Two short essays - I don't understand what's being asked of me!

Good evening folks,

I have two short essays due in less than a week (we only received the assignment yesterday) and I don't understand the requirements and...I really don't understand the questions. I'm not looking for someone to write the essay for me, I would simply appreciate any help on interpreting the questions.

1. Stuart Hall contends that representation is constituent of the event itself, that is, the representation is the event. If the image becomes or 'is' the event then what does that suggest about our perception and relationship to images as viewers? How do we understand, read, and define represented bodies whether in the mass media, fine art, or fashion? How does context or location delimit the body on view, or more importantly our readings of it? Using three texts from your course pack, answer the preceding questions by demonstrating how the body can be deployed as a site/sight that troubles traditional 'binary' relationships within 'representation'. Choose your examples wisely!

-- What is he asking for? I really don't understand this question at all!

2. Throughout the term, we have often discussed the fraught and at times tense relationship between the Self and the Other. Using three different texts from the course pack, answer the following: What are the ways we understand the complexities of the relationships between Self and Other? How does mirror frame our understanding of the Self's relationship to the Other? What is the relationship between what the Self believes it is and what it see in the mirror? The mirror must be understood both literally and metaphorically. Choose your examples wisely!

-- I understand this question somewhat, however, any addt'l help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you...

Greetings!

I can understand your confusion. Let's try to cut through the fancy language and get to what it means.

"How do we understand, read, and define represented bodies whether in the mass media, fine art, or fashion?" - By "represented bodies" I assume he means images. So, how do we perceive images/pictures? How do our own experiences influence how we interpret these images?

"demonstrating how the body can be deployed as a site/sight that troubles traditional 'binary' relationships within 'representation'. - This one's a little denser, so let's take it one part at a time: "deployed" = used; "site/sight" = location/image; "troubles" = "to agitate; stir up" [probably the best choice among the definitions]; "binary" = two; "representation" = expression by a symbol; image. So that gives us "how the body can be used as both a location and an image that agitates or stirs up traditional relationships involving two (of something) as it relates to symbolism or imagery." My guess would be that the binary relationship he's interested in is that between the viewer of an image and the image itself -- though I could be wrong about that.

I don't even know what class this assignment is for, so it's a little difficult to focus my interpretation of these instructions in the right direction. The only way to know for sure is to ask him. Most instructors are glad to explain an assignment to a student who doesn't understand it. A few are not. You won't know unless you try.

I hope you're able to make some headway with this. Best of luck!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com