Signifier

In the advertisement above for Heinz ketchup, they use persuasive appeal when the signifiers contain a bright red background, a standard bottle of Heinz ketchup sliced horizontally with a tomato on top, and white text stating “No one grows ketchup like Heinz.” Ketchup is usually full with sugar, however the ketchup bottle, cut like a suitable tomato, signifies freshness. The venders behind this advertisement attempt to re define the elements in ketchup by converting the bottle into a healthy…

In its original form, “Norma, Queen of the Hotdogs” tells the story of a young and successful woman entrepreneur who upon being kissed by her accountant, decides to give up her business ambitions in favor of marriage and children. However when the warm, friendly colours used in the comic are replaced with cold blues, greys, and reds, a very different narrative unfolds. The blues and reds communicate the sub current tale of violence, and ultimately assault, which is being carried through this…

not those of most women in western society, but themes of female entrepreneurship, motherhood, the struggle of balancing home and work life, and female friendship carry through and can resonate with women from all walks of life. These themes are signifiers that represent the modern struggle of womanhood and the postfeminist backlash that either pits women against the traditional role of wife or pushes them full-force into the stereotype. The women in The Real Housewives are shown in all facets…

Language, a term that derived from the Latin word lingua meaning tongue, can refer to a variety of concepts such as word formation and speech used by people of different countries, areas or social groups. Language is possessed by human beings and is a clear indication of the difference in human communication system when compared to those of the animal kingdom. Language helps us as humans in so many ways. It enables us to collect and preserves knowledge so that we can pass it along to the next…

which videos to watch, and more importantly which videos to share. In this way, viewers have built a model that videos must follow in order to go viral. Among other characteristics, viral videos are often short and sweet, contain a hook, or “key signifiers”, and trigger an immediate emotional response which in the case of “Damn Daniel” would be laughter. These are notable characteristics that propel videos into “viral video culture”. The creators of these videos understand that there is a…

Race is an underlining factor that is socially constructed within society. According to genetics, humans are found to have the same genetic make up, this leads individuals to question where the idea of race being a signifier of difference derives from, the answer is social construction. This concept will be explored through linguistics, anthropology, the case of Christie Lewis, and finally American Cinema. Linguistics plays a vast role in the construction of race, it distinguishes difference…

Importance of Metaphor Despite the seemingly incompatibility between metaphor and an ability to transmit fact, metaphors are an importance point of access we have to it. It also has the capability to make facts more applicable to our understanding. Facts use metaphors as their mode of transport out of non-existence and into the concrete realm. Initially, figurative language allows for a concept to be imagined and thus brought into existence. Thought and knowledge effect the way in which humans…

A Distinct Method? Can a field like American studies known for its multidisciplinary attributes use a specific method to understand America? Although the basis for the field is to broaden its perspective via several disciplines, there are certain methods the study has utilized to better understand America. Such methods as myth and symbol, contextualism and engaging in one discipline have been established for deciphering text, finding themes, and deconstructing groups. These theories, which…

inherit the upper-class mannerisms and principles, due to their working class backgrounds. As a result, the “ivy”, which has connotations of age and hence Gatsby’s traditional wealth, is an attempt by the character to imitate what he believes as signifiers of prestige and cultural refinement, evident within “old money” residents such as Tom Buchanan. Like Gatsby, Robbie was not born into wealth, being the “only son of a humble cleaning lady and of no known father”. Having said that, “humble”…

piece in this deconstructive setting. For example: having a dog as a nanny challenges the essentialism of nanny/caregiving. This shows that a female dog can take better care of the family than possibly a man could. Also, the thimble and acorn switch signifiers to signify one another. This shows that both words have the same meaning, but are different words. They can also be interpreted in other ways that have nothing to do with a kiss. Then, internal contradictions of Peter and the Lost Boys and…