acting. leading him to study at the Hills Playhouse under Milton Katselas.
Minor roles in television and films marked Selleck's early career. He appeared in commercials and took on small parts in T.V. series such as "The Dating Game" and "Lancer." These initial steps, although modest. laid the groundwork for his future success and the growth of Tom Selleck net worth. Breakthrough with "Magnum, P.I."
The Role that Defined Tom Selleck's Career
Tom Selleck's breakthrough came with the role of Thomas Magnum in the CBS television series "Magnum, P.I." (1980-1988). This role made him a household name and boosted his net worth. The series' popularity resulted in Selleck earning large salaries. leading to financial stability and increased recognition in Hollywood.
"Magnum P.I." garnered high ratings and critical acclaim during its run. Selleck's portrayal of the charming and resourceful private investigator resonated with audiences. making him one of the most beloved television actors of the 1980s. The success of "Magnum P.I." played a pivotal role in shaping Tom Selleck net worth, establishing him as a major star.
Film Career and Diversification
Expanding Tom Selleck's Financial Portfolio
While "Magnum, P.I." was a cornerstone of Selleck's career, he did not limit himself to television. He ventured into films, further enhancing Tom Selleck net worth. His filmography includes notable movies such as "Three Men and a Baby" (1987). which became the highest-grossing film of the year, and its sequel, "Three Men and a Little Lady" (1990). These box office successes contributed to his wealth.
Selleck's versatility allowed him to transition between genres. from comedies like "Mr. Baseball" (1992) to westerns such as "Quigley Down Under" (1990). This diversification showcased his acting range. and provided many income streams, reinforcing Tom Selleck net worth.
Television Resurgence with "Blue Bloods"
Sustaining Wealth through Consistent Success
In 2010, Tom Selleck began starring as Frank Reagan i
Scandal! Teasers June 2024 on etv Forum.co.zaIsaac More
Monday, 3 June 2024
Episode 47
A friend is compelled to expose a manipulative scheme to prevent another from making a grave mistake. In a frantic bid to save Jojo, Phakamile agrees to a meeting that unbeknownst to her, will seal her fate.
Tuesday, 4 June 2024
Episode 48
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Wednesday, 5 June 2024
Episode 49
A woman fabricates a diabolical lie to cover up an indiscretion. Overwhelmed by guilt, she makes a spontaneous confession that could be devastating to another heart.
Thursday, 6 June 2024
Episode 50
Linda unwittingly discloses damning information. Nhlamulo and Vuvu try to guide their friend towards the right decision.
Friday, 7 June 2024
Episode 51
Jojo's life continues to spiral out of control. Dintle weaves a web of lies to conceal that she is not as successful as everyone believes.
Monday, 10 June 2024
Episode 52
A heated confrontation between lovers leads to a devastating admission of guilt. Dintle's desperation takes a new turn, leaving her with dwindling options.
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
Episode 53
Unable to resort to violence, Taps issues a verbal threat, leaving Mdala unsettled. A sister must explain her life choices to regain her brother's trust.
Wednesday, 12 June 2024
Episode 54
Winnie makes a very troubling discovery. Taps follows through on his threat, leaving a woman reeling. Layla, oblivious to the truth, offers an incentive.
Thursday, 13 June 2024
Episode 55
A nosy relative arrives just in time to thwart a man's fatal decision. Dintle manipulates Khanyi to tug at Mo's heartstrings and get what she wants.
Friday, 14 June 2024
Episode 56
Tlhogi is shocked by Mdala's reaction following the revelation of their indiscretion. Jojo is in disbelief when the punishment for his crime is revealed.
Monday, 17 June 2024
Episode 57
A woman reprimands another to stay in her lane, leading to a damning revelation. A man decides to leave his broken life behind.
Tuesday, 18 June 2024
Episode 58
Nhlamulo learns that due to his actions, his worst fears have come true. Caiphus' extravagant promises to suppliers get him into trouble with Ndu.
