The Gentlewoman: Language and Representation

Close-textual analysis:

Gentlewoman front cover 

1) What do the typefaces used on the front cover suggest to an audience?

The masthead is in all lowercase and is in sans serif which gives it a modern look reflecting the values and attitudes of the magazine suggesting that it dose not want to stand out too much and fit in with contemporary standards.

2) How does the cover subvert conventional magazine cover design?

There are no cover lines and has a vibrant colour scheme that subverts typical women's lifestyle magazines. No fashion or costume in shot. Striking make up.

3) Write an analysis of the central image.

Make up could have possible sci-fi connotations, low angle shot and direct address, eye contact creates empowering representation, framed as a portrait has an artistic design and is a low angle close up of Scarlett Johansson, no fashion or costume in shot.

4) What representations of gender and celebrity can be found on this front cover?

Celebrity name is in serif font which is a contrast to the ultra modern make up but also to S.J who was the highest paid actress between 2018-2019. Could reinforce female stereotypes of make up use but subverts stereotypes of being submissive or weak through empowering direct address to audience through eye contact.

5) What gender and representation theories can we apply to this cover of the Gentlewoman? 

Mulvey's male gaze is subverted here as S.J's body is not shown at all and so is not actively being sexualised for male pleasure while Medhurst theory of stereotyping can be applied as a person being in a central image connotes fame and power, even authority.

Feature: Modern Punches

1) How does the feature on Ramla Ali use narrative to engage the audience? Apply narrative theories here.

Narrative is used to create a hook for readers to continue reading by providing diversion and personal identification with Ramlas story as some may relate to her situation. Furthermore the idea that Ramla is a role model to women by subverting the stereotypes that women don't do sports like boxing is reinforced by Propp's narrative theory as it displays Ramla as the hero.

2) What representations can you find in this feature - both interview and image?

Butlers theory that gender is socially constructed as in the Q+A Ramla references how she feels like a "Total Tomboy". Furthermore there is a representation of the working classes as being able to achieve.

3) What representation theories can we apply to the Modern Punches feature? 

Butler, Medhurst, Hooks


Feature: Isabella Tree interview

1) Why is this feature unconventional for a women's lifestyle and fashion magazine? Comment on the use media language in these pages. 

It is unconventional as the page dose not cover any fashion or lifestyle choices instead providing a pro environment stance and has very little text which is more on the environment and further emphasises nature over the individual.

2) How does the Isabella Tree feature reflect the social and cultural contexts of contemporary Britain? Think about AQA's discussion of lifestyle, environmental issues and ethical movements.

Socially people are much more concerned about their environment and how it will affect our future and culturally Britain has been a great contributor to harming the environment through developments such as the industrial revolution and so is a central part of daily lives.

3) What representations of nature can be found in this feature?

Nature is at the centre of this feature and it can be suggested that nature and the environment is being held in a higher regard than that of an individual.

Feature: Stella McCartney and vegan fashion

1) How does this feature reflect contemporary social and cultural contexts?

It reflects contemporary fashion and that social change in fashion is ethical but also shows how people value authenticity through its messy look.

2) Comment on the typography and page design in this feature.

It is very minimalistic using Sans serif as a very plain and simple font but dominates page 128 while on page 129 it is much more minimalistic and has absolutely no text whatsoever.

3) What representations can be found in the image accompanying this feature? 

Subverts upper class representations as the background is unconventional and just a plank of boarded up wood over a door with nothing that clearly stands out to the eye

Representations

Read this Business of Fashion interview with The Gentlewoman editor Penny Martin. If you don't want to sign up to the website (free) then you can access the text of the article on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login). Answer the following questions: 

1) What type of magazine did Penny Martin, Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom want to create? 

“At that time, we felt there was a dearth of intelligent perspectives on fashion and there wasn't really a fashion magazine for actual readers. I guess you could say that there are a few more magazines like us now. But when we started, many magazines had the visual right, or had the text right, but very few managed to reconcile the two. I think that’s very difficult — to produce long-form journalism and a personality-centred magazine that has equally eloquent imagery and graphic design.”

2) What representations of modern women did they try to construct for the magazine?

This practical and modern approach is reflected in The Gentlewoman's overall editorial point of view, which, according to Martin, begins with the woman and not the product. "I'm interested in what [The Gentlewoman] tells you about how modern women live, from the way they drink, dance, drive and speak to the way they sign their letters or conduct their divorces. We make sure that the magazine is not just a pornography of product that is supposedly interesting to women.

3) What examples of cover stars reflect the diversity in the magazine's content? 

Cover stars have ranged from 88-year-old actor Angela Lansbury, shot in a peach silk blouse and Terry Richardson's black frame glasses, to popstar Beyoncé, looking calm, strong and composed in Dior with a face free of make-up. Meanwhile, on the inside, The Gentlewoman has profiled a wide range of women at the top of their game, including gardeners, entrepreneurs, novelists, artists and news anchors.

4) What is Penny Martin's view on feminism and whether the magazine is feminist?

Martin is often asked about her publication's stance on feminism. "When people ask me about politics or feminism, I say that it isn't a magazine about those things, it's a magazine informed by those things — among others. Is it a feminist magazine? Well, it's made by feminist people, so what do you think?! But I don't want to make those values and principles fashionable, because I don't want to undermine them by turning them into an aesthetic and I don't want them to pass into the realm of the unfashionable.

5) Look at the end of the article. How does the Gentlewoman help readers construct or reflect their identity by engaging with events and spaces beyond the magazine? 

"Other things" includes the recently formed Gentlewoman Club which extends the magazine's brand into physical events where readers can interact and chat with editors. "We're starting to develop our website as a kind of portal for real things to happen rather than a bogus virtual community with likes and message boards. I am so not interested in that. I think that's over."