headline - reinforces the anchorage as the star vehicle is clearly inside a car and the headline states 'driven to despair'. also anchors central image by making the defeat of her brexit proposals into something more personal and emotional than political and factual. this is an attempt to narrate what is a quite 'dry' story. it fulfils the news value of 'personalisation' where politicians become characters we may empathise with (even if we don't agree with their political views)
central image of star vehicle , theresa may, as brexit was the immediate and most important news story. its a close up photograph of May looking distraught. she has a pained facial expression and dark rings under her eyes which denote high emotions and possible lack of sleep.
the smaller headlines above the main offer a bigger picture, the last still focuses on may as an individual.
the 'in the news' stories at the bottom of the page also supply some global context for the main story; financial, environmental and travel news are topics the times audience is interested in.
most of the print is in black and white, which connotes the seriousness of the content. the fashion feature 'puff box' at the top of the page in in a paler, pastel colour that is more feminine and less serious.
the strapline 'britain's most trusted newspaper' draws on the times' long history and reputation as a quality brand that will give readers a range of viewpoints on serious issues. the heraldic style logo reinforces this.
REPRESENTATIONS:
the photography could be interpreted as representing May as a stereotypical woman: emotional, vulnerable, and easily upset. however the 'candid' , almost invasive, framing of the photo also suggests she is allowing her feelings to show in private, whereas in public she is more controlled.
female politicians often find it challenging to show they are both strong, capable leaders and caring and warm human beings. one rival MP said May wouldn't make a good prime minister because she doesn't have children! if they come across as too 'masculine' female politicians can lose supporters, something male politicians don't seem to worry about.
the language o the headline also focuses on May's emotions rather than her political achievements. however , the tone suggests that she is justified in feeling this way.
FEMINIST THEORY - VAN ZOONEN
zoonen suggested that women are often portrayed as sexualised, weak or vulnerable in the media. though Theresa May is shown as vulnerable, the image used also suggested defiance in the face of adversity; she is not sexualised.
also even though the reader may not agree with her political actions, May is a high profile, very powerful woman who is often portrayed battling against privileged male politicians. this kind of woman is rarely seen in the media, especially with current affairs, and van zoonen would suggest that despite her politics many women would aspire to her status. the personal tone of the headline and photo build this sense of intimacy.
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