The Gentlewoman: Language and representation

 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?

lowercase sans serif - modern, distinct and alternative.

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

It resembles a book - no cover lines

3) Write an analysis of the central image.

low angle + direct address - superior, authority.

close-up - unconventional for magazines

bold makeup - empowered, dominant, confident.

blemishes - not fine tuned - authenticity

celeb driven

pop art influence

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

Gender - subverts stereotypes of a submissive, docile woman.

Celebrity - reinforces their power, but also celebrates their womanhood which is rare to see.

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

Butler (agree), Mulvey (disagree)

Feature: Modern Punches

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

It celebrates her achievements, suggesting this level of success is possible.

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

Race: black - inclusivity

Gender: representing a male dominated career

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

Butler.


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. 

There is no actual person as the subject.

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.

Climate change and ethical/environmental movements.

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

Peaceful and nurturing - it should be taken care of and respected

Feature: Stella McCartney and vegan fashion

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

Confronts ethical fashion - animals not be the source of fashion

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

A bit crazy, and mismatched - highlights the topic and person. Slightly unconventional.

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

Gender: strong empowered, working woman. Not a very fancy background - it can represent any woman.

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? 

Personality centred...with equally eloquent imagery and graphic design

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

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

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

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?