Practice_Essay_the_Queen_Hsc

History and memory have an innate and complex bond; one cannot exist without the other. History can be described as the documentation of the past, a collection of absolute truths of events which have occurred over time. Memory describes an individual relation to the past, a physical relation to an actual experience, which has had a significant impact. There will always be contrasting perspectives and interpretations of any one event, which questions the reliability of history as the interplay of history and memory integrates them into one, making it hard to depict whether history is simply a selection of memories The motion picture "The Queen" reflects concepts of collective memory and historical myth. The author comments on how the film depicts the worldwide grief following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the role of Queen Elizabeth II in British society. The film incorporates both fictitious elements and documentary footage into the story, which makes it difficult to make out what, is factual and what is fictitious. Through the specific characterisation of the main characters, Steven Frears has blended reality with a fictional portrayal. This is highly important as it influences and creates a persuaded opinion on the events which took place at the time of Diana’s death. The scene where the Queen meets Tony Blaire is significant to the historical image of the queen. The queen attempts to emphasise her higher authority on Blaire. Her formal hand gestures and use of formal language can translate to be the queen asserting her position. Frears further reinforces this image of power when Mr and Mrs Blaire enter the Palace and they are seen with a high angle shot highlighting their insignificance. In the scene where the queen is seen with the stag, Frears has used the stag to symbolise the queen. The boys and hunters represent the ‘stalking’ press; this symbolism portrays the manner in which the queen is prayed on by her nation. This idea is emphasised through the use of panoramic camera shots of the hill, symbolising the queens isolation within her own country and the loss of her people as the royal family is seen to become the public enemy due to the way they are seen to treat Dianna’s death. ‘Death Fugue’ written by Paul Celan in 1945 is a deceptively straightforward poem, which becomes a powerful recollection for the Jewish victims of German violence through Celan's technique of layering several contradictory meanings into a single compacted image. Celan based "Death Fugue" on accounts by survivors of concentration camps returning to Romania in late 1944. It juxtaposes and provocatively links the two German achievements of masterful artistry and unprecedented mass murder. The poem's central image depicts Jewish prisoners forced to dig their graves and play music while being told that they will rise like smoke in the air. The first three lines are a repetitive invocation to "black milk" that forms the first musical theme of the poem's fugue. Black milk is a symbol for the toxic, death-haunted atmosphere of the camps. The repetition of "we drink" symbolizes the endless and repetitive suffering of the prisoners. The "black milk" is personified as "you," as if it were a central character in the poem. The man who lives in a house couldn't sound more ordinary at first. Referring to the guard as simply a "man" is understatement. His vipers are a symbol of betrayal, sin, loss of innocence, and black magic. The prisoners are called "his Jews" as if he possessed or owned them. The guard is a kind of slave master. His blue eyes represent the Aryan racial ideal that the Nazis valued. The two images of the guard's actions – playing with vipers and daydreaming – symbolize two different and possibly irreconcilable parts of German culture during the Nazi era; its cruelty and its attempt to be "cultured" and poetic. Most of the Jews who died in the camps were never buried, and many were burned to make their remains more easily disposable. The images of ashes, smoke, and graves in the air subtly allude to this practice. Others were dumped in mass graves, and the prisoners were often forced to dig their own graves before being killed. A "grave in the air" is an ironic allusion to the Nazi practice of burning the bodies of dead Jews. It is ironic because the Jews are not actually given a proper burial. The line also alludes to the fact that prisoners in the Holocaust sometimes had to dig their own graves.” as smoke you will rise into air" is a direct allusion to Nazi crematoriums in the concentration camps. The word "grants" is highly ironic. Usually "grant" has positive connotations, like granting a wish, but here it literally means, "he kills us.” Through the use of poetic techniques, Celan has incorporated first-hand accounts on the events that took place in Germany. This gives an insight to individuals of today’s generations about the brutal experiences. People’s opinions on these events have been influenced by these personal insights. This text demonstrates how individual memory can manipulate and effect the way others perceive them. Elton John’s song ‘candle in the wind (Diana Tribute)’ is a song which honours Dianas life from the perspective of the people of England. Throughout the song, there are various references to Diana and they way she was viewed as by the public. This text allows individuals to create an image of Diana’s life; however, the use of textual feature influences the audience as the purpose of the song is to pay tribute to Diana in a positive light. ‘You were the grace that places yourself what lives were torn apart’, this line both reflects Diana’s achievements in life and is also a reflection on Diana as a person. The word ‘grace’ has positive connotations; it evokes feelings of elegance, beauty and poise. Elton John has expressed his own personal feelings towards Diana, which shape the way in which the audience will feel about Diana. ‘And it seems to me like you lived you life like a candle in the wind’, a simile as been used to describe they way in which Diana lived. ‘A candle in the wind’ is a direct allusion to describe Diana’s life. A candle in the wind will obviously be blown out fast. This can symbolise the way in which Diana’s life was taken, so fast and unexpectedly. ‘This torch will always carry on’ and ‘your candle’s burned out long before you legend ever will’, these two lines in the song reflect how Diana will be perceived in time, and how her life will be remember. This creates a significant impact on the audience as if commemorates Diana’s life, it also entails that although Diana has passed she will always be remember. The use of the word ‘Legend’ shows that Diana will be remembered positively. The use of emotive language and direct references to her life creates a positive reflection on her life it has also allowed the composer to evoke certain feelings and emotions from the audience.. This influences the readers to view Diana in the way in which the composer wants. Hence, an individual’s memory can impact the way in which others perceive certain people or events. Through the examination of personal experience, memory and documented evidence, it can be concluded that each individual aspect is a fundamental component in a complex relationship. Each one has its own specific role, be it to personalise history or to validate memory.