Wednesday, 19 June 2024
Episode 59
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Thursday, 20 June 2024
Episode 60
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Friday, 21 June 2024
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Episode 62
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In the vast landscape of cinema, stories have been told, retold, and reimagined in countless ways. At the heart of this narrative evolution lies the concept of a "remake". A successful remake allows us to revisit cherished tales through a fresh lens, often reflecting a different era's perspective or harnessing the power of advanced technology. Yet, the question remains, what makes a remake successful? Today, we will delve deeper into this subject, identifying the key ingredients that contribute to the success of a remake.
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From Slave to Scourge: The Existential Choice of Django Unchained. The Philos...Rodney Thomas Jr
#SSAPhilosophy #DjangoUnchained #DjangoFreeman #ExistentialPhilosophy #Freedom #Identity #Justice #Courage #Rebellion #Transformation
Welcome to SSA Philosophy, your ultimate destination for diving deep into the profound philosophies of iconic characters from video games, movies, and TV shows. In this episode, we explore the powerful journey and existential philosophy of Django Freeman from Quentin Tarantino’s masterful film, "Django Unchained," in our video titled, "From Slave to Scourge: The Existential Choice of Django Unchained. The Philosophy of Django Freeman!"
From Slave to Scourge: The Existential Choice of Django Unchained – The Philosophy of Django Freeman!
Join me as we delve into the existential philosophy of Django Freeman, uncovering the profound lessons and timeless wisdom his character offers. Through his story, we find inspiration in the power of choice, the quest for justice, and the courage to defy oppression. Django Freeman’s philosophy is a testament to the human spirit’s unyielding drive for freedom and justice.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to SSA Philosophy for more in-depth explorations of the philosophies behind your favorite characters. Hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest videos. Let’s discover the principles that shape these icons and the profound lessons they offer.
Django Freeman’s story is one of the most compelling narratives of transformation and empowerment in cinema. A former slave turned relentless bounty hunter, Django’s journey is not just a physical liberation but an existential quest for identity, justice, and retribution. This video delves into the core philosophical elements that define Django’s character and the profound choices he makes throughout his journey.
Link to video: https://youtu.be/GszqrXk38qk
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Monday, June 3, 2024 - Episode 241: Sergeant Rathebe nabs a top scammer in Turfloop. Meikie is furious at her uncle's reaction to the truth about Ntswaki.
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 - Episode 242: Babeile uncovers the truth behind Rathebe’s latest actions. Leeto's announcement shocks his employees, and Ntswaki’s ordeal haunts her family.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - Episode 243: Rathebe blocks Babeile from investigating further. Melita warns Eunice to stay clear of Mr. Kgomo.
Thursday, June 6, 2024 - Episode 244: Tbose surrenders to the police while an intruder meddles in his affairs. Rathebe's secret mission faces a setback.
Friday, June 7, 2024 - Episode 245: Rathebe’s antics reach Kganyago. Tbose dodges a bullet, but a nightmare looms. Mr. Kgomo accuses Melita of witchcraft.
Monday, June 10, 2024 - Episode 246: Ntswaki struggles on her first day back at school. Babeile is stunned by Rathebe’s romance with Bullet Mabuza.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - Episode 247: An unexpected turn halts Rathebe’s investigation. The press discovers Mr. Kgomo’s affair with a young employee.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 - Episode 248: Rathebe chases a criminal, resorting to gunfire. Turf High is rife with tension and transfer threats.
Thursday, June 13, 2024 - Episode 249: Rathebe traps Kganyago. John warns Toby to stop harassing Ntswaki.
Friday, June 14, 2024 - Episode 250: Babeile is cleared to investigate Rathebe. Melita gains Mr. Kgomo’s trust, and Jacobeth devises a financial solution.
Monday, June 17, 2024 - Episode 251: Rathebe feels the pressure as Babeile closes in. Mr. Kgomo and Eunice clash. Jacobeth risks her safety in pursuit of Kganyago.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 - Episode 252: Bullet Mabuza retaliates against Jacobeth. Pitsi inadvertently reveals his parents’ plans. Nkosi is shocked by Khwezi’s decision on LJ’s future.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - Episode 253: Jacobeth is ensnared in deceit. Evelyn is stressed over Toby’s case, and Letetswe reveals shocking academic results.
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - Episode 254: Elizabeth learns Jacobeth is in Mpumalanga. Kganyago's past is exposed, and Lehasa discovers his son is in KZN.
