Word count minimum 750
Q) The magazine issue of "Bob we trust" has a much different representation of the homeless , in comparison to the mainstream right wing depiction.
In Right Wing newspapers, the homeless are depicted as being dishonest, untrustworthy, and drug-abusing. Right Wing Papers such as the Daily Mail, and the Telegraph often tell stories about homeless people doing horrible things, while using degrading vocabulary to describe them. They generally think that the homeless people should be avoided, as they are scum. They also believe that they are homeless because of their own actions and wrong doings, and therefore do not deserve any respect, pity or sympathy. This links to Shildrick and Mcdonald theory, which states that "the poor are undeserving of sympathy.
On the other hand, The Big Issue Magazine depicts the homeless in a positive light. This is made apparent by the use of Bob the Cat, which represents hope, as this links to the story of James, who came out of poverty, through the help of this cat. This is use of Barthes Semantic Code. This is also made apparent by the organisation of the magazine cover.
On the front cover of the Big Issue magazine, the words "IN BOB WE TRUST" are emblazoned on the front of the magazine. this links to the American Dollar Bill, which has "In God we trust" written on it. A yellow font is used to symbolise hope, joy and happiness. As we know Yellow is a saturated colours, and therefore contrasts with the muted colours in the background, which symbolises having to sleep outside as a homeless person. This shows how Bob is hope for homeless people. A Midshot is used in order to make Bob look more divine, this links to the religious connotations, of "In God we trust." Bob is the focus of the cover, as he is the only figure on the page, this is also made more apparent by the fact that the word "Bob" is written in bold on the front. The background uses muted colours in the background, in comparison to the saturated colours at the front, this is also done to make Bob the focus. The background is not in focus, which also makes this point more apparent. The actual scene takes place on a cold, winter night, to show the struggle that homeless people have at night .Bob is a Totem, as he is associated with God therefore inferring a supernatural power, which gives the homeless people faith.
The fact that The Big Issue's main purpose is to give homeless people employment opportunities, shows correlations with the magazines standing and overall depiction of homelessness. This way, by selling the Big Issue, homeless people can not only have employment opportunities, they can also indirectly support the idea that homeless people should be given more opportunities.Whilst, also supporting the cause of fighting against right-wing media's depiction of homeless people, and add others to their cause, with successful sales of The Big Issue. The Big Issue attempts to not give a "hand-out" but give a "hand-up", this means that the homeless would have to work for a chance to reenter normal society, and they would not be given anything for free.
As we know, homelessness is currently a big problem in the UK, which is made apparent by how homeless people are depicted in right wing media. This is why The Big Issue attempts to tackle the problem of homelessness, and also how the homeless are viewed by the majority, due to the depiction of them in the right wing media. Personally, I believe that this is stereotypical, as it is unfair to generalise an entire social group under a few character traits, such as "untrustworthy" or "deceptive." Over time, this makes the reader eventually believe that all homeless people have these qualities, and therefore do not deserve sympathy.
The public's general beliefs regarding homelessness is also affected by the current political situation in the UK. One problem was Brexit, which many Brits, believed would rid the UK of Eastern Europeans, and by extension Homeless Eastern Europeans, which the Right Wing Media implies that there is a vast amount of. This also ties in with the current immigration issue, as many Brits believe that many foreigners are immigrating to the UK, only to immediately become homeless, and not attempt to claim jobs,as they find that they can make more money begging on UK streets than in the streets of their former countries.
On the front cover of the Big Issue magazine, the words "IN BOB WE TRUST" are emblazoned on the front of the magazine. this links to the American Dollar Bill, which has "In God we trust" written on it. A yellow font is used to symbolise hope, joy and happiness. As we know Yellow is a saturated colours, and therefore contrasts with the muted colours in the background, which symbolises having to sleep outside as a homeless person. This shows how Bob is hope for homeless people. A Midshot is used in order to make Bob look more divine, this links to the religious connotations, of "In God we trust." Bob is the focus of the cover, as he is the only figure on the page, this is also made more apparent by the fact that the word "Bob" is written in bold on the front. The background uses muted colours in the background, in comparison to the saturated colours at the front, this is also done to make Bob the focus. The background is not in focus, which also makes this point more apparent. The actual scene takes place on a cold, winter night, to show the struggle that homeless people have at night .Bob is a Totem, as he is associated with God therefore inferring a supernatural power, which gives the homeless people faith.
The fact that The Big Issue's main purpose is to give homeless people employment opportunities, shows correlations with the magazines standing and overall depiction of homelessness. This way, by selling the Big Issue, homeless people can not only have employment opportunities, they can also indirectly support the idea that homeless people should be given more opportunities.Whilst, also supporting the cause of fighting against right-wing media's depiction of homeless people, and add others to their cause, with successful sales of The Big Issue. The Big Issue attempts to not give a "hand-out" but give a "hand-up", this means that the homeless would have to work for a chance to reenter normal society, and they would not be given anything for free.
As we know, homelessness is currently a big problem in the UK, which is made apparent by how homeless people are depicted in right wing media. This is why The Big Issue attempts to tackle the problem of homelessness, and also how the homeless are viewed by the majority, due to the depiction of them in the right wing media. Personally, I believe that this is stereotypical, as it is unfair to generalise an entire social group under a few character traits, such as "untrustworthy" or "deceptive." Over time, this makes the reader eventually believe that all homeless people have these qualities, and therefore do not deserve sympathy.
The public's general beliefs regarding homelessness is also affected by the current political situation in the UK. One problem was Brexit, which many Brits, believed would rid the UK of Eastern Europeans, and by extension Homeless Eastern Europeans, which the Right Wing Media implies that there is a vast amount of. This also ties in with the current immigration issue, as many Brits believe that many foreigners are immigrating to the UK, only to immediately become homeless, and not attempt to claim jobs,as they find that they can make more money begging on UK streets than in the streets of their former countries.
ReplyDeleteOverall, a good essay here Hasheem, much improved compared to the 6 week health check. The areas that you have done well on are in the analysis of the text (Front cover) in terms of media language... where you have analysed the use of font colour and the symbolism linked to Bob. In terms of developing your understanding of media language further you need to be using the required terminologies, (mode of address, type of font, type of shot, type of lighting) The connotations associated with the Cat are overall correct, perhaps a further discussion on why the cat was chosen over a real person might have been mentioned in creating a positive alternative narrative about homelessness and hope. You analysis of the underlying reasons for the rise in homelessness could be backed up by gathering at a from Shelter (charity) never the lease there is some good understanding on this topic. I would also suggest that you should mention the austerity measures resulting in a lack of available low cost homes and cuts in social welfare programs, linked to austerity (collapse of the backing system (2011).