Berger

In the reading From Ways of Seeing, Berger grasps certain concepts pertaining to the idea in which women and men are perceived. He explains that women are classified as the "surveyed" while men are the "surveyors". Women view themselves and watch others view themselves as well. Berger states that "men act and women appear"(5). He offers a great analogy from the Bible regarding Adam and Eve. Until they ate the apple from the tree of knowledge, they were not ashamed to be naked. This provides great insight for me to get a better understanding of what he is trying to explain. The way people are viewed varies from person to person, whether it is a matter of age, gender, race, appearance, etc. Later after the biblical event, Berger states that "the shame becomes a kind of display" (6). This is in regard to the Renaissance when artists depict paintings where women and men are no longer nude. They are covered by leaves or their hands. They a have become ashamed of being naked because of the way others perceive them now. There is so much judgment in the world, it takes the fearless to think and act freely. I am still unfamiliar with what Berger says about the difference between nudity and nakedness. I feel as if he explains nakedness in more of a shameful manner, whereas nudity is embraced. This reading has opened my eyes to seeing things a bit differently. You must free you mind as if it was subconscious when it comes to analyzing others and readings. You must almost forget what you were brought up to think what was right and wrong.