In Class Quick Write: Monday September 20, 2010

So our second reading for class was "beauty (re)discovers the male body" by Susan Bordo pp. 169-225.
(Really interesting read by the way)

The part of the reading we went over in class discussed a couple of ways in which the male body is represented in advertisments and how they portrayed different kinds of masculinity. It was really indepth discussing how the different representations where used to not only affect the viewer a certain way but to represent the advertisment in different ways depending on the needs of the product and its target audience.

Quick Write: Based on todays reading,which type of masculinity portrayal,that Bordo mentions, do you find most masculine? Considerone of the following:
"Rocks" pg 186
"Leaners" pg 186
Gilmore's Face Off

My response:
In my opinion i feel that "rocks" and the gilmore face-off both are the most masculine. I argue this point because an advertisment where the model is described as "rock" portrays the model in his strongest and most masculine form and alot of times incorporates the gilmore face-off as well.. Standing upright in a strong pose, strong facial expression, and very built physique. Now in "rock" advertisments the model is suppose to be found dominating the viewer,  making you feel like the model is in control and can take control of you. Same concept applies with the gilmore face-off; providing a staring glare from the model directly at viewer forcing you to be the one who must blink or look away. In both forms the model is dominating and in control and uses the eyes and facial expression to emphasis his dominance over the viewer. Like discussed in the reading itself this form of advertisment takes us back to our primal nature in which animals stare each other down trying to force the other into dominance. In most cases, if not all the male species is to dominate the female species in the relationship, and i feel the feel the advertisments go for that same effect when using "rock" and gilmore face-off modelling. Now in persepctive to men seeing this ad I think it clicks with us by showing us something or someone we want to be like therefore coaxing us into buying the product. Also listening to your female counter-part gossip over what she seen my give that incentive to try and recreate the ad for to the best of your ability.