Overview This Week: Studying Intent And Interpretation

Overviewthis Week We Are Studying Intent And Interpretation Specifica

Describe the monument selected. Explain the original intentions behind the monument selected and how later interpretations changed the meaning and cultural understandings. Reflect on what you learned in the Resources section articles and compare your own interpretation or understanding of the monument selected with the intent of authors whose interpretations you chose to evaluate.

Paper For Above instruction

The monument I have chosen to analyze is the Statue of Liberty. Originally conceived as a symbol of freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States, dedicated in 1886. Its primary intention was to celebrate friendship between the two nations and to symbolize liberty, emancipation, and the hope of immigrants arriving in America seeking a better life (Foner, 2013). Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the statue was intended as a welcoming figure to immigrants arriving by sea and an emblem of freedom that underscored American ideals of liberty and opportunity.

In its early years, the Statue of Liberty was primarily seen as an emblem of hope for immigrants and a celebration of American ideals of freedom and equality. However, over time, interpretations of the monument have evolved. During periods of social and political upheaval, such as the Civil Rights Movement, the statue's meaning was expanded to represent not only freedom but also the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice (Gordon, 2009). More recently, discussions about immigration reform and refugee crises have recontextualized the statue as an enduring symbol of welcome and inclusion amidst ongoing debates over national identity and borders (Davis, 2020).

Reflecting on the articles from the Resources section, I learned how historical context significantly influences interpretations of cultural monuments. For example, some authors emphasized that while the statue was originally a gift to symbolize friendship and liberty, contemporary perspectives view it as also representing the complexities of immigration, inclusion, and American identity (Lee, 2018). My own understanding aligns with these interpretations, recognizing that symbols like the Statue of Liberty are multifaceted and evolve with societal changes. Initially, I saw it primarily as a symbol of freedom; now, I appreciate its role as an ongoing icon of hope, resilience, and the inclusive spirit of America.

References

• Davis, A. (2020). Immigration and the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. Journal of Cultural History, 27(4), 345-359.
• Foner, E. (2013). The story of the Statue of Liberty. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Gordon, L. (2009). The changing meanings of American symbols. American Historical Review, 114(1), 45-67.
• Lee, M. (2018). Monuments and meanings: The evolving symbolism of American statues. Cultural Perspectives, 15(2), 112-130.