The article “Cave of the Sulfur Eaters” written by Louise D. Hose provides a brief introduction to cave life and focuses on a particular cave in Tabasco, Mexico in which the life hosted by the cave is based on sulfur. At the bottom of the food chain are the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria colonies, which feed invertebrates and fish. These organisms support the life of spiders and insects. The most interesting aspect of this article is the photography of cave life that is not of our world. The “gaze” that the author had in mind when writing the article is the teacher's gaze, and the article is best read from the perspective of pupil or student. Either identification or difference are established (depending on the reader) by the harsh conditions inherent to exploring a cave whose walls are coted in sulfuric acid. A reader who is an explorer that does not mind getting dirty will identify; just about everyone else will establish difference.
In order to introduce the cave, the author digresses to a long tradition of the local inhabitants: a ceremony practiced by the descendants of the Maya, passed down for generations. The fruit of the tradition is the harvesting of thousands of pounds of the cave fish: sustenance for the local population until the rains bring new crops. By explaining that the ceremony prior to the harvest is conducted by men, the author dons a sense of the ancient, sexist traditions of societies which are “living history.” Other than this feature of the article, I believe that engendering the information is avoided at all costs in order to match more closely the teachers gaze, whose target is not gender specific. Most of the images are clearly intended to educate, but some serve the dual purpose of inciting revulsion. These images include a close-up of a snottite and a rock covered in bacterial colony and miges.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Group Leader
ReplyDeleteThe article we chose for blog #4 is called “Cave of the Sulfur Eaters” by Louise D. Hose. This article is in the Natural History Magazine. We chose this magazine because it was the only one we had that had articles as well as pictures. The article is about caves, especially a cave in Tabasco, Mexico containing sulfur. The audience for this article would be those interested in science, especially cave life. The publication audience would be for either men or women, but I think the majority of the audience would be men. I also think these people would have to be the outdoors type and enjoy spending most of their time outside because these people would have to travel around the world to many different locations, such as caves, mountains or volcanoes. These people would also believe in evolution and other scientific theories such as the Big Bang Theory rather than the creation story in the Bible. The audience is most likely interested in science and nature. The audience would have to have a great understanding of basic science material. I think the audience would be archeologists, geologists and maybe even environmentalists. I think the age of the readers would generally be 30 years or older. I feel this way because these people need to be able to understand what they are reading and have probably received a degree in the field of science.
The article we chose is called "Cave of the Sulfur Eaters." It was written by Louise D. Hose, in the Natural History magazine. Difference is addressed in this article by both images and in the article itself. It is shown through images right from the introduction. We see a big picture of what looks to be the cave entrance. A huge gaping mouth that looks both sinister and exciting at the same time. The look of this first picture is enough to for me to read the article and turn the pages. It doesn't just stop there, throughout the whole entire article graphic and captivating pictures keep the reader enthralled. The pictures orient from cave creatures to formed stallagtites and stallagmites. The thing that I liked most about this article is that it does have difference. The fact that someone like me who reads nothing but car and bike magazines can get some enjoyment out of another article from a Natural History magazine says a lot about the literature. At first i thought that this can be looked at only one way, but after reading and analyzing, I realize that this can be more than just educational reading.
ReplyDeleteGroup Member #3
ReplyDeleteThe gaze that the writer is trying to get the reader to take is one of a learner. The pictures with people in them all have those people looking very studious. I do not believe the gaze wants us to look a particular race, gender or class because it is more about studying nature. The only thing in the article that may want us to consider these things is in not the pictures but the introduction. In the introduction it talks about how the natives perform a ceremony, but that has nothing to do with the images. The only way the gaze influences the reader in this particular article is to make the reader more interested in the subject matter. The people in the pictures look very interested in what they are examining so for someone who is interested in this field of study those gazes will make them want to learn more. By one of the gazes being that of the learner, the other gaze is that of the magazine. By showing many images of the caves and animals that live there instead of the scientists shows that the magazine is more concerned with what the reader takes away from nature then what the researchers think.
OK guys--this is looking good. This article was a good choice because it is very visually focused. Alex notes that its appeal lies primarily in difference in terms of the experience of going caving (and the creatures we'll find in the cave) are out of the ordinary, if not frightening to a certain extent. I agree--difference is created through the unknown and uncertaintly of this kind of experience.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, the article engages us to identify with the cavers as explorers. (We all like to think we're adventurous, right?) Stephanie observes that the "gaze" is that of learner. I agree completely. And I think you're right; there's nothing really about gender, race, class, etc, being perpetuated here. Let's consider the context a little more: Since the cave is in Mexico and the author mentions native ceremonies related to the cave--do you think there is any kind of "Western gaze" going on? I also notice the magazine is "Travel Mexico" so this might actually suggest a non Western gaze. Also really good point, Stephanie, that the focus is on the cave and nature--it's not really scientifically oriented. Again the name of the magazine is "Travel Mexico" which says to me that the audience is tourists--American or at least English-speaking tourists who are interested in more than the traditional/basic tourist attractions. Not just any tourist will go down into a cave. If the article were too scientific or the activity were too risky (and I think it appeals to a specific type of tourist--one who is more adventurous) it would create too much difference with the audience. Good work on your discussion.