We need to continue practicing how to rhetorically analyze an image. So, choose one of the images from this week's reading and do the following: 1) Identify, in a thesis statement, the argument the image is making and 2) Use one of our key words to analyze it (medium, purpose, audiences, design, structure, subjects, logos, ethos, pathos, or kairos)
In your response to a peer, continue their analysis by using a DIFFERENT key term.
The image on page 99 by Jim Borgman, “I want to be...,1998” is making the argument of young American girls want to be thin and look breath taking at all times in order to be socially accepted. Also that Fast food is a part of America in a huge way but because of this, some people (because guys can have it to) may result in having an eating disorder in order to have the perfect image. The medium in which the image is being presented is in a cartoon form. This gives the topic a lighter feel. The cartoon being in black and white does not harm nor does it benefit what Jim Borgman is trying to convey that is because it allows the reader to form their own option on the topic. It has nothing popping out at you scream” looking at me first.” Now on the other hand if the cartoon had the happy meal in color than the focus would be more on the part of the captain that says…”I have to go vomit my happy meal.” Also the image being in a cartoon and still playing up the social roles of male and females in the way that the young girl is the one with image issues and not the young boy who is standing there simply listening to her complain about how she wants to be thin like “McBeal and stacked like Barbie” which are both very well known. Jim Borgman did a fine job on bring a lot in on just a simple cartoon image.
ReplyDelete1)Young men who drink milk have the ability to become invisible to harm and destruction because milk is a miracle-maker.
ReplyDelete2)The Got Milk? print ad of world-champion bicyclist Dave Mira is structured in a sense to suggest sexual appeal. The focus of the image is immediately drawn to Mira’s shirtless body; he stands with his muscular arms held out while one hands grasps a cup of milk and the other on the handlebar of a bike that leans behind him. Mira’s body is also lighted in the ad to appear golden and shinier than usual. Attention is then drawn to his visible baby blue boxer briefs that are supposed to be sexy; it is quite unnecessary for the briefs to be seen. Nevertheless, the audience then makes way to the caption and reads that the ad is suggesting men to drink milk to become like Mira, “surviving getting hit by a car and surviving back flips” because milk works miracles. The one logos aspect that the caption holds is in the fact that it provides saying milk prevents broken bones with calcium. However, the sponsor is losing credibility or ethos when it claims that its product can make men indestructible.
Yukita, I like how you noticed that the cartoon is in black and white to allow the readers to form their own opinion on the image; it’s really insightful! As for the cartoon itself, I believe Borgman was attempting to offend his teenager and young adult female audience. They little girl in the picture appears quite mature-looking, perhaps her teen years, but she is playing with Barbie dolls and eating a happy meal, which suggests that women who don’t love their bodies are still immature girls. Men who see women that don’t appreciate themselves are appalled and not interested in them, like the guy in the cartoon.
ReplyDeleteIn our reading from “Beyond Words” on page 98 there is an advertisement for Pepsi, which David Beckham is used to promote the product. I think the argument that this image is trying to making is that Pepsi is the best soda product because it is a champion like David Beckham, and if you drink Pepsi you can also be like David Beckham and win your own life battles. This advertisement has many individual features to catch the attention of the viewer but the most obvious feature is David Beckham. The advertisement is mainly focused on drawing in the audience by using ethos. David Beckham is an extremely famous and handsome soccer player. Therefore, people can admire him for his success, skills, and good looks. Pepsi is trying to persuade people that if you drink Pepsi you can become a champion like David Beckham because all athletes are warriors. However, this ad strong depends on its viewers recognizing David Beckham, which may be difficult for some people because he is not in uniform and half of his face is shaded. Not to mention the leather soccer ball is hard to pick out. I do not believe this advertisement is successful because it is not clear that David Beckham is the man on it. It doesn’t make too much sense using Beckham in a Pepsi advertisement because athletes do not drink soda during games. It would be more appropriate for him to be the focus in a Gatorade or got milk? advertisement.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Ania, it is true that got milk? is attracting its viewer by using pathos and ethos due to the sexual innuendos and telling the viewers that they can become indestructible like Mira. However, I think it is also important to notice how the advertisement’s text is setup. The description of Mira is directly below Mira and is very small wanting the viewers to first notice Mira’s body. You need to also realize the text “Miracle maker” right under the glass of milk Mira is holding. This is extremely important because they are advertising milk meaning that Mira could not be called the “Miracle Boy” without the milk.