Friday, June 21, 2024 - Episode 255: Elizabeth confirms Jacobeth’s dubious activities in Mpumalanga. Rathebe lies about her relationship with Bullet, and Jacobeth faces theft accusations.
Monday, June 24, 2024 - Episode 256: Rathebe spies on Kganyago. Lehasa plans to retrieve his son from KZN, fearing what awaits.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - Episode 257: MaNtuli fears for Kwaito’s safety in Mpumalanga. Mr. Kgomo and Melita reconcile.
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - Episode 258: Kganyago makes a bold escape. Elizabeth receives a shocking message from Kwaito. Mrs. Khoza defends her husband against scam accusations.
Thursday, June 27, 2024 - Episode 259: Babeile's skillful arrest changes the game. Tbose and Kwaito face a hostage crisis.
Friday, June 28, 2024 - Episode 260: Two women face the reality of being scammed. Turf is rocked by breaking
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From the Editor's Desk: 115th Father's day Celebration - When we see Father's day in Hindu context, Nanda Baba is the most vivid figure which comes to the mind. Nanda Baba who was the foster father of Lord Krishna is known to provide love, care and affection to Lord Krishna and Balarama along with his wife Yashoda; Letter’s to the Editor: Mother's Day - Mother is a precious life for their children. Mother is life breath for her children. Mother's lap is the world happiness whose debt can never be paid.
1. English Literature and Language Review
ISSN(e): 2412-1703, ISSN(p): 2413-8827
Vol. 3, No. 12, pp: 112-117, 2017
URL: http://arpgweb.com/?ic=journal&journal=9&info=aims
112
Academic Research Publishing Group
A Foucauldian Reading of Peter Shaffer’s Equus
Serap Denizer Bozkurt Department of English Language and Literature, Institute of Social Sciences, Kocaeli University,
Turkey
1. Introduction
The 20th
century philosopher Michel Foucault unveils how the power operates within all kinds of
relationships in the society in his major works such as The History of Madness, The Birth of the Clinic, The
Archaeology of Knowledge and The History of Sexuality. He defines power and categorizes it; however, he does not
divide people into two camps as the oppressor and oppressed. Instead, he brings a new perspective to the concept of
power. He makes a detailed research on how power is imposed upon people via some institutions such as army,
school, hospital and asylum. Schaffer (1973) play ―Equus‖, written in 1973, takes place in an institution where the
psychiatrists are trying to normalize people by making them compatible with the social norms. It is a story of a
seventeen-year-old boy who blinds six horses with a metal spike as they have, in a way, witnessed the sexual
intercourse that he has failed to have with a girl called Jill. He has a great obsession with horses, and the Latin word
for the horse, ―Equus,‖ becomes the representative of God for him. Nevertheless, the play does not only focus on
Alan who committed this extreme crime. After the sessions he has with Alan, Martin Dysart, the psychiatrist also
starts to question his life and the fundamentals of his profession. Two different value systems; Apollonian and
Dionysian are portrayed in the play by Alan and Dysart. This paper aims to analyse the concept of madness and
power relations in the light of Michel Foucault‘s works.
2. Analysis: The Concept of Madness
In the 21st
century, it is admitted that madness is a kind of mental disease; however, as Khalfa (2006) states in
the introduction of History of Madness, ―history of madness is not the history of a disease‖ (xv). Only in the modern
phase that corresponds with the end of the eighteenth century, ―[m]adness has now become the exclusive object of a
medical perception. … the mad are now locked up in order to be cured‖ (xviii). This has been ―the modern
experience of madness‖ and it is quite different from the earlier practices (xv). For example, in Renaissance madness
was associated with knowledge; however, before the Renaissance, in his book titled Michel Foucault, Barry Smart
claims that:
Abstract: Michel Foucault, the twentieth century philosopher, brings a new perspective to the concepts of
madness and power. He shows how the perception of the concept of madness changes in his ―History of
Madness‖. In Classical Age, mad people were treated as animals and the aim was to tame them as they were a
threat to the order of the society. However, in Renaissance that perception changed and the mad were started to
be appreciated because madness was affiliated with knowledge. In the eighteenth century, it was seen as the
disease of the society, not of the individual. In Peter Shaffer‘s ―Equus‖ the main character, Alan, is thought to
be mad and the doctor Dysart starts questioning the characteristics of madness. First, Dysart sees Alan as a
customer; however, at the end of the play, he criticizes his own profession as it aims to create normal people
who are purified from their passions. The definition of power by Foucault is not restricted upon the oppressor
and the oppressed as he focuses more on the subjects of power. According to Foucault in all kinds of
relationships, the power exercises and it can be claimed that the prerequisite of the existence of the power is
the people. Power cannot only be evaluated as something possessed by certain people, classes or institutions
and Foucault criticizes that kind of understanding of power. In Shaffer‘s ―Equus‖, the power operates between
the doctor and the patient and within the family members. The doctor seems superior as the hospital provides
an advantage as a panoptic machine. However, the patient starts establishing the course of events, and it can be
seen that the patient gains the power. The parents of Alan are quite distinct from each other. Dora, Alan‘s
mother, is excessively religious, but Frank, Alan‘s father, is an atheist and he puts the blame on religion in
Alan‘s case. Both parents contribute to the madness of Alan and become object, target, and the references. All
in all, we are all subjects of power in the grand mechanism of power.
