https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dARPOq5VPPA
Above is the most recent Carl's Jr./ Hardees advertisement for the 1,180 calorie Tex Mex Thickburger; published on September 25th, 2015. This advertisement contains clear examples of lust, gluttony, and pride. This ad features overtly sexualized versions of American and Mexican women competing in a sexy, sexy beach volleyball game across the border to determine if the horrific meat pile is 'Tex' or 'Mex' (aren't we all winners just to watch?). The setting of a hot day in South Texas aids in Carl's Jr.'s ability to justify using images of sweaty women in bikinis competing against each other. Interestingly enough, while there are plenty of implicit and explicit messages about the role of women in society, there is no discernible difference between the social status of Mexicans and Americans, and the cultures of the two nations were portrayed as homogenous.
As far as the sins present in the advertisement, lust is implicit because the men in the ad are transfixed by the scantily clad women playing volleyball. Gluttony is also apparent in this ad because the women and men are all eating overly large and unhealthy burgers and glorifying an unhealthy diet. And finally, there is pride in this ad because both the U.S. and Mexico are fighting for the right to claim the gluttonous burger are as their own creation. All of these sins are portrayed in this advertisement through visual imagery and dialogue, and it is geared towards males aged 13-35.
Aidan
ReplyDeleteBe sure you do more with the little picture- look at and cite specific examples of format, structure, language, etc. It will strengthen your analysis and provide more depth/ examination of effect in your big picture
Dear Aidan,
ReplyDeleteWow! How did you find this commercial? I definitely agree with the deadly sins of lust, gluttony, and pride. I feel as these perfectly describe the commercial, and your explanations provide assurance for each. However, I wish you would have provided more insight into the commercial itself. I think it is extremely important to note the use of stereotypes within the advertisement. The stereotypes seen in the women and in the men play a large role in how we determine the culture of each side.
This was great. I liked your analysis of what this advertisement said beyond a first glance, but I would appreciate more of a description of its structure/appearance. A link is nice but a video that you can watch on the site is always the preferred method!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above in that you had a great first analysis. I think that having the Mexican-American fence being the net for the volleyball game was super interesting in supporting the "Tex vs Mex" debate. Overall, cool example of the deadly sins!
ReplyDelete