I chose the image titled “I want to be.” The little girl in the image is playing with Barbie dolls, with a sad look on her face. The caption of the image explains the little girl’s frown. The image is arguing that personal image means everything to young girls, which can in turn be ironic. Since there is a happy meal, a juice box, a Barbie doll, a doll house, and a book located next to the girl, one would think that she would be happy. However, after reading the caption, you realize that the purpose of the image is to point out the irony of the “importance” of self-image. The girl says she has to vomit her happy meal, which is extremely ironic considering that a happy meal is usually the basis of happiness to young children.
ReplyDeleteA critical part of the image is the medium, or cartoon. Since the cartoon uses humor to portray stress on self-image, a cartoon would be completely appropriate. The cartoon also ties in ethos by using examples of perfect self-image such as Barbie dolls, Ally McBeal, and supermodels; all of which are very well known, thus credible and relatable.
In response to Kelly, I agree that the image’s argument basically says that if you drink Pepsi, you can be like David Beckham. However, I think that the image’s argument is successful because of showing famous David Beckham. The bold phrase, “let bag title commence” also plays a huge part in the image. By also phrasing “dare for more,” it leaves the audience with a push to try the Pepsi product. Ethos is important because David Beckham and the Pepsi product are very well known and recognizable.
The image I will be analyzing is item 3.5 Jim Borgman, I Want to Be…., 1998. Which is addressing the affect of the media portrayal of beauty on young girls in America society. This picture at a first glimpse would seem to the audience to be narrow and blunt with its purpose. But the fact that the medium of this picture is in a black and white cartoon form gives it the ability to reach a broader audience. Also, the fact that the medium is in a cartoon form depicting young kids express the idea that the obsession of beauty is rooted in Americans at a young age. While the fact that this two young kids is surrounded by things connected to the media like Barbie, magazine, Cds, and television shows that young Americans are constantly surrounded with media, this aspect of the image leads the audience to the conclusion that the media is deeply connected to the obsession that young people have with being beautiful. Besides the media being highly involve with the misconception of beauty the image also suggest with the confused and nonchalant expression of the young boy that the obsession with beauty affects the girls more in America’s society. The presence of the happy meal and the fact that the young girl feels the need to throw up the happy meal to keep up with the media portrayal of beauty emphasize the idea that the media gives a unreachable and exaggerated image of what is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnia, I agree that the sponsor is losing credibility with its exaggerating claims of the product of milk making you Indestructible. But I feel that this image had less to do with sexuality and more with ideal of being indestructible. The fact that they use a bicyclist that survive so much near death experience, the way he is holding the cup and bike carelessly, and the fact that his body is still strong despite all that he have been through makes the audience focus more on the ideal of being indestructible than sexuality.
In response to: Ania Bang
ReplyDeleteThe Got Milk? Print ad structure does give off a sense of sexual appeal but it does this through details also. The very handsome shirt less Dave Mira is the beginning I agree with you. The factor of him being so muscular is a strong detail. The lighting of the ad draws your eye focus right to him because he is the main part. I really liked your analysis, I also agree that the ad lost credibility with the “men being indestructible” claim.
There are different kinds of people in this world, different races, different religions; we don’t all look like Barbie.
ReplyDeleteI choose to do item 3.8 Razanne Doll and Muslim Girl. The key term that I am going to use for this particular picture is design. In this photograph it shows a girl, in what looks to be her living room sitting on the floor looking up Razanne her doll. It kind of looks like a Barbie, but it is geared more to younger children of Muslim faith because she looks more like they do. I find it very cool to see this doll because we have so many different “Barbie’s”, but I never thought about what this doll represents. The doll looks just like the little girl in the picture. When you are younger you always wanted a doll that looked like you and now with the smile on her face I can tell she is happy to have Razanne. There are even religious books sitting right next to the doll, which just shows even more her Muslim faith. Also the doll’s skin tone is not white. It is more of an olive tone. I like how the doll is the focal point of the picture and how the girl is looking up at the doll. It is almost representing that she is happy for who she is and proud about where she is. The little girl seems like she lives in a good home and looks very happy to where she is and even more excited to have a Razanne doll that looks just like she does.
