Doing a rhetorical analysis means saying something about a bunch of parts of something in order to make an interpretation about the whole. The act of analysis is to pay attention to details and think critically about how they add up.
But how might you analyze any given thing? It does not just happen from what feminist theorist Donna Haraway calls “the view from nowhere.” We all view something from somewhere. We all have our theories about how things work, and because knowledge can only ever be partial, we use theories to fill in gaps where we feel it is reasonable to do that.
In rhetorical analysis, these theories, or lenses, can help us think about texts in different ways. They help us think about a text from one perspective in a way another perspective would not let us see.
In the chapter “Tools for Analyzing Texts,” you were introduced to a number of different lenses you could use to help analyze a given text. On pages 102-105 a number of lenses are described and on pages 105-108 there is a sample rhetorical analysis of a photograph using many of these lenses.
Revisit those pages (don’t forget to look over your annotations–if you did not do these yet, I would recommend completing the readings for this week first along with annotations for them) and choose one of the questions asked about the photograph on pages 105-108 and use one of the lenses on pages 105-108 to answer that question.
When commenting below:
- Put the number of the question from pages 105-108 in your comment (e.g., #3)
- Tell us the lens your are using.
- Provide your response in about 50-100 words.
- Also: there are 10 questions and 14 of you, so there will be repeats. BUT: try not to all do the same one so that we have some diversity in responses! (though, even doing the same one could produce different responses, of course)
After commenting below, click on the button below to continue.
1. Question 3
2. The Lens that I am using is Critical Race Theory
3. I chose this lens because in the photo shows how African Americans are being marginalized in the US and how this woman was able to stand up to the police and show resiliency although she was in danger. She is standing up for the racial injustice that is present and the point of the protest is to raise awareness so all around the world can see how in such a modern time, a problem that plagued the past could still loom in our lives.
#1, Intersectionality
To understand context, many questions need to be asked. On stereotypes and discriminations, we need to understand social sentiments towards police, African Americans, and women. In addition, we need to assess the time frame during which the event pictured took place, in order to figure out the source of the problem. After researching on these different topics, we can then examine the event through the many matured lenses we have developed.
1. Question #1
2. Ecocriticism
3. I chose ecocriticism when answering question #1 as the picture and question both heavily revolve around the environment. The historical context of this picture depicting an African American woman being approached by an army of police to be detained is extremely important as the situation itself is filled with controversy. She seems to be alone, unarmed, and peacefully protesting for a cause she believes in. She is standing up to the police, and in turn they have decided to handcuff her and “take her behind enemy lines”. Most audiences that are in favor of what this woman are fighting for, would most likely be outraged as from their point of view, she did nothing wrong. To play devils advocate however, people on the opposing field could view her protest as a disturbance and unnecessary.
1. Question 8
2. The lens that I am using is gender studies
3. The image makes me feel that law enforcement officers tend to use excessive force when dealing with protestors who may be simply exercising their rights. I felt this way because I saw that the police men in the image were approaching the lady in a rather terrifying manner yet the lady appeared calm and collected. I also chose the gender lens because I feel that the image illustrates how some violent men (who are represented by the police) have a habit of harassing, terrifying, and hurting women (represented by the calm lady) who tend to be docile.
1. Question 8
2. I used the lens purpose
3. This Image makes me feel that police officers are not our friends and are here to hurt us. The texts purpose to me is to show how the police are bad and are willing to use force against civilians. While its purpose is also to make its audience feel enraged and want to stand up for their rights. I think the author was definitely successful in doing this because after I looked at the picture I wanted to rise up to action and help.
#9 (Intersectionality)
To me this image has meaning because the woman in the picture is a black woman. Honestly if she were any other race it would be hard for me to find the meaning. Black people are often seen as a threat and black woman are often labeled as angry. The image shows that even though she is dressed nicely and her face looks so peaceful, in the eyes of this country because she is a black woman she will always been seen as more threatening than the officers dressing in riot gear going towards peaceful civilians.
Question 3
Critical race theory
This image could be contrasted with those of the civil rights movement representing how black persons still struggle against social/systemic inequality in modern times. The woman in the picture is depicted as a peaceful protester, and you can see how, unnecessarily, two heavily equipped officers approach, ready to apprehend her.
1. Question 8
2. Marxist theory
3. Personally when I look at this image, it reminds me of how classism and race directly intertwine in terms of police brutality. Though it may not seem like it, because people of color do get harassed regardless of whether or not they’re rich, it just reminded me of the reason for the existence of police in general. The system in itself was set up and designed to protect property, with “enforcing law” being its secondary priority. In my high school history class, we were taught that the modern-day police force derived from the slave-catching business (for lack of a better word), which would explain why it seems as if the police system has yet to let go of its racist ideals and continues to treat and manhandle black people as if they were still property to be “retrieved”.
1. Question 4
2. Marxist theory
3. The purpose of the image is to clearly show that the woman is unarmed and not a threat to anyone. The BLM protests are about racial equality, but I believe that they evolved into a general protest because of mass unemployment from the pandemic. From what I know, most people (naively) believe that the purpose of law enforcement is to protect citizens. The truth is that their purpose to protect property and quell disturbances. What is the range of net worth of people who own property, donate to politicians , and invest in special interest think tanks? The answer to that question will reveal the absurdity of people who demonize the protestors.
1. Question 2
2. Critical Rece Theory
3. When I look at this image, I already have a pretty good idea of what is going on. This is because of other pictures, videos, articles, and news that I’ve seen related to Black Lives Matter protests. Because of other things I’ve seen, I can expect that this woman is peacefully protesting and that the police officers are about to put her in hand cuffs. Because of other ingormation I’ve seen, I can also assume that the police officer probably told the woman to move, but she refused because she was standing up for what she believes in.
1) Question 9
2) Intersectionality
3) The fact that the person in the image is a black woman, speaks volumes. In this country, black woman, and black people in general, are perceived as angry and dangerous. This image contradicts that. She is calm and a danger to no one. She is dressed nicely and going about her day like any other citizen. A good portion of this country is ignorant and do not understand that this country is meant to give everyone freedom, not matter race, gender, etc.
Question 6
Lense: Logos
The promixty of the subjects is key to understanding the facts the photographer is presenting. In the background there is a group of policemen in riot gear. They stand shoulder to shoulder resembling a milita, as if about to conduct organized violence. They are completely covered in armor and lack individuality. Along with them the background has some people, possible protestors. They are arranged in a more natural form and have no form of protects. They stand together, vulnerable. In the foreground, the main subjects are to policemen and the girl. They are positioned in the direct middle of the frame. Portraying the division and conflict in the air.