Children of the Screen

After reading Baylon’s article, “Children of the Screen,” I cannot deny that she makes very valid points, although I would like to think they are a bit extreme. Perhaps this is due to my personal choices and the choices of the people I surround myself with, but I know that my friends, family, and I love to participate in stress-less activities that do not incorporate a television or afternoon of video games and we are not obsessed with money or name brand possessions. That is not to say that I never partake in an evening of reality TV or a trip to the local shopping mall, but I prefer going to coffee with a friend, taking a hike in a beautiful place or participating in sports, clubs and group activities. At the very least I know that the people I have the most fun with are those that take a breather from the stresses of everyday life by enjoying time with others, having intellectual conversations and making life an adventure.

I realize that it would be extremely naïve of me to say that there are not people in America who would much rather come home from work and watch television than call up an old friend or read the latest popular novel. For example, consider obesity in America. I could not intelligently state that American’s are known for their overwhelming desire to participate in outdoor activities, exercise or even walk their dogs with such high statistics on death related to obesity. I am aware that there are a good number of parents in our nation who do not monitor the amount of time their children spend on the couch, watching TV or playing violent video games. Unfortunately the media is a huge part of America and there is no way to avoid the fact that people will take advantage of their ability to easily witness violence, sex and drugs through the click of a button. Watching television is in no way a crime or punishable, but it is something I feel people should limit their consumption of. It is a personal choice people make, to sit around lazily and watch TV, rather than experience life to it’s fullest.

As for the obsession with possessions in America, I find it easy to believe. People go to work on a daily basis in order to make money that they turn around and spend in order to buy their heart’s desire. We have an entire economic system based on the ability to produce and supply according to consumer’s demands. Million’s of people spend their lives working to produce faster, advertise more effectively and create new items of luxury, entertainment and “necessity.” There is a huge market for these things, and for one to indulge themselves and purchase a product that they may not need but rather simply desire, is not a sin or way to lose one’s spirit. I believe that desires are part of human nature, as well as jealousy for what others may possess. For people to buy seemingly useless products to induce temporary happiness is fine, as long as it does not result in a compulsion to buy, make money, or ignore the simple things in life. As long as money and possessions do not become the sole purpose of ones life, longing for a new outfit, toy or lawn tractor every once in awhile, does not result, in my opinion, in the “extinction of our spirits.”

The Picture of Dorian Gray

The film, The Picture of Dorian Gray, tells the story of an innocent young man, Dorian Gray, and his slow but undeniable corruption. Dorian is first introduced to Lord Henry Wotton, the instigator of his eventual downfall, at Basil Hallward’s house, where Basil is painting Dorian’s portrait. Lord Wotton comments on Dorian’s striking features and youthful face, then pities him for having to lose his good looks to age. Dorian, determined to live life to the fullest, makes a, seemingly harmlessly, wish that the portrait, instead of his face, would reflect his age and decisions. Unfortunately, his wish comes true. He first realizes this when Sybil Vane, a talented beauty that he falls in love with and then refutes, kills herself, and his portrait’s face begins to change. As Dorian’s actions become increasingly immoral and shady, his portrait becomes progressively more gruesome and evil while his face remains handsome, untainted. Finally, he decides to repent, start anew, and attempts to destroy the picture with a knife. As soon as the knife enters the canvas, however, it is as if Dorian has stabbed himself, and upon his death, the portrait reverts to its original form and Dorian’s demonic soul is evident on his very own face.

The message of this movie is that beauty and youth are not worth sacrificing for one’s soul. Dorian began as such a kind, caring and sincere man. His handsome features matched his genuine interior. As he was manipulated, however, he discovered the wickedness inside him and began to act upon it. As Dorian quotes in the movie, “Each of us has Heaven and Hell in them,” and Dorian chose to utilize his inner Hell.

My favorite scene in the movie was when Dorian reveals the hideous portrait to Basil. As Dorian watches Basil’s reaction to the once majestic portrait, he picks up a knife from an old carved desk. The anticipation of murder grew, as he threw the knife deeper and deeper into the face of the wood. A pile of woodchips began to form from the force Dorian used to ram the knife into the desk and pull it out again. When Basil sits down and begins to pray for Dorian, the look in Dorian’s eye reveals pure fear and hatred for what Basil might do with the information he’d been given. Dorian lunges and drives the knife into Basil’s back, accidentally striking the light hanging above the table. As the scene continues, a camera shot to the wall, with the light bouncing shadows in and out of focus, shows the distinct outline of Dorian murdering Basil, stab by stab. I love the effect of the light in this scene, especially how it is incorporated in the same fashion later on in the film, when Dorian unintentionally takes his own life. This murder scene shows Dorian at the edge of pure evil. His obsession with youth has driven him to commit a crime so malicious, that blood appears in the portrait of his soul. The moment proves just how far he is willing to go to keep his exterior pristine, regardless of its effect on his character.

Who is this person?

The child in portrait two instantly caught my attention. It is not obvious to me whether the child is  young boy or girl, but for the purpose of this article I will describe the toddler as a male. He appears to be about 4 or 5 years of age, his plump face intensely rosy as if he had just been running in the cold, the chilly wind bringing blood to the surface of his cheeks. The boy's lips are similarly deep red, turned slightly upward, but not as if he is excited or grinning giddily. His blonde hair is thick and long, dangling perfect curls across his dainty forehead. His ravishing blue eyes are big and enticing, not fully open as if he is tired, un-alert, relaxed.

He sits in a bright blue chair, legs uncrossed, splaying in opposite directions. His left arm is resting lightly on one arm of the chair while the other is bent upward towards his face, a lone finger grazing his right cheek. The placement of his finger on his jaw, paired with his inexplicable gaze directed at the viewer, gives him a look of superiority for such a young child. I feel as if he is contemplating an issue much greater than his age should allow.

The intricate wallpaper in the background suggests he resides in an upper class area. The delicate flowers, the combination of pastels and the extent of the detail come together to create the aura of an old-fashioned, mansion-esque room. His chair placement, in the corner of the room against the art-plastered walls, could mean he is in a "time-out" chair. Perhaps he was a little too aggressive when playing with his friends during an afternoon at the park. He is contemplating his wrongdoings, his face still flustered from the fun and games recently put to an end.

Whoever this boy may be, he appears healthy with a wealthy family and a bright future. He is nicely dressed, fed to his plumpest and adorable in every aspect of a typical toddler. His contemplative stare implies he is smart, talented and able. He is an adventurous young boy, with a great life ahead. 

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