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!