Melissa Rubins Essay

Questions for Melissa Rubin Essay

1.       The insight she offers is that during the 1950’s American’s supported the veterans and that the culture was white male dominated, and that the labor force was working together.  The image shows men in business suits, blue collar workers, and men in uniform all together as a community with smiling faces. Only a few women in are the background wearing dresses.  Yes I have been persuaded to believe that this was true. The image does appear to describe what she is saying.

2.       She incorporates the labor struggles that the unions had, the fact that it was after the war, and that there was an exclusion of any black people. She mentions that Coke did have some famous blacks in other ads. The white men could be working class but the blacks had to be famous.

3.       What do the images symbolize in relation to what the product is offering? Are the images relevant to today’s world?

4.       Pemco Insurance says they are a lot like me. They talk about things that are common with Northwest residents; sandals with socks, goat herd guy, geodesic dome building, and wood carving. This ad is saying we are all unique which encompasses everyone. This is the same as the Coke ad appealing to as many “regular” people as possible. They are both based on stereotypes. They are both portraying the values of the people of the times.