Cultural and Historical Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Cultural and Historical Studies - Essay Example However, fashion is to a greater extent a term that refers further than the clothing aspect. As Kratz et al (1998) suggest, fashion can be broadly defined as a cultural phenomenon since it is concerned with different meanings and symbols. It is thus a mode of instant and direct visual communication. They contend that fashion can be broadly used to refer to other aspects such as hair styles, accessories make up and can also include other items that do not have anything at all to do with clothing (1998, p. 195). Therefore, there are a lot of assumptions that can be made about an individual through the mere observation of the dress they are wearing. These include the part of the continent that they are likely to be coming from, the kind of job that they are likely to hold, or even their economic position. However, an important question is still raised as to whether we as the audience are able to make a true assumption of the true character of an individual simply by looking at what they wear. In general, however, fashion is mostly about identity, which is used to define the self as Roche (2000, p. 123) describes it as the â€Å"most talkative of all social facts†. On the other hand, identity can be defined as a way through which individuals can represent themselves in a social manner. It is this that mediates the relationship between the individual and the social world within which he lives. There are a number of reasons that push an individual to want to express their identity. These mainly revolve around issues that are related to the social status, the economic class, gender, age, race, ethnicity, religious condition, recreation, sexual orientation and individualism. When fashion is applied in a creative way, individuals are able to confirm or reject most of these aspects about identity and fashion (Barker 2000, p. 58).

Rommels Leadership in the Battle of El Alamein Essay

Rommels Leadership in the Battle of El Alamein - Essay Example Despite Rommel’s many talents, he was soundly defeated. That meant the end of the German campaign in North Africa. Rommel had many successes during his North African battles, even at the ill-fated battle of El Alamein. Rommel has been regarded as a brilliant military commander in both tactical and strategic levels, as much as his sphere of command can control. Rommel was aware that the forces under his command were numerically inferior against the British forces based in North Africa. They were also lacking in sufficient supplies. Despite such disadvantage, Rommel caused a lot of mayhem with a disproportionately small number of tanks and supplies. As Greene (2006) observed: What was most devastating about this offensive was the novel way Rommel fought. He used the desert as if it were an ocean. Despite supply problems and difficult terrain, he kept his tanks in perpetual motion. The British could not let up their guard for a moment and this mentally exhausted them†¦ Instead of pushing forward and to punch holes in the enemy lines, he would send out his weakest tanks, then have them retreat at first contact; the British tanks would invariably swallow the bait and go in pursuit, kicking up so much of their own dust in the process that they would not see they were running straight into a line of German antitank guns. (pp.190-191) Rommel relied on speed and surprise to make his strategy work to his advantage. He used small forces to outmaneuver and outsmart his numerous British opponents. Rommel would ride ahead, risking death so that he could make rapid decisions on the move. He devoured information about the enemy, made himself an expert on tank technology, memorized maps, and personalized his relationship with his men (Greene, 2006, p.38). Rommel also never allowed any of Hitler’s political directives to undermine his command. When Hitler ordered that Jews among the German military be shot, Rommel