HUM 200 2-6 Project Part One: Artifacts and Theme Selection

Introduction to HUM 200 2-6 Project Part One

In the HUM 200 2-6 Project Part One: Artifacts and Theme Selection, you will embark on a comparative analysis of two distinct cultural artifacts linked through a common theme. The aim is to understand how specific themes persist and manifest differently across time and artistic mediums. This How-To Owlisdom Guide will help enhance your appreciation of the humanities and deepen your insight into personal experiences that resonate with these themes.

Choose two cultural artifacts to analyze. These artifacts may take the form of any artistic medium, such as literature, poetry, music, film, dance, painting, sculpture, etc. However, choosing two artifacts created by different artists and created during other periods (ex., separated by at least 50 years) is essential.

Choosing Your Artifacts

To start the HUM 200 2-6 Project Part One: Artifacts and Theme Selection, we will choose two cultural artifacts to analyze.

• Diversity in Creation: Ensure the artifacts are from different artistic forms (like literature and painting), created by other artists, and originate from distinct periods (at least 50 years apart).
• Availability of Information: Choose artifacts with accessible historical data and critical analyses to support your research.

Example

For my project, I have selected two significant American cultural artifacts that embody the theme of the American Dream, created over fifty years apart, highlighting its evolving perception through time.

The first artifact is the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925 (Britannica, 2024). This literary work delves into the complexities of the American Dream during the Roaring Twenties, capturing the era’s opulence, disillusionment, and stark inequalities. Fitzgerald’s narrative revolves around the life and ambitions of Jay Gatsby, a man whose relentless pursuit of wealth and status mirrors the societal obsession with material success.

The second artifact is the film Forrest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis and released in 1994 (Britannica, 2024). Unlike The Great Gatsby, Forrest Gump presents a more optimistic and resilient view of the American Dream. Through the protagonist’s journey across historical American moments, the film explores themes of destiny, innocence, and the possibility of achieving greatness regardless of background. These artifacts represent distinct artistic mediums and offer contrasting perspectives on a central theme pivotal to American culture, providing a rich basis for comparative analysis.

Describe the cultural artifacts that you have chosen. Consider questions such as these in your response: What is the name or title of the artifact? Who is the author or artist?  What is the date or period when the artifact was created? What is the cultural location or physical setting of the artifact? In addition, you could consider including a photograph or image of each cultural artifact if they are visual artifacts.

Describing the Artifacts

Next, we will describe the selected artifacts.

• Basic Details: Include the name, creator, date, and cultural or physical setting of each artifact.
• Contextual Background: Briefly describe each artifact’s creation’s historical and cultural context.
• Incorporating Images: Include images of the artifacts to provide a visual reference to enhance your textual analysis.

Example

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was published in 1925. It is set in the prosperous Roaring Twenties on Long Island and New York City, reflecting the era’s decadence and the disillusionment following World War I. The novel explores themes of the American Dream, class struggle, and the pursuit of happiness, capturing the spirit and challenges of its time.

Forrest Gump, released in 1994 and directed by Robert Zemeckis, spans several decades, following the titular character from the 1950s through the late 20th century in the United States. The film uses critical historical events to frame Forrest’s journey, providing a backdrop that explores themes of destiny, innocence, and the impact of the individual on a changing American society.

Both artifacts stand as cultural icons within their respective periods and offer rich narratives that engage with fundamental American ideals and societal reflections.

Identify at least one common theme that will serve as the framework of your exploration document. How is the theme expressed in your artifacts?

Identifying the Theme

For this HUM 200 Part One section, we will identify a common theme in the selected artifacts.

• Thematic Exploration: Identify themes expressed in both artifacts. This could range from abstract concepts like freedom or justice to more concrete themes like the impact of technology on society.
• Artistic Manifestation: Describe how each artifact represents the identified theme, focusing on symbolism, narrative style, or artistic techniques.

