GQ: Language and Representation
1) What are the different magazine genres highlighted on page 2 and how do they link to our magazine CSPs?
General Interest. Special Interest. Professional.
GQ magazine is professional and it is also special interest as not everyone has interests towards it.
2) Look at the section on GQ on page 2. How do they suggest that GQ targets its audience?
They target men through fashion and image , but also appeal to their intelligence and information regarding culture.
3) What does the factsheet say about GQ cover stars?
That they select their cover stars carefully.
4) Pick out five of the key conventions of magazine front covers and explain what they communicate to an audience.
Masthead- It introduces the magazine and sections.
Main cover-line- Catches the eye of the reader.
Numbers- Keeps the reader up to date.
Central image- Creates an idea of what the magazine is for and attracts readers.
Pull quotes- Shows opinions and facts.
5) What is a magazine’s ‘house style’? How would you describe GQ’s house style?
The usage and editing that is specific to fit the magazines style. Great imagery at a large size with beneficial information.
1) Write a summary of our annotations on the media language choices on the cover of GQ - e.g. colour scheme, typography, language, photographic codes etc.
Blue/black background seen as traditionally masculine
.Art and fashion is an example of GQ new masculinity
.Cover lines keeping with traditional GQ.
.Artistic and inky typography creates the them of hand written.
.Propp's character theory of villain.
.Image is a medium close up with high key lighting and makeup that makes him look beat up.
.Facial expression shows aggression while the costume shows muscles and strength.
2) Identify three specific aspects/conventions/important points (e.g. cover lines, colour scheme, use of text, image etc.) from each page/feature of the CSP that you could refer to in a future exam. Explain why that particular aspect of the CSP is important - think about connotations, representations, audience pleasures, reception theory etc.
Front cover: Robert Pattinson image - Art & Fashion issue
. Traditional masculinity expressed through colour scheme which is black and blue , this is important as black has themes of darkness and blue is seen as either sadness or peace however the phrase black and blue is an idiom for having been beaten up.
. This idiom links to the central image and the makeup which demonstrates Pattison as having bruises and cuts which signifies that he has beaten up which creates the ideas of men being rough and violent.
Inside pages: Jonathan Bailey feature and fashion shoot
. Traditional masculinity is reinforced through some of the clothing. However patterned clothing reinforces idea of new masculinity.
3) Apply narrative theories to GQ - Todorov's equilibrium, Propp's character types, Barthes' action or enigma codes, Levi-Strauss's binary opposition. How can we use narrative to understand the way the cover and features have been constructed?
The image could potentially come across as conveying Robert Pattison as a villain which links to Propp's character types.
4) Analyse the cover and inside pages of GQ. Does this offer an example of Steve Neale's genre theory concerning 'repetition and difference'?
4) Analyse the cover and inside pages of GQ. Does this offer an example of Steve Neale's genre theory concerning 'repetition and difference'?
Homosexuality representation is seen which refers to differences linking to Neale's theory.
Representations: applying theory
1) How can Gauntlett's ideas on masculinity, gender and identity be applied to the GQ CSP pages we have analysed?
Gauntlett believes that masculinity is in crisis which is referenced through the mass changes of the male gender in GQ.
2) How could van Zoonen's work on feminist and gender theory be applied to GQ? Does the magazine challenge or reinforce these ideas?
Gauntlett believes that masculinity is in crisis which is referenced through the mass changes of the male gender in GQ.
2) How could van Zoonen's work on feminist and gender theory be applied to GQ? Does the magazine challenge or reinforce these ideas?
Van Zoomen claims females and males are sexualised in the media. In reference to male sexualisation it is usually strength and courage which is opposed by the shy representation of softer men.
3) Does bell hooks's work on 'corrosive masculinity' apply to GQ?
3) Does bell hooks's work on 'corrosive masculinity' apply to GQ?
No as toxic masculinity representations aren't really seen.
4) How does the Jonathan Bailey feature represent masculinity and sexuality?
By subverting the concepts of masculinity and sexuality, Jonathan Bailey promotes the idea that it is OK to act rough and strong but also gentle and kind, which are characteristics we typically associate with women rather than being a strong, emotionless male.
1) Which GQ issue is discussed at the start of the article and what was notable about it?
The thoughts that question if GQ is still a males magazine.
2) How did Will Welch view GQ when he took over as Editor-in-Chief and what did he want to offer readers?
That it is not for men and he wanted to offer true masculinity.
3) How has publisher Conde Nast responded to changes in the magazine industry and how did this impact GQ?
Magazine monolith and GQ parent company Condé Nast, now under the leadership of former Pandora chief Roger Lynch, has been trying to recoup losses by cutting costs and redefining its business for the digital era.
4) What did the GQ New Masculinity edition feature?
Journalist Nora Caplan-Bricker leads a package titled “Voices of the New Masculinity” in which actor Asia Kate Dillon, NBA player Kevin Love, rapper Killer Mike and others share their perspectives of what masculinity means today. As the voices featured in the magazine show, there’s no one definition of masculinity. While Welch hoped the latest issue of GQ makes a statement on the matter, he said the conversation for him and for GQ’s audience is far from over.
5) What did journalist Liz Plank say about toxic masculinity?
“No matter where I turned, masculinity wasn’t something that was intuitive or intrinsic; it was carefully learned, delicately transmitted and deliberately propagandized. Toxic masculinity wasn’t just a problem in America. I saw it everywhere.”
6) How did Welch respond to suggestions GQ was responsible for toxic masculinity
It’s not like GQ was harmful until I took over. That’s definitely not the case .
1) What does the article suggest masculinity involved at the start of the 20th century?
Masculinity was more degenerate as it was much more common for men to be smokers and alcoholics however the centralised depiction of masculinity was strength , independence and courage.
2) What social change occurred from the 1930s?
Office jobs became increasingly popularised which allowed for the decrease in typical masculine jobs such as manual labour.
3) What is suggested about masculinity today?
That masculinity has widely changed and many say is in danger as there is no real definition of what masculinity truly is anymore.
4) Why does it suggest these changes are important?
So that men's mental health is taken more seriously and so they can be understood more efficiently.
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