GQ - Language & Representation

Language: Media factsheet

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

There is: General interest, special interest and professional. GQ magazine falls under general interest. 

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

They target 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 suggests that they choose their cover stars very carefully.

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

•The Masthead, the publication name, is at the top, using a sans serif font type for maximum impact.

Price, month and year are conventionally added, as is a barcode.

• The main coverline is not related to the image but offers different content of interest, with varying size, colours and styles of typography.

• Pull quotes such as “I was dancing so hard my dress fell off!” invoke humour and perhaps shock, but also appear to give insider knowledge. This creates a close, albeit illusory, relationship between the reader and the star.

• The use of sensationalism and language of true crime and or gossip magazines are intertextualised to create and emotional response.

• There are eight coverlines with substantial information in them to cater for different audiences. The use of synthetic personalisation (the use of “your”) reinforces the friendliness of the brand towards the audience.

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. It establishes brand identity and helps to distinguish one magazine from the other. GQs logo in the top left gives it the 'conventional look'.

Language: CSP analysis

1) 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.

-The typography seems very unusual, it is very arty and inky which fits with the cover image.

-The background is a blue/black colour scheme which could be seen as traditionally masculine.

-Propp's character theory, villain

-Medium close up with high key lighting and makeup that makes him look like he got beaten up.

-Facial expression shows aggression while costume shows his muscles which could indicate his strength. 

2) 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: Robert Pattinson image - Art & Fashion issue

The background colour scheme is a faded blue to black background that could reinforce traditional colours when it comes to males. GQ wanted to come out with their 'new masculinity issue' by addressing modern readers. Although they want to move with time, instead we can see they are still stuck with implementing a 'male' colour scheme.

Inside pages: Jonathan Bailey feature and fashion shoot

On these pages, we can see how most of the images reinforce traditional masculinity such as his clothing and stances. Some things like his patterned trousers may suggest an evolution of masculinity which can support Gauntletts idea of masculinity and crisis. Some of the backgrounds such as the flowers can support this.

3) 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?

We can talk about Propp's character types and how Robert Pattinson could be the villain in this cover as he definitely is not the hero. His facial expression, roughed up hair and scars could suggest that he is the villain in this story. We can also apply Todorov's equilibrium by saying that this image could be the disequilibrium compared to his old representations that he had after twilight. 

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

The inside pages of the pages of the GQ magazine support Neal's theory on repetition and difference as the men in the photos are presented as having an interest in fashion and showing it off which is different from the idea that fashion is just a statement or a status of wealth while the anecdote only further supports this as magazines, and would say especially men's magazines, do not usually delve into homosexuality and feeling comfortable with it.

Representations: applying theory

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

On page 32, we can see Jonathan Bailey who seems to be showing normal elements of traditional masculinity in his mode of address however, the checkered trousers he is wearing could suggest some sort of 'evolution' of masculinity which we can link to Gauntlett. 

2) How could van Zoonen's work on feminist and gender theory be applied to GQ? Does the magazine challenge or reinforce these ideas?

Her theory supports the idea that gender is constructed over a period of time and becomes naturalised. The magazine reinforces this idea through representing men as far more different through their style but also the fact that homosexuality is no longer as taboo as it used to be. However the magazine can challenge this as the men are sill portrayed as dominant and centre roles in the magazine which is stereo typically male.

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

bell hooks wrote, “​​The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves."

I think that her ideas do not apply to GQ as I believe the magazine is clearly trying to break the stereotypes of overly aggressive men and is instead promoting a more progressive and transformed idea of what it means to be a man.

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

Bailey opens bout his sexuality and and is 'one of the few gay British actors working onscreen ho isn't wholly defined by his sexuality' He also represents 'The new masculinity' with his body language and fashion in the magazine and does not use the representations of traditional masculinity of having  'strength' and 'power.'

Representations: wider reading - GQ and the new masculinity

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

The issue discussed is the 'New Masculinity Issue'. The imagery, the colors, the psychedelic typeface and the gender-fluid Williams made audiences wonder, “Is GQ still a men’s magazine?” It looks like an upside down lily flower waiting to bloom. His hands are clasped at his chest, his facial expression is soft.

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

He said that GQ is not just written for or by men. GQ’s readers are anyone who has “an interest in seeing the world through a filter of stylishness,”  In his leadership role, he’s grappling not just with the changing landscape of the media industry but with new perspectives on men and masculinity.

3) How has publisher Conde Nast responded to changes in the magazine industry and how did this impact GQ?

Condé Nast has been trying to recoup losses by cutting costs and redefining its business for the digital era. Condé ended Glamour’s print publication last year. It’s continued to invest in digital content, like video, across its brands. In addition to GQ’s two print magazines in the US and several international editions, the brand launched GQ Sports, a YouTube channel.

4) What did the GQ New Masculinity edition feature?

Journalist Nora Caplan-Bricker leads a package titled “Voices of the New Masculinity” in which actor Asia Kate Dillon, NBA player Kevin Love, rapper Killer Mike and others share their perspectives of what masculinity means today. As the voices featured in the magazine show, there’s no one definition of masculinity. While Welch hoped the latest issue of GQ makes a statement on the matter, he said the conversation for him and for GQ’s audience is far from over.

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

She said, “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.”

6) How did Welch respond to suggestions GQ was responsible for toxic masculinity?

He stated that: “It’s not like GQ was harmful until I took over. That’s definitely not the case,”

1) What does the article suggest masculinity involved at the start of the 20th century?

At the start of the 20th century, the idea of masculinity was simple - 'it stood for all the solid, earthy expectations of boys and men: strength, independence, courage, confidence and assertiveness.'

2) What social change occurred from the 1930s?

From the 1930s, the UK lost its industrialisation heavyweight status with manual worker jobs, and the masculinity status attached to them, in favour of an office-based deindustrialised economy.

3) What is suggested about masculinity today?

Today, we share a society where not only men, but women too, demonstrate these and importantly have the freedom to do so. Of course, it isn’t all a bed of roses, and while we still have some way to redress an imbalance of what is deemed acceptable traits for men and women. Masculinity is an outdated word for this, a new world that is attempting to dispel gender equality.

4) Why does it suggest these changes are important?

Changes are important especially in men’s relationship with their mental health. Suicide remains the leading cause of death in men under the age of 45 years.