Answer as many of the questions as you need to develop a point-of view about the message of this piece and whether or not it is helpful or harmful to viewers.
- What gender does the piece’s perspective reflect?
- How are subjects of the piece dressed?
- Describe the relationships between the men and women: Are they long or short term? Casual or serious? Broken up or together?
- What are the men/women doing?
- How are the men/women dressed? How much skin is revealed?
- Are there more, fewer, or the same number of men as women?
- Describe the body language of the men/women?
- What cultural ideals of masculine and feminine behaviors/beliefs does the piece convey?
- What conflict arises in the piece?
- When does the conflict surface? How do you know?
- Does value reorientation occur? In other words, throughout the course of the piece does the narrator change what he/she values or does he/she maintain the same values?
- Who or what makes the change in values happen?
- Is that which is culturally valuable presented as masculine or feminine?
- What evidence can be found that one gender is devalued in the piece? Look for visual and/or verbal symbols.
- Does the piece challenge the typical hegemonic structure or support it? In other words, does the piece go against what most people see as typical or support it?
- Do you think this belief system is helpful or damaging to the viewer/listener?
- What beliefs about relationships or gender roles does the piece attempt to convey to the viewers?
ALEXA GARVOILLE 