Michelle: Also I think the purpose of this might also be to show that yes even though this may be a cartoon that this does actually happen. There is much in music and what we see in television, and even the way a Barbie doll looks. That one may feel obliged to look that way as well. I think you came up with some very interesting facts and agree with it all.
Image 3.8 on pg.103 (Razanne Doll and Muslim Girl) is making the argument that Muslim girls should play with the Razanne doll instead of the classic Barbie doll because the Barbie doll defies a womans' modesty. I believe there are two audiences that the image is attempting to reach, Muslim-American girls and American families. For Muslim-American girls, it gives them a role model to play with that encourages modesty and purity of female sexuality unlike the classic Barbie. The classic Barbie has big breasts a tiny waist and wide hips with figure hugging outfits that show lots of skin. This influences young girls from a very young age, convincing them that this is what a woman should look like although it is impossible for most women to have that type of figure. It also teaches them that flaunting your sexuality through tight clothes and showing a lot of skin is the only way to be perceived as beautiful and get attention from the opposite sex. The Razanne doll wants to influence Muslim girls in the Middle East and the West that a woman should not and does not need to flaunt her sexuality but instead be conservative and modest because that is more respectful. I believe that the image also targets American families to show them the role model that young Muslim girls have with the Razanne doll and how it does not put any pressure on them to be any other way than they are since the doll is covered from head to toe in clothing. Therefore, Muslim girls will have a more positive body image since there is no iconic doll to measure up to.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Michelle, I believe that the image is also appealing to the audience by pathos making Americans stop and think of the consequences that have stemmed from allowing images of unrealistic beauty influence American women from birth. The images moves audiences to anger over the constant pressure being pushed on young girls to the point that they have eating disorders and later on beg for boob jobs as graduation gifts.
The image of the Razanne Doll and the Muslim girl is arguing that dolls may represent cultural expectations. If we look at the context, if any American thinks of a doll the first thing that comes to mind is Barbie. She has a perfect shapely figure with long luscious blonde hair and rides around in a pink jeep or sports car; a hot-bod, money, and nice car sounds like today’s “American Dream.” However when we look at the Razanne doll, we see no resemblance of Barbie. The doll’s figure is hidden by outerwear from head to toe just like the Muslim girl next to her in the image. It is obvious that different dolls are directed towards different audiences when comparing the two. Moreover, different cultures have different traditions or rules, and with appearance being heavily impacted, dolls for children will relate to cultural expectations to keep traditions alive.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Got Milk? Ad is structured in the sense of sexual appeal being that the first thing that attracts your eye to the ad is Dave Mirra’s upper body and abdominal area. However as you move down his figure you are presented with text that informs you of Dave’s achievements and survival between double back flips, car accidents, and bike ramps. His title “Miracle Boy” appeals to ethos and encourages viewers that goals can be reached, even with failed attempts; just drink milk and keep your body healthy.
The image on page 479 called “At the time of Louisville” shows a great comparison of a poster with the ideal white American family compared to the realistic conditions many African Americans in Louisville were suffering through during the Great Depression.
ReplyDeleteThis image is effective because pathos is immediately created by anyone who views this image. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the background poster, where a joyful, smiling, attractive white American family appears to be going for a joy ride. Then when you view under the poster you see an opposite image. African Americans are standing in line, appearing frustrated, sad, and very likely hungry. They have little hope in their eyes and appear to very little similarities to the white family shown. This image creates sympathy for the viewer, as they see the harsh conditions these people are living in. The picture being black and white also creates pathos, by making the situation appear even more gloomy and depressing. Due to the absence of colors the pictures nearly makes the African Americans blend into the background. Compared to the words in the background, such as “The World’s Highest Standard of Living,” it appears cruel and almost like a mockery when you see the conditions the people are living in. By wearing rags and appearing very distressed they are clearly far from living the “high standard.” This image causes the audience to feel guilt and empathy for these people, and makes it an effective picture by causing a reaction in the viewers.
