let’s analyze popular culture and media using critical lenses

Let’s Analyze Popular Culture and Media using Critical Lenses

The Importance of Viewing our World through Critical Lenses

“The main reason for studying theory at the same time as

literature is that it forces you to deal consciously with the

problem of ideologies...There are many truths and the one you

will find depends partly on the ideology you start with. [Studying

theory] means you can take your own part in the struggles for

power between different ideologies. It helps you to discover

elements of your own ideology, and understand why you hold

certain values unconsciously. It means no authority can

impose a truth on you in a dogmatic way--and if some

authority does try, you can challenge that truth in a

powerful way, by asking what ideology it is based on...

Theory is subversive because it puts authority in

question.” - Bonnycastle, In Search of Authority, p. 34

Instructions

• Interpret each media image using a traditional perspective and the assigned critical lens.

• On a piece of paper, write down the traditional analysis and your assigned lens’ analysis

• After you’ve written your interpretation, orally share and discuss both interpretations with your partner. Compare/Contrast (Think-Pair-Share)

• Once we’ve viewed each media source, we will discuss and analyze each image as a class.

REMEMBER: This is NOT subjective! Do not interpret each source using your own

opinions/values!You do not have to agree with the interpretation!

Fem

inis

t L

en

s

PETA Advertisement with Olympic Swimmer, Amanda Beard

Miss America PageantFem

inis

t L

en

s

Fem

inis

t L

en

s

Mount Rushmore

Tom Ford Cologne Advertisement for MenFem

inis

t L

en

s

Michael Kors Women’s PerfumeFem

inis

t L

en

s

“When you’re strong, you sparkle.”

Secret Deodorant for WomenFem

inis

t L

en

s

Compare and Contrast

Michael Kors Ad Extra Gum AdMarx

ist

Len

s

Watch Ad Saks Fifth Avenue AdM

arx

ist

Len

s

Ralph Lauren AdvertisementMarx

ist

Len

s

Dassault Falcon Jet AdvertisementMarx

ist

Len

s

“The meek shall inherit the earth, but they’ll never own the room.”

John Antencio Jewelry AdvertisementMarx

ist

Len

s

Now, that we’re familiar with interpreting media

images using the feminist lens and Marxist lens,

let’s analyze Shakespeare’s Macbeth in our assigned jigsaw

groups!