Men's Health Magazine Analysis (2017)

Cover Analysis

Vin Diesel on the Cover

• Positioning: Center of the page, well-lit, direct eye contact emphasizes importance and dominance.
• Representation: Known for muscular build, highlighted with tight clothing and possibly oiled muscles.
• Muscularity: Emphasized to convey masculinity as being big, broad, and brawny.

Language and Imagery

• Focus on Muscles: Words like "muscle", "stronger core", "shape" highlight importance of a man's physique.
• Visual Cues: Arrows and captions direct reader’s attention to muscles.
• Spornosexuality: Term used to describe an obsession with a muscular body, increasingly seen in men's media.

Fitness and Health Focus

• Weight Loss: Cover lines like "burn 100 calories" and "lose eight kilograms fast."
• Aggressive Tone: Words like "burn", "slay", "blast", create a sense of power and aggression.
• Lack of Emotions: Absence of emotional discussions; imperatives are used.
• Military Influence: Fonts appear bold, resembling military style, adding to masculinity.

Design Elements

• Color Scheme: Blue, black, and white; sans serif fonts; bold letters convey power.
• Exclamation Marks: Create drama and excitement.

Cultural and Social References

Intertextuality and Language

• Film Reference: "Gone in 60 Seconds" aligns with target audience interested in cars and adrenaline.
• Technological Language: Words like "reboot" connect to technology, used for diet.

Audience Engagement

• Target Audience: Suggestive language implies a straight and gay male audience.
• Informal Branding: Conversational tone on content page mirrors a familiar friend.
• Cultural Capital: References to intellectual figures suggest an educated audience.

Article Analysis

Alternative Masculinity Representations

• Philip Howells: Featured at 69 years old, challenges age stereotypes.
• Judith Butler's Gender Performativity: Masculinity as performance manifested through fitness and sports.

Health and Medical Views

• Fitness Over Medical Advice: Suggests men rely on fitness rather than doctors.
• Technology Over Experts: Encourages using phones for health advice.

Modern Context

• Technological Influence: Use of hashtags and algorithm discussions reflect current societal trends.

Summary

• Masculinity and Media: Masculinity framed as a performance of physical prowess.
• Design and Language: Both cater to and shape the magazine's intended audience.

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