In response to Yukita, I feel this image uses pathos to convey its message. By using comedy to reflect a realistic problem in our society, the image is able to convey the audience without coming on too strong. By making the viewer laugh they are enjoy the ad and absorb the message at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThe image of BMX star Dave Mirra argues that drinking milk will help you be strong and unbreakable, leading you to accomplish big things like he has. The purpose of this ad is to encourage young people to drink milk often to build strong bones. The ad utilizes ethos by presenting this persuasion through a celebrity endorsement. After reading the text on this ad that tells of Mirra surviving double back flips, getting hit by a car, and the mega ramp and also of his winning of gold medals in an aggressive, cocky tone the audience realizes this man is tough and has survived a lot. Thus establishing that he must have strong bones that were built by milk. If I’m a young person with ambition to break records and be successful in my sport then I will listen to someone who has done so and heed their advice. That’s exactly how the Got Milk ad has established ethos through Mirra.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Natascha,
I think structure would be a great thing to talk about when analyzing item 3.8. Although you touched on where everything is, I think further developing how having the religious books there and how the girl is smiling and such and then relating it to how it helps the argument trying to be made would help support your argument and relate it back to your thesis.
Image: Cartoon on page 99 by Jim Borgman
ReplyDeleteThe cartoon is trying to argue that there is an increase in eating problems because people are trying to become what society deems as perfect. The purpose of this cartoon is to bring to attention that the cause of eating problems like bulimia, throwing up after eating, is caused because people get in their minds that they need to be perfect like the things they have or see. Also it shows that it is starting to affect even younger and younger children.
In response to Ashton Harrison
You made a very good point about the pathos of this image but to me what really sticks out is the audience that this picture is targeting. I think that because the picture is of a displaced line of African Americans in front of a billboard saying talking about the standards of living is supposed to target the hearts of the white society of America. This is evident because even though a natural disaster occurred the majority of the people effected, in this picture at least, is the African American community and this is supposed to target the whites because it lets them see the hardships that most do not normally go through.
1)Drinking milk makes your bones stronger as it would prevent from getting broken bones.
ReplyDelete2)I obviously chose the photo on pg. 265 titled "Got Milk". This photo is a photo of world champion BMX bicyclist Dave Mirra. The purpose of this photo is to convince people and advertise that milk is good for the bones. The makers of this advertisement believe that buy choosing a celebrity such as Dave Mirra, it will make their ad better. Since Dave Mirra is a BMX rider, people may know that he has injured himself many times. Yet he still continues to come back and continue BMX riding. Therefor people may believe the advertisement that milk really is a "miracle maker" and helps your bones that much. In addition, the advertisers use sex appeal to make this ad more attractive as well. Whether you are a guy or a girl, a person will look at the ad and say "wow he is pretty strong" or girls may just be attracted to his looks, attracting them to the ad. The point is that people will look at it. Then they go on to read what the ad is trying to promote. It is also important the way they chose to place things in specific spots. The main factor that will get the attention of viewers is Dave Mirra's body. Then they place the words "Miracle Maker" right underneath a glass of milk that he is holding. Then at the bottom they place a couple sentences explaining how Dave Mirra has gotten hurt but he drinks milk to make him indestructible. That is the main purpose of this advertisement, sell milk and make people believe that it helps prevent broken bones.
Brooke I like everything you had to say about the image you chose and it is all very true. In addition to your response I noticed something in the structure of this photo. When I look at this photo I see a lot of things going on, and it may actually take a while before everything comes together. For example you have to first look at the girl and the adult, then look at all the things surrounding the girl, and then finally read the sentence that somewhat explains what is going on. This is an ad that makes you think and requires a lot of attention. It is not like other advertisements in which a reader can notice what is being promoted with just a glimpse. Due to the style of this advertisement I am not very sure if it is a successful ad.
