The Gentlewoman: Language and Representation blog tasks

 Close-textual analysis

Work through the following tasks to complete your close-textual analysis of the Gentlewoman CSP pages:

Gentlewoman front cover 

1) What do the typefaces used on the front cover suggest to an audience?

The typefaces that was used on the front cover suggests to an audience that they want their concept to come out as unique due to their unconventional design and layout. They also focus on how the main image could convey the idea of women empowerment as the make up seems very bold.

2) How does the cover subvert conventional magazine cover design?

The cover subverts conventional magazine cover design due to the layout as most magazines would have a central image with the setting but the cover of Gentlewoman shows that it's in a layout-like-frame. 

3) Write an analysis of the central image.

The central image shows Johansson in a close up shot, highlighting her make up with the purple eyeshadow and her bright red lipstick. This connotes confidence and again reinforces women empowerment as it shows he facial expression in a dominant expression. This also allows audiences to go back to the 1990s style which links to culture and historical context.

4) What representations of gender and celebrity can be found on this front cover?

The representations of gender and celebrity that can be found in the front cover is through the use of Johansson's stern facial expression which again reinforces confidence and independence. Also, this subverts the conventional gender stereotypes where they're usually seen as passive and submissive. The front cover shows how women have gained more women empowerment and dominance. Furthermore, the representations of celebrity are reinforced through the use of the layout and framing of the main image. This shows how audiences would only focus on the main image's facial expression which in this case is rigid. Also, this kind of layout would allow the celebrity's image to stand out. 

5) What gender and representation theories can we apply to this cover of the Gentlewoman? 

The gender and representation theories that we can apply to this cover could be Gauntlett's identity theory. This is the idea that in the modern generation, society provides a more diverse and complex option when it comes to picking their idenity. This is shown in the front cover of Gentlewoman as it shows how women have become less submissive and how they gained power in society, where there's no longer patriarchy (more equal).

Furthermore, Hall's reception theory can also be applied as it shows how the signs and meanings that were being portrayed in the front cover does not lead to societal power dynamics but the front cover subverts it through the idea that women can also have dominance.

In addition, another theory that can be applied to the front cover of Gentlewoman was Butler's theory; the idea that gender is a performance and the idea that gender is not innate but is performative and constructed overtime. This is reinforced in the front cover as it shows how the celebrity can pick how they want to be portrayed in the image or media, depending on their own personal choice. Also, this links to Gauntlett's idea of identity as it shows how people can now 'pick and mix' their identity. 

Feature: Modern Punches

1) How does the feature on Ramla Ali use narrative to engage the audience? Apply narrative theories here.

The narrative theories that are present in Ramla Ali's image could be Propp's character theory. This could be reinforced through the use of Ramla Ali's posture as she was shown as athletic, strong and sporty through he sports clothes. In addition to this, she could be seen as the protagonist due to her brave stance and how she's standing on a chair, which could connote her being in a higher position. 

Another narrative theory that can be linked to Propp's character theory is Todorov's Equilibrium, which in this case is the New Equilibrium due to her stance kind of being victorious and motivated. 

Furthermore, Barthes narrative codes can also be applied here due to the idea that Ramla Ali is in position where we can see how she's physically fit, she seems strong and the idea that there were a short narrative in the text that was on another page. This is where they talked about her boxing career and how she's motivated.

2) What representations can you find in this feature - both interview and image?

A representation that I could find in this feature is Gauntlett's identity theory, which again covers the idea that identity is becoming more fluid and that there's no more fixed identities. This can be seen through Ramla Ali's choice of career, boxing and how she portrays herself when it comes to her body language and positioning.

3) What representation theories can we apply to the Modern Punches feature? 

It rejects Butler's theory that gender is socially constructed as we see her in a tracksuit which is unconventional of the typical stereotypes of women, which people have accepted as feminine. We also see this through her stance where she's seen as dominant and independent. 


Feature: Isabella Tree interview

1) Why is this feature unconventional for a women's lifestyle and fashion magazine? Comment on the use media language in these pages. 

