According to the Critical/Cultural Theory, the media industry almost always exploits the masses. This industry produces formulized media content that appeals to mass audiences with the intent of displaying their own values and social/political status quo. While some may argue that the media is simply “displaying” content, it still undoubtedly has an effect on our lives whether it be directly or subconsciously. Often times, this is shown in a form of presenting stereotypes in genders, politics, races, age, sexual orientation, etc. In terms of how dominant ideology comes into play with the Critical/Cultural Theory, many of these stereotypes are denoted as a display of dominant ideology. Firstly, dominant ideology is defined as, “beliefs …show more content…
Marvel has created several movies that have dominated the box office such as The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: The Dark World, Iron Man, Captain America and many more. Marvel films are frequently occupied by a male dominated cast. The main lead actors are male dominated and the women in these movies usually have less screen time. Specifically dissecting the Marvel film The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), there is no doubt that the female led displays signs of dominant ideology. Firstly, the main protagonist, Peter Parker (played by Andrew Garfield) is Spider-Man. Spider-Man is portrayed as a strong, intelligent and heroic figure. After discovering his new superhero powers, Peter Parker is out on a mission to solve the mystery behind his parent’s death. Nevertheless, the film also has a subplot: a budding romance between Peter Parker and high school sweetheart, Gwen Stacy (played by Emma Stone). Compared to male led, Gwen Stacy is portrayed as an obedient, pretty, and “resident "beauty queen".” (Marvel, N.D) In The Amazing Spider-Man, Gwen Stacy’s main purpose as a character is to be “saved” by Spider-Man and displayed purely as a romantic interest. During one particular iconic scene, Gwen Stacy is seen being quite literally carried out of danger in the arms of Spider-Man. Gwen Stacy’s character is displaying a stereotype. It enforces the notion that women have to have a “hero” and cannot save
In Charlotte E. Howell’s, “Tricky” Connotations: Wonder Woman as DC’s Brand Disruptor,” Howell argues the many points on how DC Comics failed to represent Wonder Woman in a superhero leading role for many years. The author discusses how DC failed to see that the comic book industry fan base consisted not only of males, but also, many female fans as well (141-142). In addition, she points out DC’s use of the word “tricky” in regards to marketing and film production for Wonder Woman; DC Comics couldn’t come up with a way to envision an on screen leading role for Wonder Woman or how to market one (142). As a result, Howell gives examples of how the fans weaponized the term “tricky” to show DC’s business failings (141-143). Furthermore, she points out how the many scripts were leaked and how the public scrutinized the writers on their attempts to represent an accurate Wonder Woman character (144-145).
One of the most common stereotypes that is most heard is that a woman can not kill her own spiders. In Dave Barry’s article “ From Here on, Let Women Kill Their Own Spiders” he talks about some of the main stereotypes that concern both men and women. Dave Barry is a novelist with over 30 published books and articles. He is a professional Humorist and believes that humor is a great deal easier than a real job. His main purpose of his essay seems to be to convince men not to kill womens spiders, and that women should give men a break.
Class Stereotypes Stereotypes are seen as overgeneralized ideas, images, or beliefs of a person based on a group of people. Stereotypes can either be taken or said in a negative or positive way but mostly seen in a negative way. Stereotypes are formed on a life experience, idea or a belief a person may have towards one person based on the person’s gender, race, religion or social class. The most common stereotypes are of the social classes which are the: upper, middle and lower class.
Spider-Man was created in the 1960s and was created to help nerdy teenage boys feel good about themselves. “Spider-Man was a regular teenage boy until one day he got bit by a radioactive arachnid he did not die of radiation sickness but he acquires the strength and agility of a spider as well as an uncanny spider sense” (Knowles 139). Spider-Man has a lot in common with Gene from A Separate Peace by John Knowles. Gene is a nerdy teenage boy like Spider-Man’s alter ego Peter Parker. Spider-Man can be compared or contrasted to many other heroes such as king, Arthur, Sir Gawain and Beowulf.
Media is very powerful because it can change human perspectives. Because people mainly rely on news and other media, it’s very important to learn their message. Media can use a manipulative message to persuade the audience and publish false stereotypes. Stereotypes like poverty, illiteracy, and violence, regard African American can have a negative impact on black people that usually we feel less worthy than others. African people are commonly portrayed by media as poor or from lower class family.
