Berger Reading Response

Before You Read

1. If I were to draw a woman I would have her facing forward. I would draw her this way because I would want her face to show. She would be the only one in the picture and she would be in a grassy field. The woman in my picture would be dressed in a white dress.

Summary

In the reading Berger talks about women and how they perceive themselves. He particularity talks about women from a time where they took nude pictures to view themselves and have others view them. Berger talks of men that both look at women's appearance and the way she acts in the nude pictures. He also says that women judge themselves in the pictures just as much as the men do. He compared different pictures from different time periods to make his point. Some of the pictures were old European and some were from modern advertising. He explains that women still look at themselves and are looked at in the same way today as in the early century. 

Thoughts

I thought the reading was very interesting. Berger's point was very valid. Women do judge themselves and compare themselves to others. Everything is about appearance to women, such as the clothes we wear and so on. I do believe it is true that both men and women look at the same aspects today as they did in the early century.

Synthesis

The reading compares pictures of women today and in art from the past. It is a lot like how McCloud compares basic and complex pictures. Berger proves that pictures have the same impact on viewers today as they did in the past. Berger's explanation is that men and women still view photos of women the same now as they did throughout history.

Questions

2. Women's pictures have been in advertisements and pop culture for years. Rosie the Riveter in war advertisements and Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe painting are great examples. These pictures are the same in some ways as the nudes described by Berger. Women and men both judged Marilyn Monroe as a sex symbol and a very powerful woman. The descriptions of the nudes were also judged by the way the women was laying or even her facial expression. Our pictures then and now are still the same as they are both still viewed as objects. 

3. The definitions are somewhat different today. Men and women today both like looking good and acting respectful in society. But men and women also both like having power as well. 

3. I do agree that today a woman's position in a picture plays a factor in the way the picture is viewed. Such as if a woman was pictured sitting with her face in her hands. Most would think the woman was sad or frustrated.

MM. I believe it is important to read articles concerned with these things so you have a better understanding of the word and so that you grasp that those words can having different meanings in different situations. In writing the spectator would relate to the author, the viewer would be the audience, and the writing could be art and/or advertisement.