4 Modes

Visual 

The visual I chose was a family crest. The choosing of this was pretty self-explanatory. My paper was about surnames, so the only visual that made sense to me was the family crest. It represents everything that is a surname, the meaning and the parts of it. Every symbol on the family crest represents something about the family, it’s origin and sometimes certain historical aspects of the family. 

Family crests are very important in many society. Especially when it comes to aristocratic and ancient families. The crests were displayed in a place of prominence and sometimes even on the shields of knights. They were a way of identification and people took pride in their family crests, just like today people often take prides in their last names. I know that I do. 

Book (Logos)

I have not actually read this book, because cost wise it was pretty expensive. However, I can guess what it is about just from the title of the book. It deals with Geography and Genealogy.  This was something that I remembered reading about when I was doing my project. So it was interesting to me to find a book that also talked about this in regards to the United States. 

When I was researching for my paper, I found in two or more of my sources that it has been found that surnames in England tend to congregate in one place. In my own experience I have also found this to be true. The only Brennan’s I have ever met have been Irish, and living in the greater Tri-state area. Many names I have never heard outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 

Movie (Pathos)

For the Movie I chose The Namesake. It is a movie about a family from India who immigrated to the United States. It follows the adventures of their one son, Gogol who is just struggling to fit in in the United States. His family is very traditional, but Gogol is not. The movie is about struggling to balance two cultures. 

I feel that many immigrants to the United States have to do that. This is why things like the Irish-American Club were founded. It’s also why places like China town popped up. It’s easier to adjust to a new place when you have people around you who speak the same language as you and practice many of the same customs. 

Song

The song I chose is called I’m Still Here (Jim’s Theme) and is is sung by John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls. The song is featured in the motion picture, Treasure Planet. The song speaks about identity and finding out who you are. The lyrics read, “They’d don’t know me. “ Jim struggles to find his way. 

He is fatherless and as such, really does not know who he is. He wants to understand his family and where he came from but it’s hard for him when his father walked out on his family. The song is played during a part in the movie where Jim finds his calling and feels truly at home with himself.