Dorthea Lange’s photo Drought Refugees Camping by the Roadside on page 97, poses the argument that families who lived during the great depression often felt completely hopeless and in despair. The photo uses design to evoke pathos from the viewer. It is taken in black and white, which focuses our view solely on the discouraged facial expressions on the father, mother and even young child. The father is the in the foreground of the photo, expressing his role as the patriarch and leader of the family. He is the one who should be holding it together for his family however, his furrowed brow, blank stare and slumped posture are the primary focus of the image. In the background the mother is shown, rather than coddling her child, is feebly clutching on to him. They are also showed sitting on a picnic table wearing tattered clothing and covered in dirt. These elements of design work together to highlight the family’s unfortunate predicament and feelings of overwhelming desperation about it. The viewer intern feels compassion and sympathy for the family in the photo (pathos).
ReplyDeleteIn response to Kelly, to continue your analysis, another element of the photo that is evident is its targeted audience; young adults. Young adults who admire David Beckham as an athlete are attracted to this add by his presence alone. Girls are lured in by his good looks. Boy are enticed by his fierce gladiator outfit and rugged appeal.
The photo I chose to do was Dorothea Lange’s photo, Drought Refugees Camping by the Roadside on page 97. The argument that this photo is making is that during the Great Depression many people were affected in some way. The hardships people faced during the Great Depression were real and this photo is a clear indication that it was not staged in any way. By looking at the photo the audience can sense that it was taken at the most opportune time, otherwise known as kairos. The photo is of a family in what seems to be their makeshift home with a wooden floor with sheets and blankets on it and a tarp over their heads. The photo is not in any way a photo shoot and the photo was not shot just to add to another collection, but to show a glimpse of what happened to these people. Just by looking at the man, the audience can sense the defeated look on his face since there was nothing he could do to turn his current situation around. His appearance, which is a bit scruffy and he has some dirt marks on his hand, is not faked just for the photo. The woman has a worried expression on her face, which also cannot be faked. She has every reason to worry because of the situation she was in. The photo happened at the best time because it showed the realism of what these people endured during the Great Depression.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Yukita, the purpose of the cartoon is to show how a person, famous or not, influences young girls to want to have perfect bodies and the only way to attain it is to vomit her happy meal. In today's day and age young girls look up to supermodels and Barbies and want to be just like them and will go through desperate measures to do so.
The painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper is extremely well known, to the point that most people in our country would recognize it. Despite this familiarity, most people don’t ever really look into what this painting means and take it only at face value. The painting seems to be making a point about the nightlife, a word that immediately brings flashy clubs and wild parties to mind. Hopper is attempting to show the reality of the nightlife, that maybe it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.
ReplyDeleteOne important way to analyze this painting is to look at its context. The people in the photo are dressed in a way that suggests they are going to or coming from somewhere far fancier than the diner in which they currently reside. But why are in the diner? If they have just come from or are going to a high-end social engagement why are they sitting down in some seedy diner with a bored expression on their faces? They are in the diner because their visions of parties and good times never came true, instead they face the bitter reality of night in their city, a sentiment that I have experienced many times myself.
In response to Alix:
Another way that Dorothea Lange’s photo can be analyzed is by looking at the medium which is being used. Photos excel at showing emotions and situations that words can never describe and Lange uses this to its full extent in the picture of this family. The photo clearly displays the misery which this family feels, but by its nature, the camera can only show a single moment of their unhappiness. The viewer sees how much pain and suffering these people feel in a single moment and realize that it doesn’t stop after the camera flashes. This medium does much to reinforce Lange’s point.
If you drink milk, you will be just like Dave Mirra; a champion. The fact that he is a pro BMX rider establishes that he has obviously been in many situations that require strong bones and a healthy body. He gives the add ethos because of his obvious affiliation with health and resistance to injury. His audience, however, is the greatest pull he has, and is probably the main reason he is in this add. Young adult males are probably one of the hardest groups of people to get to consume healthy products like milk in today's fast food driven society, where a coke is so much more appealing and easier to get than a glass of milk. He appeals to audiences of young males who wish to excel in extreme sports, like most young adult males, and males who look up to such athletes for their fame and talent that are looking for the miracle that will make them just like Dave, and then they see the: Got Milk? The company is trying to sell milk in this way, they say Dave is cool, Dave drinks milk, so if you are cool you will drink milk, it’s the same concept that sells things that are not so cool like marijuana, little Wayne smokes weed, he’s cool, so if you are cool you will smoke weed too.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Stephanie I really liked your analysis of the picture and how it appeals to the audience of the Muslim girls because of their difference in culture, it almost makes you think that it may be beneficial to the body image of the American girl to play with more modest and imperfect dolls as well.
