English 101:Analyzing Media Images:

Provocative Bodies

Prof. Everson

Provocative: what does this mean?

Provocative: (adjective) – tending to excite, stimulate or provoke a reaction – can be: negative – repulsion, annoyance, anger positive - attraction, interest, excited

Spanish: provocativo/a

What is a provocative body that you see circulating in the media?

Media: (noun) all the forms of public communication – magazines, television, movies, news, newspapers, websites, social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

“Anime Girl”:Anastasiya Shpagina (Ukraine)

“Russian Barbie” Girl:Valeria Luknoyova

They are (or were) friends!

Is this harmless cosplay?

Project:Analyzing bodies in the media

Today we will begin brainstorming some images to analyze for our first project.

Your turn:In pairs or small groups:1. Brainstorm a list of “provocative bodies” you have

seen in the media (TV, videos, websites, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

2. Make the list of descriptions of these body types, or names (and links if you have them)

3. Hand in the paper with your names on top for today’s class assignment.

>If needed, complete the list for homework.

OUR PROVOCATIVE BODIES IN THE MEDIA

Provocative bodies

>>List the bodies on the board (by name or description)

Reactions:positive emotions

provoked by some images:

• attraction (sexual or platonic)• joy• amusement (laughter)• peacefulness• excitement• surprise• delight

negative emotions provoked by some images:

• disgust • fear• anger• hatred• hostility• pain• jealousy

Rank (order) the images1. Individually or in pairs, list the image from “most

provocative” to “least provocative” – and identify if its in a positive or negative way.

2. What specific emotional reaction do you have to the image? (See our examples.)

3. Images in the media can influence your own body image. Which image or type of image do you most think about in relation to your own body?

4. Which of these images do you think have the most negative influence on people’s body image? Why?

Hand in: at end of class – or complete for homework (10 points in class assignment)