Example

In analyzing The Great Gatsby and Forrest Gump, a common theme is the pursuit of the American Dream. This theme is intricately woven through the narrative arcs and character developments within both artifacts, albeit presented with distinct perspectives reflective of their different historical contexts.

In The Great Gatsby, the American Dream is explored through Jay Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of wealth and social status, which he believes are essential for reclaiming his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Fitzgerald employs symbolism extensively, such as Gatsby’s opulent parties and his elusive green light at the end of Daisy’s dock, to depict the dream’s hollowness and, ultimately, unattainability. The novel portrays the dream as corrupted by materialism and the socio-economic realities of 1920s America, illustrating the disillusionment felt by many during the era.

Contrastingly, Forrest Gump presents a more optimistic depiction of the American Dream. Forrest, a man with a low IQ, inadvertently influences significant cultural and historical events in America, achieving personal and financial success despite his limitations. The narrative style, combining humor and pathos, along with the film’s use of historical footage, underscores the idea that the American Dream is accessible to all, regardless of one’s background or abilities. The film suggests that integrity and perseverance are crucial to realizing the dream, presenting a redemptive perspective on American values.

Thus, both artifacts offer rich, albeit contrasting, explorations of the American Dream, providing a multifaceted understanding of this enduring theme within American culture.

Reflect on how the theme you identified is related to your personal experience. For instance, you could discuss how the expression of the theme in your cultural artifacts is connected to you personally.

Personal Connection

This section of HUM 200 2-6 Project Part One: Artifacts and Theme Selection will relate the identified theme to our personal experiences.

• Personal Resonance: Discuss how the theme relates to your life experiences or values. This reflection will help personalize your analysis and potentially reveal more profound insights into the theme.
• Connecting the Dots: Draw connections between your personal experiences and the thematic expression in the artifacts to illustrate the theme’s broader relevance.

Example

Reflecting on the theme of the American Dream as portrayed in The Great Gatsby and Forrest Gump, I find a personal connection to the narratives of aspiration and the varied outcomes of pursuing one’s dreams. The theme resonates with my life through my family’s history and experiences, echoing the broader narrative of seeking success and fulfillment in America.

Much like that of Forrest Gump, my family’s journey is characterized by humble beginnings and the belief that hard work and integrity can lead to achieving one’s dreams, regardless of initial disadvantages; my grandparents migrated to the United States with little to their names, driven by the hope of a better life. Their stories, filled with challenges and triumphs, mirror Forrest’s serendipitous journey through American history, where his straightforward and honest approach to life brings him unexpected success.

On the other hand, The Great Gatsby reflects the more exemplary aspects of the American Dream. (LACEB, 2018) I have observed—how ambition can become tainted by materialism and how pursuing an idealized goal can lead to disillusionment. In my community, I have seen many who, like Gatsby, strive for what they perceive as the pinnacle of success, often losing sight of their original values and relationships along the way.

These artifacts highlight the dual nature of the American Dream, and in studying them, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of its complexities and contradictions. This theme’s exploration helps contextualize my family’s experiences within the broader narrative of American aspiration and caution, enriching my perspective on what it truly means to achieve the American Dream.

Closing

The HUM 200 2-6 Project Part One: Artifacts and Theme Selection prompts you to engage deeply with cultural artifacts, encouraging a nuanced understanding of how themes are woven through the human experience across time and mediums. By analyzing these artifacts and reflecting on your connections to the themes, you enrich your understanding of the humanities and discover more about your interpretive and emotional responses to art. HUM 200 2-6 Project Part One: Artifacts and Theme Selection is a valuable step in appreciating the interconnectedness of art, history, and personal experience in the broader tapestry of human culture.

References

Britannica. (2024, March 4). Nick Carraway | fictional character | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nick-Carraway 

Britannica. (2024, April 3). Forrest Gump | Plot, Cast, Awards, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Forrest-Gump 

LACEB, R. (2018). F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925): Variations on Forms and Themes. Universite Mouloud Mammeri.