Rationale
My reasons for deciding to answer my essential question as I did can be separated into two categories: The symbolic meaning behind my choice and how it relates to my personal learning style.
Predominantly, my choice was based on the symbolism of the structure. The base model of the brain symbolizes the characters' perspectives, and the fact that the miniature scroll with the web site address on it is located inside the brain is used to express the notion that the responses that I express online in relation to each character are an attempt to see the world from their distinct perspectives. As my essential question is a very personal one and requires unique answers for each character, I felt it was important to leave enough space to have a fully developed, organized answer making it much more practical (and environmentally friendly!) to post the bulk of my work online and share the link.
The second part of my project that is based on symbolism is the images, quotes and other small items attached to the outside of the brain model, as well as the black feathered mask. The images, quotes and other items attached to the outside are symbolic of items, of physical things or abstract ideas that we bind together and accept as part of our identities. For example, the Indian and Canadian flags indicate the portion of our identity that is made up of patriotism and loyalty to our country. This concept is especially important for Nandana and Maya who both must accept being a part of both countries, sometimes through conflicting interests and disorientingly different cultures and ways of life. The Indian food, such as the chakkuli and the sauce plate are indicative of Indian ways of living that are engraved deep into the identities of several primary characters: Sripathi, Nirmala, Ammayya, even Putti. The Mars bar and warm winter jackets serve the same purpose for Nandana's identity, displaying objects that were part of her Canadian identity and are still part of who she is. The little pieces of mirrors spread across the model represent the general truth that we are all, to some extent, a reflection of the world around us. Like fun house mirrors, the image may be distorted or varied, but still somewhat reflective of our environment. The quotes attached to the model are all different outside perspective and ideas about identity and also contribute to the construction of a structure that shows how individual identity is affected by the world around us and outside of ourselves. Finally, the large black feathered mask covering the frontal portion of the brain epitomizes how our true identities can become lost or hidden if we let the world around us overcome us and fail to maintain a sturdy hold on our individualism and personal identity.
The second component to my explanation of my project choice is in relation to my personal learning style. Over the past several years, I have discovered though quizzes and studies in various courses that I am a primarily bodily kinesthetic (or tactile) learner, with strong secondary and tertiary learning styles in writing and visuals. In this project, I attempted to bring together all of my most prominent learning styles and create a project that played off of all three. The building of the paper maché model and all of its props was helpful in connecting to my kinesthetic learning style, keeping me moving and affiliated with the project. As well, all of the visuals associated with the model kept my visual learning active and involved. To engage in my reading-writing learning style, the majority of my project was in written, essay response format, which was also a practicality in throughly discussing my perspectives and responses to my essential question.
Thank you for taking the time to read through all of my thoughts and reflections, I hope you enjoyed!
My reasons for deciding to answer my essential question as I did can be separated into two categories: The symbolic meaning behind my choice and how it relates to my personal learning style.
Predominantly, my choice was based on the symbolism of the structure. The base model of the brain symbolizes the characters' perspectives, and the fact that the miniature scroll with the web site address on it is located inside the brain is used to express the notion that the responses that I express online in relation to each character are an attempt to see the world from their distinct perspectives. As my essential question is a very personal one and requires unique answers for each character, I felt it was important to leave enough space to have a fully developed, organized answer making it much more practical (and environmentally friendly!) to post the bulk of my work online and share the link.
The second part of my project that is based on symbolism is the images, quotes and other small items attached to the outside of the brain model, as well as the black feathered mask. The images, quotes and other items attached to the outside are symbolic of items, of physical things or abstract ideas that we bind together and accept as part of our identities. For example, the Indian and Canadian flags indicate the portion of our identity that is made up of patriotism and loyalty to our country. This concept is especially important for Nandana and Maya who both must accept being a part of both countries, sometimes through conflicting interests and disorientingly different cultures and ways of life. The Indian food, such as the chakkuli and the sauce plate are indicative of Indian ways of living that are engraved deep into the identities of several primary characters: Sripathi, Nirmala, Ammayya, even Putti. The Mars bar and warm winter jackets serve the same purpose for Nandana's identity, displaying objects that were part of her Canadian identity and are still part of who she is. The little pieces of mirrors spread across the model represent the general truth that we are all, to some extent, a reflection of the world around us. Like fun house mirrors, the image may be distorted or varied, but still somewhat reflective of our environment. The quotes attached to the model are all different outside perspective and ideas about identity and also contribute to the construction of a structure that shows how individual identity is affected by the world around us and outside of ourselves. Finally, the large black feathered mask covering the frontal portion of the brain epitomizes how our true identities can become lost or hidden if we let the world around us overcome us and fail to maintain a sturdy hold on our individualism and personal identity.
The second component to my explanation of my project choice is in relation to my personal learning style. Over the past several years, I have discovered though quizzes and studies in various courses that I am a primarily bodily kinesthetic (or tactile) learner, with strong secondary and tertiary learning styles in writing and visuals. In this project, I attempted to bring together all of my most prominent learning styles and create a project that played off of all three. The building of the paper maché model and all of its props was helpful in connecting to my kinesthetic learning style, keeping me moving and affiliated with the project. As well, all of the visuals associated with the model kept my visual learning active and involved. To engage in my reading-writing learning style, the majority of my project was in written, essay response format, which was also a practicality in throughly discussing my perspectives and responses to my essential question.
Thank you for taking the time to read through all of my thoughts and reflections, I hope you enjoyed!