Icons Essay - 2,595 words

Icons An icon can be defined in many ways. Some might say he or she is a man or a woman who himself/herself is remarkable, whether it be through superhuman powers, or extreme experiences. It is his nature which makes him or her to become icon, as he/she takes part in things unattainable to a normal person. An icon has a huge impact on the society, because lot of people attempt to become icons in some way too. Being an icon means to be important and valuable for the members of a society. There are many different types of American icons. Every society has some form of an icon whether real or mythical, past or present, and whether or not everyone in that society agrees on who their icons are.


Almost every culture throughout civilization has enjoyed some type of political or cultural icon, whether they are fighting for some standard of society to be changed, a king, queen, chief, or someone who stands up for the common people. Many political and cultural icons have fought against the powers that be, and are considered icons by the common man who may share the ideal of the icon, but does not have the power to act on his ideal. What is it that we look for when we seek out icons? Some search for characteristics with which they can identify, while others look for traits that represent the person they would most like to emulate. Americans value their inner strength and their liberty. Therefore they look for a person with true determination, a strong will to live and to live a great and extraordinary life. Whether fame, money and material wealth is indicative of icon worship, or if that praise is more appropriately placed with those who make a difference in society, is something that is quite personal in nature.


Easing peoples suffering is a significant component of someone worthy of being called an icon. The desire to overlook ones own problems and shortcomings in order to offer aid to another also defines an icon. People need icons because they represent admirable qualities or goals to strive for. A popular type of icon today is that of an ordinary person who, when put in unusual circumstances, shows a great deal of courage and strength. It is not the problems that make these ordinary people icons, rather it is the extraordinary acts that they perform during their plight. People look to icon as guides to their own lives.


One of the great things about having icons that are relatively normal is that it can give the ordinary person hope that they, too, can do these things. I believe that the primary standard for being classified as an icon is the ability to influence others in a positive direction. They inspire you. The fact that icons are role models is why we have so many different types of icons. There are many different definitions of an icon, because people personalize their icons, and there is no one icon that would be considered so by everyone or eternally. Values and beliefs of societies are ever-changing, as are our views of who our icons are. Icons are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, or anyone that touches someone in a way that causes them to be viewed in the highest of ways.


All around the world one can find icons. The names may change, but regardless of the differences between societies and cultures, the feelings we get from our icons remain the same. Unconsciously we all have a standard by which we measure other men and women, and if we examine closely we find that this standard is a very simple one and is this: we admire them, we envy them, for great qualities which we ourselves lack. Icon worship consists in just that. Our icons are the men and women who do things which we recognize with regret and sometimes with a secret shame that we cannot do. We find not much in ourselves to admire, we always privately want to be like somebody else. Mark Twain has said once, If everybody was satisfied with himself there would be no icons. Who do I believe is an American icon; someone whom I believe Americans truly worship? Honestly, I personally do not have any icons.


I have never felt the need to be like someone else. I have never looked towards others to draw strength or inspiration from. I have never aspired to be like someone else, and growing up, I never thought it impossible to measure up to true greatness. It is impossible for me to identify a person whom American society recognizes as an icon simply because I recognize myself as an individual. As a society, people do look to icons as guides to their own lives, yet as individuals, we tend to look to ourselves. Yes, I recognize the need that societies have for icons. I also recognize the benefits of having someone such as an icon who represents the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of others.


However, it is not necessary for me to believe in an American icon in order to acknowledge or understand the existence of them. However, there are people that can be considered icons. Especially, people can have icons when it comes to a popular culture. Music icons are vivid examples of what an icon can be for the society. In my opinion, Madonna can be a perfect example of what icon in our society is. In todays music videos the audience is faced with the confronting image of rampant commercialism mixed with mediocre production values.


How is the viewer supposed to react to the fashion, magazines, and the aura of stars in music videos? More importantly, can the audience actually derive any realistic and honest meanings from music videos? Music video can be very influential in how society perceives itself; however, it does not mirror societys values, glorifying poor moral values and condemning normality. Therefore, viewers have a choice to interpret the clip based on their own meanings and values; they may take it seriously or render it as redundant and meaningless banter which serves no real use (apart from momentary entertainment) to society. Nevertheless, the majority of our society accepts Madonna, moreover, for lots of people Madonna is an icon. Madonna, conversely, is concerned with the plight of the female and gender stereotypes. She does not allow her body to be dismantled and objectified nor does she provide messages for men that lead to abuse, rape or death of women. She has used her sexuality to empower herself showing a natural flair for independence and power.


She is a real icon. The only meaning Madonna is trying to convey in her music videos is that each person can control their sexuality and social identity, and that these things are not pre-determined. This is what makes Madonna so popular and this is what people like about her, which shows that Madonna is an icon. Madonna knows of the aura of power that is inherently held by music stars proclaiming, Power is a great aphrodisiac, and Im a very powerful person and I want to conquer the world. Actually, Madonna conquered the world. Madonna should be also respected because she reached her goals, which certainly were not the easy ones. However, she has rarely wandered from the normal promotional responsibilities of a contemporary artist, so is her power more of a mass media creation? Madonnas phenomenal popularity simply cannot be accounted for by her music, her personality, or even her sexuality.


Once People magazine asked a question about Madonna, But is she really beautiful? and answers, Of course shes beautiful. That comes with the territory, with the power (People, 1991:109). Her vast amount of power can be sourced to the mass media w ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: icon, madonna, music video, music videos, music

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