Keywords: Madness; Power; Foucault; Equus; Drama.
2. English Literature and Language Review, 2017, 3(12): 112-117
113
[i]n the classical age madness was encompassed within the general experience of unreason, segregated along
with what were considered to be other forms of ‗social uselessness‘, that is classes of persons deemed to be a
threat to social order and morality. (Smart, 2002).
The mad were seen as a threat to the social order and they were defined with ―unreason‖ and there was another
characterization for them. Foucault defines madness in classical age with the ―image of bestiality‖ in History of
Madness (Foucault, 2006a). In classical age, madness was considered to be ―the direct relation between man and his
animality‖ (148). Foucault puts forward that:
The men chained to the walls of the cells were not seen as people who had lost their reason, but as beasts
filled with snarling, natural rage .... That model of animality slowly came to dominate the asylums, and
explained their cage-like, menagerie aspects. (147)
In classical age, the aim was not to cure these people, as Foucault identifies; the notion was that ―unchained
bestiality could only be tamed or trained” (149). Different practices were applied in this period, such as blood
transfusions, cold baths and corporal punishment. These people were chained and treated like savage animals. Some
of the societies gathered the mad and carried them to other cities to get rid of them, while the others used
confinement. What scared the societies most about the mad was not the mad people themselves; instead, the societies
were afraid of the uncontrollable state which can cause chaos, because as Foucault states ―madness was a space of
unpredictable liberty‖ (151). The negative notion about madness has turned into something positive in Renaissance
as it was associated with knowledge and in these periods madness was directly linked to the individual himself.
Nevertheless, in the eighteenth century, its scope expanded and covered the society:
Madness, in the view of the eighteenth century, was a disease, not of nature nor of man himself, but of
society. … Madness was only ever of the order of a consequence, the product of a life that had strayed from
the path of nature; it never called into question what was fundamental in man, his immediate belonging to
nature. (Foucault, 2006a).
