"say YES to life"

In Isabel Allende’s inspiring speech, “How to Live Passionately- No matter your age”, she describes what she and others have gained from living a fulfilling life. Allende explains to the audience how no matter your age, there is always more to earn from life. No matter your literal age, we are all spiritually aging. She goes through in more detail the four main aspects that she has gained from taking this step: freedom, lightness, softness, and spirituality, and adds insight on the positive affects on her personal life and her relationship with others. Allende shares, “It’s great to let go, I should have started sooner.” 

Isabel Allende begins her presentation appealing to the audience with pathos, as she states her information about herself, her husband, her parents, and even her dog. By doing this, we already feel a connection to Allende. She is constantly spewing personal thoughts on her keys to success in life, grasping the viewers attention. This spunky story teller gives us a new perspective on the future and presents the information in a way that allows us to unleash a positive attitude and the emotions that are presented with it. Ethos is also a primary use of Allende’s, as she uses specific information regarding the personal achievements of many, including the work done by greats such as Olga Murray. She applies the success stories of many to her real life situation of turning your life around to experience the new no matter how old you may be. 

Once I saw the title of this TED talk, I instantly knew it was something I would be interested in, as passion is something that applies to everyone no matter their age or culture. No social standing or gender has more of an advantage to live passionately, as it is a decision we choose to make daily- do we aspire for all that life has to offer? or do we stay comfortable? It is evident that Allende is a very happy woman and has chosen to live her life to the fullest, and that she understands the importance of sharing this wisdom to others. She truly captivates the audience with the charming personality she presumes, and I aspire to live as she does. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/isabelle_allende_how_to_live_passionately_no_matter_your_age/transcript?language=en#t-93418

Double Indemnity

#5

From the start, it is evident that the male lead, Walter Neff, is a weak man in comparison to the charming, young Phyllis Dietrichson. Not in terms of status or wealth, but in his inability to resist temptation from this future love interest. In the 1944 film, Double Indemnity, it is clear that women’s appearance is used to lure in the focus of the man. Dietrichson is constantly being sexually objectified by other lead characters, which is accepted by the audience. There is no doubt that her true motives are shielded by her flowery feminine cover up, as she appears to an outside perspective as the damsel in distress. She directly addresses the situation of being objectified when she notes the lack of respect her own husband has for her. It is not her morals that give her the attention from her male counterparts, but their desire for her based off of the sexual attraction she gives off. 

It is evident that the way Phyllis Dietrichson is portrayed in the film is reflective of how the vast majority of women in the 1940’s were treated- not as powerful or dominant, rather, they were seen merely for their outer appearance. This could be noted by the light colors she wears, representing her elegance and femininity or by the sly and flirty tone she uses when speaking to Neff. She also poses in positions showing off her legs rather than staying seated in a productive manner. It is for her looks that the men fall weak, but also the standards for gender that are set by society in this time period. She understands the position she is put in here and acts on it, as she manipulates the men and uses her stature as a woman to her advantage.