Question

Look at these four advertisements from the 1920s. For each one, analyze the target audience, the kind of persuasive influence it is intended to create, and what it says about gender, if anything. The first ad analysis has been completed for you.

Answer 1

a.

suit

rich men This ad is visually pleasing and conveys a sense of romance and luxury. It suggests that a man who buys this product will radiate success and be a hit with desirable and ultra-fashionable women such as the one who occupies most of the ad space.

This ad has strong sexual overtones in its depiction of the luxurious and highly leisurely woman—shown with soft, curvy lines and sporting a highly stylized hairdo—as she looks longingly at the suited man contained in his rectangular frame.

b.

radio

women or men

Like the first ad, this one shows a woman in comfortable leisure clothing. However, she has a less fashionable, or cutting-edge, hairstyle and conveys a sense of homey coziness. Presumably, if viewers buy the same kind of radio, they too will be able to relax in a "blue glow" of domestic ease.

This ad shows a woman in domestic contentment. Her clothing is flowing and comfortable looking but covers her shoulders, suggesting she is more likely a housewife than the woman in the suit ad. She is less sexualized and is not explicitly connected with a man.

c.

car

middle-class families

The ad copy touts the affordability factor of the sedan while the graphic suggests that the consumer can own this car and enjoy idyllic bliss in the country as a family.

The family depicted consists of two girls and their mom, while the dad is not expressly shown, although he could be the photographer capturing his happy family with their car. It implicitly invites hard-working men to see this vehicle as worth the $775 to bring security and contentment to their wives and children.

d.

cosmetics

young women

The copy for this ad clearly states its appeal to sell products that will help women stay young and attractive. The graphic image shows a woman in a fashionably short skirt who seems confident in her self-worth, suggesting these creams and powders are the reason.

This ad seems intended to drive smart young women into beauty fads by playing to their vanity. The cosmetics industry, which was focused exclusively on women, saw rapid growth in the 1920s.

Answer 2

a. suit

rich men

This ad is visually pleasing and conveys a sense of romance and luxury. It suggests that a man who buys this product will radiate success and be a hit with desirable and ultra-fashionable women such as the one who occupies most of the ad space.

This ad has strong sexual overtones in its depiction of the luxurious and highly leisurely woman—shown with soft, curvy lines and sporting a highly stylized hairdo—as she looks longingly at the suited man contained in his rectangular frame.

b. radio

women or men

Like the first ad, this one shows a woman in comfortable leisure clothing. However, she has a less fashionable, or cutting-edge, hairstyle and conveys a sense of homey coziness. Presumably, if viewers buy the same kind of radio, they too will be able to relax in a "blue glow" of domestic ease.

This ad shows a woman in domestic contentment. Her clothing is flowing and comfortable looking but covers her shoulders, suggesting she is more likely a housewife than the woman in the suit ad. She is less sexualized and is not explicitly connected with a man.

c. car

middle-class families

The ad copy touts the affordability factor of the sedan while the graphic suggests that the consumer can own this car and enjoy idyllic bliss in the country as a family.

The family depicted consists of two girls and their mom, while the dad is not expressly shown, although he could be the photographer capturing his happy family with their car. It implicitly invites hard-working men to see this vehicle as worth the $775 to bring security and contentment to their wives and children.

d. cosmetics

young women

The copy for this ad clearly states its appeal to sell products that will help women stay young and attractive. The graphic image shows a woman in a fashionably short skirt who seems confident in her self-worth, suggesting these creams and powders are the reason.

This ad seems intended to drive smart young women into beauty fads by playing to their vanity. The cosmetics industry, which was focused exclusively on women, saw rapid growth in the 1920s.

Step-by-step explanation:

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