GQ - Language and Representation

 

1) What are the different magazine genres highlighted on page 2 and how do they link to our magazine CSPs?

Special Interest - People may like Robert Patterson so will buy the magazine for him

               

                          - People may like Bridgeton so will buy the magazine for Jonathan Bailey 

2) Look at the section on GQ on page 2. How do they suggest that GQ targets its audience?

They are targeting men through fashion and image, but also appealing to their intelligence and needs for information about culture.

3) What does the factsheet say about GQ cover stars?

GQ selects their cover stars very carefully. In the December 2022 edition, they chose Marcus Rashford, a Manchester United footballer.

4) Pick out five of the key conventions of magazine front covers and explain what they communicate to an audience.

Pubslisher / masthead - whether its for a middle or low class , high brow or low brow 

Cover lines - description of whats included in the magazine 

central image -  focal point of mag is the person famous what are they promoting or showcasing

5) What is a magazine’s ‘house style’? How would you describe GQ’s house style? 

The house style of a magazine refers to its conventional “look” in relation to its writing and formatting. The house  style establishes brand identity and helps to distinguish one magazine from the other.

6) 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. 

colour scheme - black and blue matches the bruises and cuts contrasts to the blond hair hes got 

enigma code - why does he have them cuts 

binary opisition to our traditional view of R.P 

art and fashion in in the same font as "who is Robert Pattinson"

7) 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 

colour scheme - black and blue matches the bruises and cuts contrasts to the blond hair hes got 

enigma code - why does he have them cuts 

binary opisition to our traditional view of R.P - Shock to twilight fans 

Inside cover

pose - challenging traditional masculine stereotypes = J.B is homosexual

Clothes and prices aren't the main point of the magazine , the fact that's its a photoshoot is 

Will Welch - new idea of self expression and new masculinity 

 

8) 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?

Enigma code - why is R.P being presented in a way that is unusual to the viewer  , how did he get them cuts 

Binary opposition - R.P looks beaten and unkept whilst J.B is being dressed in expensive suits and other luxury branded clothes

 

Propp - R.P looks like a villain with his appearance 

9) Analyse the cover and inside pages of GQ. Does this offer an example of Steve Neale's genre theory concerning 'repetition and difference'?

repetiton of typical conventions of the mens lifestyle and fashion - expensive clothes , Photoshoot

Difference - masculinity is presented in a different way with the open collar and buttons being undone and with the turtle neck with holes in them 

10) How can Gauntlett's ideas on masculinity, gender and identity be applied to the GQ CSP pages we have analysed?
modern masculinity is more diverse and going away from traditional views , as R.P is presented as being beaten up and maybe weak and J.B is presented as more feminine 

11) How could van Zoonen's work on feminist and gender theory be applied to GQ? Does the magazine challenge or reinforce these ideas?
Gender is constructed through the media - as a certain type of masculinity is being presented through J.B that isnt traditional however R.B masculinity is more stereotypical 



12) Does bell hooks's work on 'corrosive masculinity' apply to GQ? 

R.P is presented as potentially dominant and aggressive with his chain grills and cuts symbolizing violence

13) How does the Jonathan Bailey feature represent masculinity and sexuality? 

in a less traditional way with the clothes hes wearing - turtle neck with holes in 

his strory and sexuality also subverts masculine sterotypes as he is homosexual and attemded dance classes as a kid 

14) Which GQ issue is discussed at the start of the article and what was notable about it? 

issue of masculinity The imagery, the colors, the psychedelic typeface and the gender-fluid Williams made me wonder, “Is GQ still a men’s magazine?”

15) How did Will Welch view GQ when he took over as Editor-in-Chief and what did he want to offer readers? 

He wanted GQ to help its readers — whether men, women, or gender non-binary — with their “personal evolution,” he told CNN Business. Men can wear dresses, put on makeup, and get pedicures. GQ shouldn’t tell anyone exactly how to be a man because there’s no one way to do it.

16) What did journalist Liz Plank say about toxic masculinity?

Liz Plank released “For the Love of Men,” a book that explores the pervasiveness of it. She writes, “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.”

17) 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,” he said The magazine’s latest issue was not its first foray into topics that defy gender stereotypes