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 the assigned

critical lens. • On a piece of paper, write down your analysis• After you’ve written your interpretation, orally

share and discuss your analysis with a partner (Think-Pair-Share)

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

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

opinions/values!

Fem

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PETA Advertisement with Olympic Swimmer, Amanda Beard

Tom Ford Cologne Advertisement for MenFe

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Lens

Michael Kors Women’s PerfumeFem

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“When you’re strong, you sparkle.”

Secret Deodorant for WomenFem

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Fem

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Mount Rushmore

Watch Ad Saks Fifth Avenue AdM

arxi

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Ralph Lauren AdvertisementMar

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Compare and Contrast

Michael Kors Ad Extra Gum AdMar

xist

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Dassault Falcon Jet AdvertisementMar

xist

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

John Antencio Jewelry AdvertisementMar

xist

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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!