Week Four: Magazine Deconstruction

Media language:

The background is a firebomb from some type of explosion. The print is bright, bold, and big lettering. A celebrity is used to display the contents of the issue. Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for his muscles and action movies, so he is used to persuade men to read the magazine if they want to look like him. Arnold’s right arm is flexed in the picture, which shows his muscles and veins. This appeals to men who want to become ripped with muscles. Arnold is in a cut-off t-shirt which displays his muscles better. He also has a grimace, which suggests that no one should mess with him because he’s tough.

Institution:

Front cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine

Genre:

Fitness and Health Magazine

Representation:

This magazine represents white men, who are tough and strong.  It is geared towards any man who wants to be lean and strong.

Audience:

The audience for this magazine is geared towards men who want to get fit and muscular. It talks about ways to get lean fast and how to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. It suggests that men should be strong, muscular, and lean with massive muscles.

Ideologies and Values:

The value that this magazine can raise is that men must be strong and tough in order to be a “man”. With Arnold wearing sunglasses in the picture, it suggests that it’s cool to be big and buff.

Narrative:

In a way, this magazine cover can suggest that men have to be strong and fit in order to be a man. It also can suggest that only women like a man that is tough and muscular. This can be due to Arnold’s action movies, in which he is the hero that saves the girl, who ends up falling in love with him.

Media language:

The print isn’t obtrusive, but small and bold, which signifies the importance of the text without it overwhelming. It’s a patriotic theme with the colors of red, white, and blue due to Arnold’s upcoming election as governor. Arnold is posed in a position that showcases him as relatable and amiable.

Institution:

Front cover of Esquire magazine

Genre:

Politics, science, general news for men

Representation:

This magazine represents white men who are knowledgeable and smart. It is geared mostly toward voters.

Audience:

This issue of Esquire is geared towards everyone, with an emphasis towards men because of the smaller picture of the British woman advertisement and the issue title of “man at his best”. It’s mostly focused on attracting the voting population—both men and women, which is why the cover is decked out in red, white (in Arnold’s tie), and blue (the background).

Ideologies and Values:

This magazine displays Arnold pointing with his right hand at the audience. An expensive ring on his finger and a red tie portrays wealth and power. He is smiling which shows his softer side and makes you feel like he cares. His suit makes him seem professional and competent. His body language suggests that he is just like us. He slouches a little in his seat, which suggests that he’s comfortable and friendly with the audience—almost as if he is on a personal level with the reader.

Narrative:

The magazine suggests that Arnold Schwarzenegger is the right candidate for governor of California. He is presented as friendly, smart (in the way he dresses), and sophisticated. 

They both display Arnold Schwarzenegger, but in two different lights. The first one is a tough and macho Arnold, while the second one is a professional, amiable Arnold.  In the picture to the left, Arnold looks tough and unapproachable. He looks like a jock that works out at the gym all the time. However, in the picture on the right, Arnold looks friendly and intelligent with his smart dress. He seems as if he’s all about the people with the patriotic theme.