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History- Book Review (Postcolonialism)
Book Review:
Post-colonialism by Robert Young
(Author’s name)
(Institutional Affiliation)
Date
Abstract
In his book, Post-colonialism: An Historical Introduction, Young examines how decolonization has affected the west. Specifically, the author highlights some of the social, political, and cultural effects of decolonization and how they have impacted Western dominance over other countries and states. Some of the key topics or concepts discussed in the book include aboriginal people, hybridity, land, power, postcolonial feminism, as well as, characteristics of postcolonial cities and states. Throughout the book, the author examines the rise of anti-colonial movements in countries that had been colonized by the west, and their role in the development of these states into post-colonialism. This paper provides a critical analysis of the book, Post-colonialism: An Historical Introduction. Specifically, the paper examines the author’s thesis, the presentation of his argument, illustrating the strengths, weaknesses, and biases of the book.
Post-Colonialism: An Historical Introduction
By Robert J Young
The book, Post-colonialism: An Historical Introduction, presents one of the most influential books to historians and other academicians. This is because the author examines the concept of post-colonialism, a topic that has generated plenty of debate in academic circles. At the outset, the author does not examine this topic using a debating attitude but instead he tries to explain this concept from a different view than other post-colonialism authors. In essence, the author tries to change his readers’ views and perception about the world and the concepts of colonization, decolonization, and post-colonialism. To convince his readers, the author incorporates the works of other historical theorists such as Frantz Fanon, Homi Bhabha, Gayatri Spivak, and Edward Said. He does this so as to give his readers the assurance that his work is properly researched and embraces the views and perceptions of different people. The author begins by explaining to his audience that post-colonialism is all about turning the world around and examining this concept from a different perspective. According to the author, many people have failed in evaluating the concept of post-colonialism because they focus more on the western colonizers instead of concentrating on the aboriginal and disenfranchised communities.
Accordingly, the presumable thesis that the author presents in his book is that post-colonialism is a concept that is only understood through the perspective of the colonies and its people. Subsequently, the author further illustrates the advantages of examining the concept of post-colonialism from the perspective of these communities. Accordingly, the author supports his thesis by providing evidence in the form of various events and occurrences that occurred in diverse colonies around the world. He examines the stories of various states with relation to post-colonialism, and provides a different perspective of these stories from what the readers have. Most of the evidence provided in the book is relevant to his thesis, and for that reason, does not detract from the concepts and thoughts being presented in the book. Two main stories strike out in the book including the quandary of the homeless people in Brazil, and the mandatory exposure of Muslim women under American rule through the Shah in Iran. These to stories give a clear illustration of how the concept of post-colonialism in the respective states has been misunderstood from the western perspectives. The author tells the struggles of these people, which in turn changes the readers’ lines of though regarding the state of affairs in these countries and states. Another concept that the author has stressed throughout the book regards the rise of anti-colonial movements in these states. These movements are responsible for the development of the states into their postcolonial state, and for that reason, he considers them significant factors in comprehending the concept of post-colonialism.
Arguably, the book’s strength lies in the way the author integrates the ideologies of anti-colonial movements with Marxist critiques of colonialism. By doing this, the author cements his ideas and perceptions in a strong way that challenges the readers. Though the author provides a good argument regarding post-colonialism, and he goes on to do it in a well written manner, one cannot help but criticize the apparent prejudices and biases presented in the book. The author clearly states that his argument is based on the perspective of the aboriginal groups in the countries whose stories he explores. This, therefore, implies that the information presented in the book is a foregone conclusion. Instead of comparing the western perspectives with the native perspectives so as to give the readers room to draw up their own conclusion, the author seeks to change the perspectives of the readers. He indirectly tries to shape the thoughts of the readers to fit his own, as well as, that of the native communities. Subsequently, the readers end up sympathizing with the disenfranchised communities, with disregard to the Western perspectives. Conclusively, the book is of great value to its readers as the work thought presented is vigilantly, provoking. The book urges its readers, as well as, academicians to examine post-colonialism and world affairs from a different perception.
