Week 4 – Discourse and Idiology


Actor Hugh Grant

5 Simple things to look for in YOUR Prince Charming:

1) Style!
You need to choose what kind of Prince you are after. Are you a classic Disney’s Prince Phillip kind of girl? Or do you like a bit of lovable rogue Flynn Rider?

2) Hair!
There is no point you taking care of your hair if your Prince is going to share the wild locks of Tarzan. Get yourself a Prince who knows how to look after their hair, and will pack a spare hairdryer.

3) Strong!
Who do you want to give you a piggy-back when your feet are sore (trust me, girls, we’ve all been there and yes, those heels are just too cute)? Prince Charming? Exactly! Get yourself a Prince who can bench 100kg and has the abs to prove it.

4) Ambition!
Even Aladdin had dreams of becoming a Prince, so don’t settle for a guy who aims for anything less! Nobody wants a Hans in their life!

5) Romantic!
Do you remember the movie Tangled? Of course, you do! Do you remember the feeling of supreme jealousy Flynn took Rapunzel out on a boat, so they can watch the fire lanterns fill the night sky? *sigh* Yeah I do too. Make sure your Prince Charming goes above and beyond to show you how much he cares.

Commentary:

I have created my blog in the form of a list of 5 things to look for in a “Prince Charming”. I chose to do it in the mode of a list as it has the connotation of simplicity and clarity, this would appeal to the stereotypical audience of Seventeen Magazine (women aged 12-17).  Furthermore, the chosen mode reflects a (dated) view of femininity, conveying the idea that women strive for a male romantic partner, or “Prince Charming”, and that it is achievable in as little as five steps.

Throughout the text, I have made references to the popular children’s film company: Disney. This is so that the audience identify themselves in connection with a Disney Princess. This ties in with the ideology that women are typically weak and require saving by a masculine figure. However, I have presented this list in a way that places the female audience in a position of power, as it is they who chose their “Prince Charming”.

I have tried to challenge the traditional ideology of masculinity in my post. For example, “2) Hair”, which stereotypically would be a very feminine focus for men. Traditionally men care less about their appearance, particularly their hair. This juxtaposition to tradition shows that values and goals have changed when looking for a romantic partner. With the introduction of aspects like social media, appearance has a much higher credit than traditional characteristics shared by an older generation (such as honesty, nobility and the ability to provide for a family).

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