Men's Health - Language&Representation

 

 Language & Representation

Language

1) Write an analysis of the media language choices on the cover of Men's Health

In the case of men's health, the three major colours were black, white, and blue. The cover's typography is fascinating, as it mostly employs forceful action verbs. Vin Diesel has a powerful build and makes direct eye contact with the camera, portraying himself as an idea man to inspire readers.

2) 
Front cover: They are written in full capitals and in sans serif font, reflecting the notion of males as powerful and strong. It also makes use of manly colours.

Editor's Letter and contents page: Most magazines provide an editor's note to the reader that summarises what this issue is about and the overall purpose of the majority of the information shown.

Feature - True Grit - 'The Marathon Man': It sells the audience a way of life, a physical and mental consequence to which many people aspire. Many middle-aged men are afraid of getting overweight and sluggish as a result of their professions and life at the time, but Howells is someone to look up to and idolise. The picture is a standard magazine feature, providing the interviewee a face to allow them to relate to readers and attract new audiences because the major picture figure is significantly older than seen in most articles.

3) Apply narrative theories to Men's Health - Todorov's equilibrium, Propp's character types, Barthes' action or enigma codes.The equilibrium may be young males maturing. The disequilibrium being middle-aged men getting unfit and out of shape, and the new equilibrium being them working out and leading a better lifestyle.

4) Read the cover lines and the Editor's Letter. Does Men's Health offer a cure for male insecurities or does it create male insecurity? Men's health  creates male insecurities and there is exponential amounts of pressure to be exceedingly  muscly or they would not match the norm of being manly.

5) How does the 'Marathon Man' feature page offer an example of Steve Neale's genre theory concerning 'repetition and difference'? It demonstrates the concept of repetition and difference since he speaks about altering your lifestyle.



Representations: applying theory

1) How can Gauntlett's ideas on masculinity, gender and identity be applied to the Men's Health CSP we have analysed?

Gauntlett believes there are generational distinctions, which can be seen in the current route this magazine has gone, being able to tackle men's mental health, which would not have been permitted by past generations putting out these publications.

2) How could van Zoonen's work on feminist and gender theory be applied to Men's Health?

She claims that the media perpetuates sex role stereotypes, hence aiding in the construction of gender roles. The magazine appeals to males because they feel they must be strong and they think reading the magazine would help them accomplish this goal.

3) How could bell hooks's work on 'corrosive masculinity' apply to Men's Health?
Toxic masculinity has become the standard these days, with being as muscular as Vin Diesel being the norm, which may be troublesome for young guys through puberty and dealing with mental health issues.

Representations: academic analysis

1) Why is Men's Health defined as a 'lifestyle magazine'?

Men's Health is a lifestyle magazine, and they make it a point to remind their readers that the magazine isn't just about health, but also about other issues that affect men.

2) Why is advertising significant in helping to shape masculine identity?

Advertising has grown considerably more inclusive of many sorts of men, allowing all men to see themselves portrayed and develop new meanings.

3) The article suggests that the representation of masculinity in Men's Health is not fixed or natural and is subject to constant change. What media theorists that we have studied previously can be linked to these ideas?

Gauntlett is a theorist that we can link to this.

4) What does the article suggest Men's Health encourages its readers to be?

It pushes readers to be successful by promoting items that only the wealthy can purchase.

5) What representations of the male body can be found in Men's Health?

The male physique is shown as something to be continually worked on and developed, seeking to promote a fit and muscular appearance of a guy while instilling fears in readers who do not see themselves reflected in such magazines.

6) What does the article suggest regarding the objectification of men?

The sexual objectification of males has risen in the media, notably in terms of cinema, drama, and soap-opera sex appeal, where the significance of Hollywood is most visible, as well as in the current phenomena of male strippers and pornography for women.

7) What is 'metrosexuality' and how can it be applied to Men's Health?

It is the concept of an urban male who likes shopping, fashion, and other activities that are often associated with women or homosexual men.

8) What representation of men in Men's Health is discussed in the section 'Homogenous bodies'?

The magazine appears to be part of the mainstream discourse, which depicts the prevailing physical images of masculinity.

9) What are the conclusions drawn by the article with regards to the representation of masculinity in Men's Health?

Men's health inevitably provides numerous portrayals of masculinity, some of which promote conventional masculine stereotypes while others defy them.

10) What is your own view of the representation of masculinity in Men's Health? 

Men's health magazine encourages male stereotypes in every manner, since readers are supposed to be affluent and wealthy, as well as masculine.