Bibliography
Young, Robert J. Post-Colonialism: An Historical Introduction. New York: Blackwell Publishers, 2001.
Playing technique of European Lute
Playing technique of European Lute
Introduction
The European lute resembles the Arabic lute because it has a deep body shaped like a pear and a bent-back neck structure. The strings of the guitar are hitched to a précis tension so as to produce a good sound. European lute itself has a very large hole that is circular. For decorations, the guitar has rose shapes on it. It is the same decoration as the Chinese décor for the chests in the baroque period. To add on the structure, the instrument was originally made of wood and fibre threads for the strings, most likely silk1.
The Lute of today of Europe is made of animal gut or nylon strings. Technology has really contributed in the development of the European Lute structure. However, the traditional skeleton has been maintained to give an authentic feel of music. Like modern guitar the type of strings will define the quality of music to be produced by the European Lute. The pear shape of the body has been maintained due to its effectiveness in music production. The design is that of the instrument called oud. This shape is also called the tortoise shell.
1John Walter, Hill. Baroque music: music in Western Europe, 1580-1750. (New York: W.W.
Norton, 2010. Print.)
Background Information on the Lute
There is a system developed to play the European lute. The Lute has however been improved over the years. Traditional European Lute players are the ones who made the system used to play. The music was then written with tablature. Tablature is a musical writing technique which involves staff to represent the course. The fret was noted by letters or figures.
The European Lute is a musical instrument made of parallel strings attached to its soundboard, by a distinct pole. The European lute got its name from an Arab instrument called “Ud” which means the wood2. In Europe, the lute was popular between the 16th century and the 17th century. This was especially in the renaissance period as well as the baroque period. The origin of the lute, as musical instrument, is traced the Middle East countries like Iran which was then Persian. The European Lute first entered into Europe through the Spain territory.
General structure of the lute
It is good to say that the instrument was widely used in the entire of Europe and the neighboring countries. The strings on the lute are six in number and each has its own sound, which is the chord. The chords are c, G, f, a, d and g’. The chords are arranged well. The second G chord is below the chord C. This has made it possible for the European Lute to be mastered, practiced and played good in the Europe continent.
The lutes have double strings which are tuned to octave. The higher strings are tuned as unisons and in harmony good sound is produced. The sound produced by the European Lute is of different timbre than guitar itself. It still depends on type of guitar strings to produce a brighter sound. Therefore not all European Lutes sound the same 3.
2Matthew, Spring. The lute in Britain: a history of the instrument and its music. (Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2011. Print.)
3Christopher, Meeder. Jazz: the basics. (New York: Routledge, 2008. Print.)
How the European Lute is played
To play the European Lute you had to learn from elites in the music field. Playing the lute was regarded a profession like any other and was highly paid. The structural features contribute greatly in the playing technique. The fret was to be stopped and the strings plucked by the right hand. This is how the music was made using this lute. The strings were plucked in a systematic manner to give professional touch4.
The technique used in playing the Lute is referred to as plucking. Being a string instrument, it resembles the guitar and how they played can be described as similar to each other. It is used in song accompaniment to develop good and sound music. Nevertheless, the playing technique differs a little. The lute produces little volume than the guitar of same size. It is thought that the light nature of the Lute contribute to a more responsive instrument of music.
When played well, though fickle and complicated it produces beautiful music you will ever hear. The fact that music produced by the Lute has characteristic beauty, made it to be preferred by ancient Europeans. However, the modern people of Europe have learned how to play the guitar by plucking and have forgotten the lute they once used. The lute as explained in various music books had to be played by professionals who were highly paid by the monarchs during events.
4Thomas D., Rossing. The science of string instruments. (New York: Springer, 2010. Print.)
Functions of the European Lute
The Lute of Europe that I prefer to call European Lute had its functions in music and in Europe as whole. In music, the music instrument led to the development of many other string instruments like the lute guitar which is modernly used5. The singers were able to make good quality music over the years even without the use of modern technology.