In the eighteenth century, madness was no more the disease of an individual, but of society; however, the
essence of human, or the fundamentals in him, was not foregrounded yet. The inner dynamics of the people, the
characteristics that made them who they were were still ignored. This is what Doctor Martin Dysart questions in the
play ―Equus‖. At the very beginning of the play, he does not think that Alan will make such a great change in his
life:
Dysart: What did I expect of him? Very little, I promise you. One more dented little face. One more
adolescent freak. The usual unusual. One great thing about being in the adjustment business: you‘re never
short of customers. (Act I/2 21)
First, Dysart sees Alan as a customer; however, at the end of the play, he criticizes his own profession as it aims
to create normal people who are purified from their passions. His job is to create a person who is normal, ignoring
his characteristics and turning him into something lifeless:
Dysart: [crying out]: All right! I‘ll take it away! He‘ll be delivered from madness. What then? He‘ll feel
himself acceptable! What then? Do you think feelings like his can be simply re-attached, like plasters? Stuck
on to other objects we select? Look at him! …My desire might be to make this boy an ardent husband- a
caring citizen- a worshipper of abstract and unifying God. My achievement, however, is more likely to make
a ghost! (Act II/35 107)
The aim of the doctors is to create a stereotypical citizen who does not endanger the order established in the
society and that‘s the reason why madness has been seen as a danger more than a disease for ages. Dysart states ―I‘ll
give him the good Normal world … Passion you see, can be destroyed by a doctor. It cannot be created.‖ (Act II/35
108). He is aware of the fact that the institution he works for dehumanizes people by way of killing their strong
passions and he is also aware of the fact that he himself is controlled by the same institution. ―There is now, in my
mouth, this sharp chain. And it never comes out‖ (Act II/35 109). In Psychiatric Power, which is a collection of the
lectures given at the College De France in 1973 and 1974, Foucault suggests that:
[m]oreover, even the person in charge of a disciplinary system is caught up within a broader system in which
he is supervised in turn, and at the heart of which he is himself subject to discipline. There is then, I think, an
elimination of individualization at the top. (Foucault, 2006a)
Dysart is responsible for the asylum and the patients, but he is also in another and broader disciplinary system
and everyone without exception is bound up with this system; however, it can be claimed that Dysart is the one who
willingly lets the society put the chain in his mouth and Alan is the one who is forced to have it.
3. Analysis: The Concept of Power
The definition of power by Foucault is not restricted upon the oppressor and the oppressed as he focuses more
on the subjects of power and how it operates within the society. In the quotation below taken from Psychiatric
Power, Foucault draws attention to how power gets a hold on people by stating:
[w]hat is this power? I would like to advance the hypothesis that something like disciplinary power exists in
our society. By this I mean no more than a particular, as it were, terminal, capillary form of power; a final
relay, a particular modality by which political power, power in general, finally reaches the level of bodies and
gets a hold on them, taking actions, behavior, habits, and words into account …(Foucault, 2006a)
3. English Literature and Language Review, 2017, 3(12): 112-117
114
It can be stated that the power relations determine our behaviours, habits and the language we use. It penetrates into
all kinds of relationships established within the boundaries of the society. In her book, Michel Foucault, Sara Mills
puts forward that:
[t]hus, relations between parents and children, lovers, employers and employees – in short, all relations
between people – are power relations. In each interaction power is negotiated and one‘s position in a
hierarchy is established, however flexible, changing and ill-defined that hierarchy is. (Mills, 2003)
In all kinds of relationships, the power exercises and it can be claimed that the prerequisite of the existence of
the power is the people and ―Power must be analysed as something which circulates, or as something which only
functions in the form of a chain . . . Power is employed and exercised through a netlike organisation . . . Individuals
are the vehicles of power, not its points of application‖ (Foucault, 2006a; Mills, 2003). Power cannot only be
evaluated as something possessed by certain people, classes or institutions and Foucault criticizes that kind of
understanding of power. However, he focuses on the disciplinary regimes and institutions as Mills states:
[h]is [Foucault‘s] work on disciplinary regimes is of great interest, since rather than simply seeing regimes as
being oppressive, he analyses the way that regimes exercise power within a society through the use of a range
of different mechanisms and techniques. He analyses a range of different institutions such as the hospital, the
clinic, the prison and the university and sees a number of disciplinary practices which they seem to have in
common. (Mills, 2003)
Mills highlights the fact that Foucault does not merely see the regimes and institutions as oppressors, but he
analyzes them as they embody power relations profoundly. In his essay titled ―Discipline and Punish‖, Alan D.
Schrift advises us to treat power in Foucauldian aspect:
…as a strategy rather than a property; as something exercised rather than possessed; as existing in relations
rather than in things or persons; as in tension rather than contractually mediated; as operating at all levels of
the socius, not just in the relations between state and citizens, or between classes, or between superiors and
subordinates … (Schrift, 2013)
To be able to analyse the concept of power, one needs to have a wide perspective, as it effects all relations from
different levels of the society and people from all walks of life. The way the power operates in ―Equus‖ will be
analysed under two headings ―The power relation between the doctor and the patient‖ and ―The power relation
within the family‖.
a) The Power Relation between the Doctor and the Patient
Before analysing the power relation between the doctor and the patient, the setting, which lets the power
circulate freely, should be examined. In Psychiatric Power, Foucault defines the link between power and hospital
which is thought to be curing:
… it cures because the hospital is a panoptic machine, and it is as a panoptic apparatus that the hospital cures.
