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Susan Douglas's Essay 'Narcissism As Liberation'

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Susan Douglas's Essay 'Narcissism As Liberation'
The Power of the Media In Susan Douglas's essay "Narcissism as Liberation", she covers the topic of the power of media on American culture. Douglas approaches this topic in a way which grabs her audience's attention quickly. She discusses an advertisement in the first paragraph of her essay. This advertisement is a very popular one among American Society today, especially women. Through discussing such a popular advertisement so early in her essay, Douglas not only grabs her audience's attention but she is able to introduce her audience to the basis of her essay and begin her argument. Douglas argues throughout her essay how the power of media has such a strong influence on American culture today. She points out certain advertisements that …show more content…
This advertisement is for Armani Jeans. Armani is also very well known for his designer jeans. Armani is more expensive than Calvin Klein and is not worn by many people. Armani is directed toward the upper class and is known by his label for his prices. This ad shows a man standing outside presumably in the snow. He is not such a popular model but he still has an impact for the advertisement. He is featured wearing a black jean-jacket and a baseball cap with "AJ" and the symbol of the Armani bird. The clothing this model is wearing is also very plain. The model has a very serious expression on his face. The whole picture is very bold and expressive. He looks very powerful and determined. His face has been shaven and his hair is apparently short. This is the look many male models have. His face seems very symmetrical and well defined. This advertisement is also achieving the same thing the Calvin Klein advertisement achieves. This achievement is creating an image for men in today's society by displaying an attractive man dressed in expensive clothing which makes him desirable. This look is what men are trying to achieve today. Men feel by achieving this look they will be desired and if they do not look or dress this way they will be worthless. To attain this look is as hard for men as it is for women. The cost of the clothing is very expensive and to have the clothing one must have the money for
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