This feature is unconventional for a woman's lifestyle and fashion magazine because it's not what you would normally see in a fashion magazine, especially in a woman's magazine. This is because fashion magazines would usually put fashion brands or make-ups through promotions and what Isabella is trying to portray here is her passion for nature. This is also reinforced through the use of her brands being vegan which again links to nature and the idea of authenticity. 

2) How does the Isabella Tree feature reflect the social and cultural contexts of contemporary Britain? Think about AQA's discussion of lifestyle, environmental issues and ethical movements.

The Isabella Tree feature refelct the social and cultural contexts of contemporary Britain through focusing and reflecting on anxieties about climate change as well as the idea of eco-conscious living. She also focuses on rewilding operates as an ethical stance against human dominance over nature.

3) What representations of nature can be found in this feature?

The representations of nature that can be found in this feature are through the idea that it represents nature as a self-healing, dynamic system. This also shows how nature can simply bring peace to people, which Isabella might be trying to portray. In which people have already forgotten about nature in this generation and so she's trying to shift people's attention back to it through her magazines being unique and unconventional. 

Feature: Stella McCartney and vegan fashion

1) How does this feature reflect contemporary social and cultural contexts?

This feature reflect contemporary social and cultural contexts through ethics and sustainability, promoting animal-free design such as the vegan handbag. They provide awareness when it comes to conscious consumerism and animal right awareness. 

2) Comment on the typography and page design in this feature.

The typography used in this feature was a mix of serif and sans serif fonts. This could connote how she's trying to promote a much more modern brand as well as a mix of post modern. This is further shown in how she uses minimal images and less designs that would probably appeal to readers, which would slightly be conventional due to their company being niche. 

3) What representations can be found in the image accompanying this feature? 
The representations that can be found in the image accompanying this feature shows her in a formal wear and designer clothing but her background shows how shes only in a flat building, which doesn't really show a posh setting or anything that links to her outfit. This could connote that she doesn't need to wear appealing clothes or clothes that would be consumed by the mainstream for her to gain attention. Also, this could connote the idea that middle class people can also reach out to lower class people, which also shows how they can be approachable and promoting the idea that there could still be connections between different social class. 

Representations

Read this Business of Fashion interview with The Gentlewoman editor Penny Martin. If you don't want to sign up to the website (free) then you can access the text of the article on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login). Answer the following questions: 

1) What type of magazine did Penny Martin, Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom want to create? 

The magazine that they wanted to create was "to produce long-form journalism

and a personality-centred magazine that has equally eloquent imagery and

graphic design.”

2) What representations of modern women did they try to construct for the magazine?

The representations of modern women that they tried to construct for the magazine was to focus heavily on women and their lifestyle. They stated that they are "interested in what [The Gentlewoman] tells you about how modern women live, from the way they drink, dance, drive and speak to the way they sign their letters or conduct their divorces. We make sure that the magazine is not just a pornography of product that is supposedly interesting to women. It's about putting those women at the centre of the material world around them. That balance is important to us."

3) What examples of cover stars reflect the diversity in the magazine's content? 

The examples of cover stars that reflects the diversity in the magazine's content are "88-year-old actor Angela Lansbury, shot in a peach silk blouse and Terry Richardson's black frame glasses, to popstar Beyoncé, looking calm, strong and composed in Dior with a face free of make-up. Meanwhile, on the inside, The Gentlewoman has profiled a wide range of women at the top of their game, including gardeners, entrepreneurs, novelists, artists and news anchors."

4) What is Penny Martin's view on feminism and whether the magazine is feminist?

Penny Martin's view on feminism and whether the magazine is feminist is reinforced through the idea that the production team and the people who created it wanted to portray a feminist view and so the outcome being of the magazine would be focused on feminism. 

5) Look at the end of the article. How does the Gentlewoman help readers construct or reflect their identity by engaging with events and spaces beyond the magazine? 

The Gentlewoman help readers contruct or reflect their identity through forming a Gentlewoman club which extends the magazine's brand into physical events where readers can interact and chat with editors. They're also starting to develop their website as a kind of portal for real things to happen rather than a bogus virtual community with likes and message boards.