The hospital is in fact a machine for exercising power, for inducing, distributing, and applying power
according to Bentham‘s schema, even if, obviously, the specific architectural arrangements of Bentham‘s
design are modified. (Foucault, 2006b)
The hospital itself has the high potential of producing power and with some tools it put to use, it manages to turn
into a grand mechanism of power. In her essay, ―Power and the Subject‖ Amy Allen points at the tools of asylum as
follows: ―[t]hese real processes of the asylum – work, the gaze, silence, recognition as mirror, and perpetual
judgment – constituted a moral structure that was predicated on the organized guilt and shame of the madman‖
(Allen and Amy, 2013). The architecture of the hospitals and asylums allow power to float around and the subjects
of power; the doctor and the patient cannot isolate themselves from the pervasive effect of power. In conventional
perspective, the one who is subjected to power is the patient when the power relationship of the doctor and the
patient is analyzed, however, in Psychiatric Power Foucault claims that:
[b]ut, of course, the doctor's power is not the only power exercised, for in the asylum, as everywhere else,
power is never something that someone possesses, any more than it is something that emanates from
someone. Power does not belong to anyone or even to a group; there is only power because there is
dispersion, relays, networks, reciprocal supports, differences of potential, discrepancies, etcetera. It is in this
system of differences, which have to be analyzed, that power can start to function. (Foucault, 2006b)
In ―Equus‖, it can be clearly observed that both the doctor and the patient are subjects of power. The case of
Alan makes Dysart examine his own situation, his profession, his life and his marriage. The institution he works in is
a place where power exercises negatively and he is aware of it. Dysart salutes Hester Salomon saying ―[m]adam
Chairman! Welcome to the torture chamber!‖ (Act I/2 19). This line gives us the idea that Dysart is not content with
the place he works in. Actually, Dysart is trying to be compatible with the social norms, and on the surface he
manages it; however, he is not the person he seems to be. His dream is highly symbolic and reveals all his fears:
―That night, I had this very explicit dream. In it I‘m a chief priest in Homeric Greece. I‘m wearing a wide gold mask
… mask of Agamemnon. … – the damn mask begins to slip …‖ (Act I/5 24). He wears a mask in his dream and
when the mask begins to slip, he is afraid of being displayed. The mask hides his true identity which is not
compatible with the norms of the society. In the dialogue between Dysart and Hester, it can be seen that he yearns
for a life full of passion:
4. English Literature and Language Review, 2017, 3(12): 112-117
115
All right, he‘s sick. He‘s full of misery and fear. He was dangerous, and could be again, though I doubt it. But
that boy has known a passion more ferocious than I have felt in any second of my life. And let me tell you
something: I envy it. (Act II/25 82)
Dysart explicitly expresses his feelings exposed by Alan stating ―… I‘m jealous, Hester. Jealous of Alan Strang‖
(Act II/25 82). The passion that is not repressed in Alan makes Dysart envy him, as he gives up his passions to be a
socially acceptable citizen.
The doctor or the psychiatrist is the figure of authority in hospitals/asylums; however, this does not mean that
they are the only figures who impose power over others. When the sessions Alan and Dysart have had are examined,
it can be seen that power changes hands. Dysart tries to establish rules and exert dominance, but Alan does not allow
him to conduct the conversations. When Dysart asks him questions, he says: ―I‘ll answer if you answer. In turns‖
(Act I/9 37), and he establishes the course of events, and it can be seen that Alan, the patient, gains the power. He not
only seizes power, but also exploits it to disturb Dysart excessively, asking questions like ―Do you fuck your wife?‖
He also makes inquiries about Dysart‘s wife and tells him ―I know. Her name is Margaret. She‘s a dentist! You see, I
found out!‖ (Act I/16 59). Dysart also asks some disturbing questions, yet this is something ordinary. What is
extraordinary is the patient who examines the doctor and this situation accords with the notions of Foucault who
claims that power is not possessed by some certain people or classes.
