'Cultural Studies'

                  Assignment

Name: Kunvarani Nidhi K

Paper: ‘Cultural Studies’

Topic: ‘Identity’

S. t. d:  M.A-(sem-2)

Roll.no:  11

Year:  2013

Allotted to:

Respected sir, Dr.Dilip Barad

                        Heenaba Zala

                          &

                ‘Department Of English’

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavsinhji University

Bhavnagar.                 

·    ‘Identity’

‘Identity’ is the part of methods in ‘cultural studies’. So, First of all for the ourselves to know the meaning of ‘identity’ is very much important. So, let see what is ‘Identity’.

1.The collective aspect of characteristics by which a thing is definitelty recognizable or known.

2.The set of  behavioral or personal characteristics by which an  individual is recognizable as a member of a group.

3.The quality or condition of being the same as something else.

4. The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity; individuality.

5. Information such as an identification number used to establish or prove a person’s individuality, as in providing access to a credit account.

Above there some ‘Dictionary Meaning’ of ‘Identity’, In short, ‘Identity’ means any individual’s characteristics through the thing or person known that is the simple definition of ‘Identity’.

The Identity of a person is, for cultural studies, dependent upon the role played by  that person, the signs that designate that person. ‘Identity’ is constituted through experience, and representation is a significant part of experience. So, now let see that how ‘Identity’ is woven in the ‘cultural studies’.

We do not always understand that we are not in control of our lives, and that we are subject to ideological control. Person is always in shackled of society even then we believed that we are free but we are never ever free from the shackled.

The ‘Identity’ of gender  also played vital role in the ‘cultural studies.’ In society women or girl always remain as a part of minority. The culture’s values inculcate notions of ‘Femininity’ and ‘Masculinity’ in the children also.

Example:

1.           In childhood most of people bought ‘Doll’ for the girl child. And, prefer gun, car etc… for the boy child.

Why it is differ? It is question of feminist writers above this kind of thing. In to childhood elder people forced to girl child that you are girl and you have to behave like this and  that. But, no any kind of restriction for the boy childhood.

I want to give you one another example that shows the different ‘Identity’ of ‘men’ and ‘women’ how played vital role in the ‘cultural studies’.

In the novel of shobha de’s ‘socialite Evenings’. Here, heroine’s mother prefers the traditional way of wife:

“A woman cannot live alone. It is not safe. We are here today-but who knows about tomorrow? A woman needs a man’s protection. Society can be very cruel… a woman’s real place is in her husband ’s house-not in her parents’-Take your time but marry. And marry the right one – that is important …Before we die, we want to see you secure and at peace.”

    -shobha De’s “socialite Evenings”.”(p.275)

Above this quotation is the real image of the mindset of Indian women’.But,now we can see that this definition  became quotation for to became their ‘blood hot’. In the same novel we can see the  revolutionary answer or instead of above ’s definition. That’s the image of modern or revolutionary women of the India.

 Karuna question’s to her mother:

“But mother why does security  rest with a man? I feel confident now that i can look after myself.I am earning as much money as any man. I have a roof over my head.I don’t really have have any responsibilities. I am at peace with myself. I’m not answerable to anyone…I can’t make any “sacrifies”-not n

-Shobha De’s ‘socialite              

 Evenings.

 A Feminist study by                          

 M. k.Bhatnagar (Page: 136 )

It’s an example of ‘Identity’ with the view of any individual creates vast effect on ‘Identity’. The writer Taine gives his view about ‘Identity’-

1.)Race

2.)Millieu

3.)Moment

Above this three element also creates vast influenced on ‘cultural Identity’. And, any individual cannot live without this 3 things. ’Race’,  ’Milieu’ and  ‘Moment’.’Race’ as  a (religion, cast, male, female, gender), ’Milieu’ means surrounding and ‘Moment’ means’ time’ through this ‘Identity’ people live in the society.

For  cultural studies this is a key debate ,who determines  freedoms? what are the consequences of an individual’s actions in any culture?’Identity’ is most probably go with the superiority.e.g,

1.) white-Black

2.)Man-woman

3.)presence-Absence

4.)Day-Night

There are all opposite situation also representation of the ‘Identity’ as ’superiority’ and ‘Inferiority’ .white, man, presence, day etc… comes in the ‘Identity’ of ‘superiority’ while black, woman, absence and night comes in the category of ‘Inferiority’.

Conclusion:

So, above all those view and examples through we can got the clear cut idea about ‘Identity’.