I chose to look at item 3.5 on page 99.
ReplyDeleteThis image claims that American society is ironic because it expects women and girls to be unnaturally thin and busty- to have the "perfect" body though at the same time is powered by fast food. This image is a critical commentary on current American society, it focuses on an issue that directly affects about half of the population. Because it's an issue that spreads across so many demographics, the medium is extremely important. This image was most likely printed in a newspaper, and most likely in a widely distributed newspaper such as the New York Times. This is crucial because at the time of it's publication (1998) this was still one of the best ways to reach many people. It allows the image to become almost a social justice/service announcement because most of the population has access to newspapers and because eating disorders and massive consumption of fast foods are issues which spread across the country and pose serious threats to health.
To continue Alyssa's comment I will look at the purpose of the Dorothea Lange's photo. The raw, unvarnished state of the family in the photo makes the photo's purpose "muckraking". During the depression photo journalists such as Jacob Riis, Dorothea Lange and others began taking photos of families reduced to utter poverty and despair. The photos were circulated to shed light on the reality of our country at the time because while most people were impoverished, there was still an upperclass living in an ignorant world, maintaining their lavish lifestyles. The desperation conveyed in the photo makes it obvious that the photographer/publisher is trying to raise awareness and concern for the subjects, and others in a similar situation. It is almost difficult for such uncensored images to serve any other purpose than to expose.
For this weeks reading, I chose to analyze the "Got Milk?" ad featuring BMX bicyclist Dave Mirra. This ad was effective in that it persuades the target audience to drink more milk, because its healthy for you, and because people like Dave Mirra drink it. The medium of this ad is a picture-like poster, commonly found in magazines, are oversized hanging posters, or even on billboards. They are very effective especially in places where they are easily viewable to the target audience, which would more than likely been teenage girls and boys. "Got Milk?" ads were always huge hanging posters in the cafeteria in my high school and had different spokespeople to satisfy different tastes. Having spokes people in their ads such as Dave Mirra, help make the ad effective in that it builds the credibility as to why someone should drink milk. If you drink milk, you can look like Dave Mirra. However, I think the most important effect of this ad is the structure. It's built so that the viewer has to work their way down Mirra's body to even see the main point of the ad... the famous "Got Milk?" slogan and it's witty caption. This is what grabs the audiences (most likely teen girls or anyone that likes to look at athletic men without their shirts on). The structure, medium, and use of famous BMX racer Dave Mirra help make this ad effective in that it persuades the audience to drink more milk.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Alix, I think that yet another angle of analyzing this photo would be the prospective audience that it is targeting. Yes, the structure and detailing of the photograph help explain to the reader the circumstances of the Great Depression, but I think that the targeted audience is a younger generation. It's taken in black and white to express what a photograph would have looked like back then. The whole point of the photograph is to document history and to show to younger generations to teach them about what living through the great depression was really like. I like that you added that from the facial expressions on the mother and father, that they felt hopeless. I agree that the detailing of the photograph is used to evoke pathos out of the viewer, but it can also be taken for an educational purpose as well.
I chose to use the “got milk?” advertisement on page 265. The purpose of this ad is to show that drinking milk can improve your bone strength and allow you to excel in sports. The creators of this ad were trying to appeal to pathos of the reader. They used the BMX bicyclist Dave Mirra to accomplish this. Dave Mirra is used as sex appeal in this ad. He is shirtless and has one hand on a bicycle to help the reader to recognize him. He is attracting the reader to the ad as well as displaying the positive aspects of drinking milk. The readers that are curious as to the benefits of milk can look at Dave Mirra’s body and see that he is very toned and strong. At the bottom of the advertisement there are a few sentences about the durability of Dave during his career and it explains that milk is responsible for this feat. This advertisement also appeals to ethos because the “got milk?” campaign is very popular and has a reputation. The same can be said about Dave Mirra. He is a world class athlete and has many records to his name.