Dysart uses some strategies in his sessions with Alan and these strategies enable power to operate. Foucault
defines the power exercised in asylum in Psychiatric Power as follows:
[n]ow the examples I have just given clearly prove that power as it is exercised in the asylum is a meticulous,
calculated power, the tactics and strategies of which are absolutely definite. (Foucault, 2006b)
One of the strategies employed by Dysart is hypnotism. He tries to make Alan calm down and focus on the
therapy; however, it is hard to convince Alan, as he is distracted easily. Dysart tries to draw his attention offering
him a game:
Dysart: Would you like to play a game? It could make you feel better.
Alan: What kind?
Dysart: It‘s called Blink. You have to fix your eyes on something: say, that little strain over there on the wall-
and I tap this pen on the desk. The first time I tap it, you close your eyes. The next time you open them. And
so on. … (Act I/19 64)
Alan likes the idea of games and plays them. The following lines by Dysart comfort Alan: ―Now your eyes are
feeling heavy. You want to sleep, don‘t you? You want a long, deep sleep. Have it. Your head is heavy. Very heavy.
Your shoulders are heavy. Sleep‖ (Act I/19 65). As Dysart applies hypnotism and the placebo effect by offering Alan
―truth pills‖, it can be claimed that power exercised within the asylum is a calculated power.
b) The Power Relation within the Family
Another institution where power controls and directs relationships is the smallest component of the society;
family. The teacher exercises power over student, the doctor over patient, men over women and, in the family, the
parents over the children. In ―Equus‖ the negative effect of the parents of Alan cannot be ignored and as Foucault
remarks in Psychiatric Power:
… in every family there are power relationships—which I would call the power of sovereignty, but it's not
important—which are incompatible with the cure of madness for two reasons. The first is that, in themselves,
these power relationships fuel the madness: … Consequently, individuals must be deprived of the situation of
power, of the points of support for their power in the family. (Foucault, 2006b)
Madness cannot be isolated from the power operating within the family, as it stirs up the madness. Foucault
believes that ―a psychiatric discourse‖ should be developed to find out ―a discourse of truth‖ that is what lies beneath
the madness (94). In this process, Foucault highlights the significance of the family with the words: ―the family—
family figures and family processes—is its fundamental object, target, and field of reference‖ (94). Dysart follows
the same route and tries to analyze the parents, the relationship between them and their relation with Alan. The
conversations between Dysart, Alan‘s mother Dora and his father Frank reveal how different the parents are. The
conversation between Dysart and Frank discloses the extremely different notions of both parents in terms of religion:
Dysart: Would you say she was closer to him than you are?
Frank: They‘ve always been thick as thieves, I can‘t say I entirely approve – especially when I hear her
whispering that Bible to him hour after hour, up there in his room.
Dysart: Your wife is religious?
Frank: Some might say excessively so. Mind you, that‘s her business.
…
Dysart: And you‘re non-religious, I take it?
Frank: I‘m an atheist, and I don‘t mind admitting it. If you want my opinion, it‘s the Bible that‘s responsible
for all this. (Act I/7 33)
Dora is excessively religious and she tries to give her son a religious education at home reading Bible for hours
to him. On the other hand, Frank is an atheist and he puts the blame on religion in Alan‘s case: ―The boy was
absolutely fascinated by all that. … Bloody religion- it‘s our only real problem in this house…‖ (Act I/7 34). Dora is
closer to her son, and she gives the sexual education, which is supposed to be given by the father to the son. Dysart
5. English Literature and Language Review, 2017, 3(12): 112-117
116
questions the sexual education of Alan as the crime he committed is somehow related to the issue of sex. Alan blinds
the horses because they witness the failed sexual intercourse with Jill:
Dysart [calmingly]: Mr Strang, exactly how informed do you judge your son to be about sex?
Frank: [tight] I don‘t know.
Dysart: You didn‘t actually instruct him yourself?
Frank: Not in so many words, no.
Dysart: Did you, Mrs Strang?
Dora: Well, I spoke a little, yes. I had to. I‘ve been a teacher, Doctor, and I know what happens if you don‘t.