The main objectives in chapter 9 include the ways media attempt to influence people’s attitudes, beliefs, and/or behavior, ways media technology can be disruptive and have adverse effects on behavior, the positive and negative influences of certain kinds of media, such as advertisements or reality television programs, on self-image. Even though media is a great outlet, media has changed our generation causing effects on self-image and human interactions. Because of its pervasiveness in American culture, the media affects people in both obvious and subtle ways. Modern media comes in many different formats, including newspapers, magazines, television, social media, etc.
This was formed from years of social views and gender representations in film. Women were often thought of as people who had small roles to play in life and a desire to there working class of men. The males were given heroic and superior roles, usually seen saving the day or doing what it took to support a family as seen in The Searchers where the men had to protect the family in search for their loved ones after the Indians raided the family’s home. In the movie cowboys vs aliens we also had a similar situation where the males had to leave home in search for their enemy. Males are still seen in this way in featured films and females still desired over men with their feminine aspects.
Most female superheroes are the counterpart of a male version, i.e. Superman/Supergirl, Batman/Batgirl, Captain America/Miss America, etc. implying that woman cannot exist without man. According to Lavin, “the uneasy contradiction between strength and dependence (and in extreme cases, between strength and subservience) has characterized much of the history of female comic characters” (Lavin 94). When women were first introduced and included in the superhero teams, the heroin has softer powers in contract to the superhero who has stronger powers.
Mass media can have an effect on a person perception. It can change the way a person thinks or acts toward other people. Watching a particular movie or a television show can allow people to create assumptions about a certain group of people. Stereotypes are shown through the media in race, gender and social classes (Croteau 192). The people from the Middle East are one particular example of a race that is that is depicted in a negative light.
Introduction In our current society, the media is a very powerful medium which cultivates the way the society thinks and behaves. At this stage of the political economy, the intellectual mode of production is largely made through the media industry. Aspects such as Hollywood, television and movies, they frame and direct our thinkings and values towards the direction as they desire.
In Batman Begins, Rachel constitutes the archetypical character of the innocent woman as Wayne’s central love interest. Before Rachel is forced to kill somebody in order to protect herself during the showdown, Batman rescues her, thus preserving her innocence. Furthermore, Rachel appears passive in her portrayal in Batman Begins and becomes the damsel in distress archetype when being captured by the Scarecrow. Despite the fact that Rachel is played by Maggie Gyllenhaal instead of Katie Holmes in The Dark Knight and although she is portrayed as a more capable woman, Rachel frequently ends up as the damsel in distress in the second Nolan movie as well. The regressive portrayal of women, however, is not confined to the female protagonists of the trilogy.
American culture also advocates individual struggle, its best interpretation is the pursuit of personal interests and personal freedom for the purpose of the "American dream. " American society's emphasis on individual heroism is to affirm human freedom, to promote individual values, to encourage individuals to rely on their own ability to benefit the community and benefit mankind. So comic movies in the super hero are often a lonely hero, alone face a powerful enemy, alone to save the world. In the film , the deformation of the female are an extreme individualist, she hats hate to bring her great pains of science doctor, fight everything want revenge.
Media are platforms of mass communication that can be categorized as either new of traditional media, with new media being forms of communication that make use of technologies such as the Internet, and traditional media being more conventional forms of media such as newspapers. Media, primarily new media, is getting more popular and influential, especially in today’s day and age since we are exposed to it a lot more than in the past and also since media is more easily accessible now. The media can shape our behaviours, perceptions and opinions, and it is important to know how people are influenced and impacted by it. The media can influence someone’s perception of social reality, or perceptions of beauty or even influence people’s behaviours and habits and therefore, the media does shape who we are. One way that the media can shape who we are is by influencing our perception of social reality.
The representation of gender in mass communications has been a hugely debated topic for years and will continue to be one for many more years to come. The media plays a big role in how they want to portray a gender to the public. They create certain stereotypes through the role of a gender in order to attract a large audience and interest to sell a product, brand or image. Media is so important in today’s society, people spend hours and hours each day watching TV, browsing the Internet and reading magazines. There are so many images of men and women in the media today that it certainly has an impact on the viewer’s thoughts and sense of identity.
The media promotes conformity in the way youth culture is portrayed. The fact that media like films and TV shows characterize youth as conformity, it reinforces values and ideological hegemony to the audience, thus constructing their knowledge and view of youths. In