Julia Arena

Before taking this class, I had never given much thought to monuments, shrines, and memorials. In fact, I had never given much thought to any of the commemorative rituals that take place in my daily life. This class has taught me to take notice of small commemorative plaques, the heroes we forget to thank, and the controversial aspects of certain monuments. Prior to this class, I had never even considered that a monument or memorial could be offensive. However, this class has taught me to go beyond the surface of these sites and make connections between the viewers, rituals, visual vocabulary, and environment. It actually shocked me when I realized how crucial the surrounding environment can be when studying a memorial, shrine, or monument. 

Another theme I picked up on throughout the course was the importance of these sites in our lives. For many, monuments and memorials can serve as a form of apology to mend feelings of guilt, embarrassment, or sorrow. Additionally, they may be used as a false showing of confidence and stability in times of need. For instance, the National September 11 Memorial may be interpreted as a stance against the devastating act of terrorism against the United States of America. On the other hand, this memorial may be seen as a false showing of confidence in a time of caution, anxiety, and terror. 

In conclusion, this class has given me a new perspective and appreciation for memorials I would have never discovered. It seems every street corner I turn, I now notice all the small showings of thanks and gratitude scattered around Lexington, VA or the Washington and Lee Campus. I am now inspired to keep my eyes out when I return for memorials, shrines, and monuments I have never noticed in the many years I have lived in Fort Worth, TX.