They find out through magazines and dirty books. (Act I/7 34)
Dora states, ―[t]hat sex is not just a biological matter, but spiritual as well. That if God willed, he would fall in
love one day.‖ (Act I/7 35). Her obsession with religion influences her views on sex, which in return influences
Alan‘s psychosexual development. Feeling sexually attracted to horses makes Alan feel guilty because it does not
conform to the dominant heteronormative ideology. Ertin (2012) states that ―identity politics and heteronormative
policies survive thanks to the contribution of individuals, even if unintentional‖ since individuals are not only objects
configured by systems but also agents of those very systems (265). However, Frank is different from the mother, for
he does not give any sexual education to his son and does not try to impose on him any sort of ‗truth‘. Their
encounter at the porno theatre, as father and son, has destructive effects on Alan, and it is the same night that he
blinds the horses. Frank is the figure of authority at home, setting up the rules at home, forbidding the TV, and
criticizing Alan harshly by saying: ―[y]ou sit in front of that thing long enough, you‘ll become stupid for life-like
most of the population‖ [to Alan] (Act I/6 27). His father does not let him watch TV, but his mother lets him watch
when Frank is not at home. Frank‘s tone is always critical and harsh; he accuses Alan: ―You the son of a printer, and
never opening a book! If all the world was like you, I‘d be out of a job, if you receive my meaning!‖ (Act I/6 27).
The words ―if you receive my meaning‖ are repeated several times and Alan starts to use the exact words. The
incident that happened when Alan was twelve years old proves the repressive characteristics of the father. It is about
the painting hanging on Alan‘s wall and Dora tells the incident to the doctor:
Dora: It was a reproduction of Our Lord on his way to Calvary. … My husband was very displeased.
Dysart: Because it was religious?
…
Dora: … he went upstairs, tore it off the boy‘s wall and threw it in the dustbin. Alan went quite hysterical. He
cried for days without stopping… (Act I/11 45)
Frank tears the painting off and causes Alan to have a nervous breakdown; then he hangs a new picture; a
picture of a horse which has big eyes staring straight. Alan hates his father as he always tries to exert dominance
over him. Even in his dream, Alan sees his father commanding him what to do and restricts his freedom. In the
conversation between Dysart and Alan, Alan rises against him as he treats Alan like his father has treated him:
Dysart [sitting]: Tell me if you did.
…
Alan [yelling]: TELL ME!
[All the masks toss at the noise.]
Dysart: What?
Alan: Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me! … On and on, sitting there! Nosey Parker! That‘s all you are! Bloody
Nosey Parker! Just like Dad. On and on and bloody on! Tell me, tell me, tell me! … Answer this. Answer
that. Never stop!- (Act I/16 58)
The relationship of Alan with his parents is problematic, as his mother is intensely obsessed with religion and
his father is unheeding. The way they treat Alan must have a lasting impression over Alan because the painting of
the horse, which is replaced with the painting of Jesus Christ, makes him identify the God with the horse and he
starts worshipping horses. However, the idea of being watched by the God, in the shape of the horses, is something
Alan cannot handle. Both parents contribute to the madness of Alan and become object, target and the references.
(Foucault, 2006b).
4. Conclusion
Michel Foucault is a very prolific philosopher and he has contributed greatly to the 20th
century field of
philosophy with his frameworks such as discourse analysis, genealogy, power-knowledge, subjectivation, and
panopticism. In this article, the concept of madness and power are analyzed in the light of the works of Foucault. In
History of Madness, he clarifies how madness was defined in different periods throughout the history and in
Psychiatric Power, he defines how power is exercised in all kinds of relationships. ―Equus‖ is a shuddery play with
its content that is based on a true story; a young boy blinding six horses. The setting of the play is an asylum and this
institution aims to create socially acceptable people. The power relation between the doctor and the patient proves
the Foucauldian notion that power is not possessed by certain people or classes. It can be stated that even strong
persons can be subjected to power. When the power relation within the family is examined, Foucault‘s idea that
family is the reference of the madness can be confirmed. The parents of Alan, who are at odds with each other, ignite
the madness in Alan. The mother tries to enforce a religious life and the father tries to assume dominance over him.
Their attitude influences him negatively and causes him to develop an obsession with horses and blind six horses. It
would be fair to claim that the concepts of madness and power in ―Equus‖ accord with the statements of Foucault
6. English Literature and Language Review, 2017, 3(12): 112-117
117
profoundly.
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