During royal events, the Lute was played by professionally renowned musicians. The professionals who had gathered skill from all over Europe served as entertainment to the people of Europe. Traditionally, the lutes were played by monks of different denominations in the continent of Europe. It is therefore correct to conclude that the European Lute was ceremonial and it helped in honoring certain moods of the people.
The lute was also traded for goods by Spanish traders who traversed the continent together with Arab traders. Arabs were highly influenced to adapt to the European version of the lute because they considered it to be a part of evolution in which they anticipated. Interest drawn to the instrument by the society brought about the development of different music genres and hence the diversity in music6.
Social solidarity was contributed to by the specified instrument. It is true that the lute is created in a society setting, hence carries with it the values and beliefs of the Europeans. Music education both in the past and present was and has been made easy and possible y the lute to a certain capacity. Studies like organology, which is the learning of music instruments, has developed as the result of the lute. The presence of this ancient objet has led to the relation of events in history.
4Thomas D., Rossing. The science of string instruments. (New York: Springer, 2010. Print.)
5Kenny, Mathieson. Celtic music. (San Francisco, CA: Backbeat Books, 2009. Print.)
6Esther, Vilar. Oud. (Amsterdam: De Centaur/Omega Boek, 2011. Print.)
Works Cited
Hill, John Walter. Baroque music: music in Western Europe, 1580-1750. New York: W.W.
Norton, 2010. Print.
Spring, Matthew. The lute in Britain: a history of the instrument and its music. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2011. Print.
Mathieson, Kenny. Celtic music. San Francisco, CA: Backbeat Books, 2009. Print.
Meeder, Christopher. Jazz: the basics. New York: Routledge, 2008. Print.
Rossing, Thomas D.. The science of string instruments. New York: Springer, 2010. Print.
Vilar, Esther. Oud. Amsterdam: De Centaur/Omega Boek, 2011. Print.
Application 1 By way of introduction, my name is XX,
Name
Professor’s name
Course
Date
Application 1
By way of introduction, my name is XX, an XX-year-old student seeking consideration as a student at NYU. I am an immigrant from Ghana, Africa, meaning I bring a unique worldview perspective shaped by my experiences of growing up in Africa. I believe that I stand to benefit from interactions in a new capacity with my colleagues in class which will boost and widen my worldview. Similarly, I think that I bring a unique touch to the class that I shall join as through me students that have been born and bred in first-world economies such as the United States will be able to see things from a new angle through interactions with me.
Having grown up in Africa, a continent that is rich in resources yet it remains plagued by a myriad of issues ranging from poverty, underdevelopment, corruption, drought and hunger, and diseases, to mention a few, I believe I bring a new perspective that other people might have. Growing up in poverty pushed me to put extra effort into my studies. Worth noting, I am first generational student in my family. My goal has always been to use education as an avenue of poverty education and improving life. Being here today makes me want to do my best to contribute positively to society. I believe that joining NYU will bring me one step toward my goal.
Additionally, I believe being part of NYU would help me contribute to the class’s diversity because I come from a different ethnicity than my would-be classmates. Being born and bred in Ghana places me in an advantageous position to tell people about my culture, something that would not have been possible had I been born in a first-world country like my colleagues. I believe I add to the diversity of the class as I will help colleagues improve their critical communication skills. According to research, people tend to be more likely to think harder concerning an issue when interacting with people who are different from them. My colleagues are more likely to exercise self-awareness when they interact with a diverse classroom. They tend to appreciate that different people are bound to have different opinions hence are likely to draw stronger outcomes.
I also believe my personal experiences would help boost my academic outcomes. I believe that joining NYU would boost the academic performance of all students. This is because having a diverse class is likely to boost the student’s critical thinking skills and encourage academic performance. Even research has shown that diverse schools outperform the schools that do not embrace diversity. I also feel that joining NYU would be a perfect opportunity for me to correct narratives and stereotypes that people have concerning African people.