Magazines: The Gentlewoman - Language and Representations

 

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 

 How does the cover subvert conventional magazine cover design?

The layout has a central image with minimal typography and only the name. It has a book- like cover which is unconventional.

 Write an analysis of the central image.

Scarlett Johansson's bold eye makeup and vivid red lipstick subvert traditional beauty standards typically promoted in glossy magazines. Instead of a soft or smiling expression, her intense gaze and serious facial expression convey a sense of confidence and authority, challenging the notion that women should always appear gentle or cheerful.

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

The celebrity is presented in a much different way compared to normal, due to the bold makeup look and the serif font of her name in bold refelects modernity while presenting her as bold.

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

Judith Butler's thoery could be applied here- gender is a performance. For example, her makeup reflects a tradtional look however her serious look doesnt define her identity its just a performance.

Feature: Modern Punches

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

Ramla's presence reflects empowerment, and Propps' theory could be used for her, as she is portrayed as a "hero" by entering the field of boxing, traditionally a sport played by men.

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

She appears to be successful as she is breaking the streotype of boxing being a sport only for men and her sole appearance in the picture also reflect modern style

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

 
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. 

The magazine doestn show a picture of Isabella Tree but rather shows an image of a tree with her name. This abstract style is unconventional as there is no image the celebrity herself.

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.

It reflects concerns about the environment and the fact that this is being featured in this magazine show that readers of this magazine are value the environment and ethics.

3) What representations of nature can be found in this feature?
Nature seems to be nurturing and presents the overall idea of environmentalism 

Feature: Stella McCartney and vegan fashion

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

The article reveals changes in the fashion industry where there is cruelty-free fashion ie vegan handbags and fake leather which is appealing to consumers who care about the environment.

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

There is a simple layout with a bold title that is the most noticeable and the page overall seems to be elegant with simplicity.

3) What representations can be found in the image accompanying this feature? g

The feature seems to be quite upper-class as the model is presented as stylish. 

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? 

They wanted to provide seriousness regarding women while presenting it elegantly, offering "substance over style"

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

The idea was to present women as confident and outgoing and are able to break traditional sterotypes of women

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

The range of featured women varies, from 88-year-old actress Angela Lansbury to pop icon Beyoncé and each cover is unique in its on ways

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

Martin chooses not to label The Gentlewoman as a ‘feminist magazine’, though she recognises that it’s created by people who hold feminist beliefs and is shaped by feminist principles.

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 club allows readers to connect with one another beyond just print, creating a sense of togetherness and community.