ReplyDeleteDorothea Lange’s Drought Refugees Camping by the Roadside on page 97 Argues for how strongly the great depression affected its victims, especially through the appeal of pathos. This black and white photograph taken in 1936 depicts a homeless family during the depression. A woman hold a toddler in her arms, while a man sits folded over a table. The man’s furrowed brow shows his weariness and lack of enthusiasm for their current situation; and the visible age spots covering his hands reveal his age. The emotion in the man’s expression and in that of the woman’s, strongly affect viewers that could easily relate to or acknowledge their desperation. The woman’s expression and hunched posture depicts anguish and pain. An audience can easily pity the family in worn tattered clothes with haunted expressions that appear skeletal in the photo. Lange’s powerful images moved the public towards action immediately after they were published and delivered food to the homeless and starved families. The baby clinging to the woman’s shirt also appeals to the audience’s emotions. The scared and dirty child would easily move viewer’s towards an action. A hole in the blanket that shelters them from direct sunlight depicts the severity of their situation and calls out to others in much better current lifestyles, as does the torn blanket lying across the picnic table in lieu of a bed. The images’ raw emotion screams out to viewers. Pathos drives the photos focus and the image sends a powerful message across to viewers.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Eric: While I agree that pathos is an important aspect of this ad, I also believe design and structure play a strong role as well. Because the image was taken from below the BMX biker, Dave Mirra appears larger than life, specifically, larger than the electric posts behind him, as his figure dominates the frame. This design aspect might want viewers to assume that Mirra’s massive bulky build came about because he chooses to drink milk. His bike is held behind him as a subtle reference to his sport and the source of his fame. Finally, the design choice to leave Mirra without a shirt broadens the interest group to widen the viewer appreciation.
1) Through the depiction of the muslim girl and the razanne doll, the image helps establish that beauty is perceived differently throughout the world
ReplyDelete2) A big part of what helps to strengthen the argument of this image is that the image uses the subjects in a very important way. There are two figures within the image that look very much alike. Both the razanne doll and the muslim girl have those wraps around their heads and that is not how the western part of the world views the "Barbie doll". The fact that this is considered to be the barbie doll in that country, it supports the claim that beauty is perceived differently throughout the world. The smile on the muslim girl's face indicates that she's happy and proud to have this doll presented before her. Therefore, it is once again established that beauty and the way a woman should look take on different opinions throughout many cultures. The bibles on the table behind the razanne doll also let the audience realize that maybe the way the doll is dressed has something to do with the muslim religion. Therefore, the fact that the muslim girl is smiling could also reflect her pride in her religion as well as her culture.
In response to Tori,
I think that this image also embodies pathos. A big part of how the image uses pathos to state and support its claim is that of Dave Mirra. Dave Mirra represents the attractive figure that advertises and uses milk to stay focused and excel at his sport. I think that your argument on structure can also be used in support of pathos.
The “I Want to Be…” picture on page 99 is displaying the ridiculous actions girls take upon themselves to look good and have an attractive body. It also takes a stab at American culture with reference to the ‘Happy Meal’ from McDonalds. I think the purpose of this image is not to move ‘to’ action but to move ‘from’ action or even to just inform people of this very unhealthy behavior. I say move ‘from’ action of the girl who take part in this whole society of women that do unnatural things to their body in order to look and feel appealing to other people. The audience is definitely a younger crowd but specifically those young girls who do these things to themselves e.g.(the image depicts bulimia). The structure of the photo graph is done in favor for the image. There are two girls, one who is playing with dolls, has a lunch box and some apple juice. This stands in favor of the picture because it takes a look at how young these girls actually begin to degrade their body internally to have an external appeal. The Logos in this writing would be in the really life scenarios of bulimia that are mentioned as well as the signature of the comic and where you can find its origin. The ethos and in how non-extremist the argument is. The girl say very calmly “I’m going to go throw up my Happy Meal” like she would go to the bathroom or brush her hair. This makes it seem like a very unnatural thing has become a norm in this girl’s life in addition to society.
ReplyDeleteI agree with yukita in that the medium of the image being a cartoon does kind of give it a lighter, less ‘in-your-face’ appeal. I also agree with the fact that the colors of the image make no difference to this argument in this particular situation.