Criticism Post #7

Visual

I apologize to my readers for posting this one a little late. For criticism post seven, I have decided to focus on one of our newer theories we have learned, which is visual rhetorical criticism. In our class slide presentation on the theory visual, we learned that there are five visual aspects to consider while analyzing. Syntax is when you consider the meaning and the message of the visuals, for example, what the text is trying to say visually, like the overall message. Pragmatism focuses on whether or not it works, for example, how practical the message is, and which audience does it appeal to. Codes looks at how meaning is layered, for example, images often have codes for other meanings, and how this code affects the overall meaning. Composition unpacks how exactly it’s all put together, for example, the background, props, colors, and what is included in that specific frame. Finally, the gaze considers who looks, who is looked at, and how that relates to power, for example, how the audience’s eye is drawn to the text, and what the people in the text are looking at. Overall, when analyzing visual theory, we want to be able to understand how visual elements can move an audience. In the text I am about to analyze, I will focus mainly on the visual codes and composition.“A detailed analysis of illustrated imagery and the function of color demonstrate the rhetorical force toward narration and ideology possible in the visual form,” (Wolfe, The Lorax).

In season four, episode thirteen, “The Home,” Grace and Frankie are living in assisted living. I have previously mentioned in a past post, how Grace and Frankie’s children tricked them into living here. In this post, I am going to focus on the short time that they did live in the assisted living, and apply it to the theory. There is a scene in this episode where Grace and Frankie attended a class which focused on, “looking great and feeling good,” that had to do with new, comfortable clothing, where the key audience is obviously towards older people, seniors. As an audience ourselves, we can imagine these outfits based on what we see most seniors wearing. From watching the show, we also are well aware of Grace and Frankie’s specific style and choice in clothing, and these senior outfits are far from each of their unique styles. Frankie wears baggy clothing, mostly muumuus, which are bold colors and prints, with big, colorful jewelry as an accessory. Grace’s style is very sophisticated, that mostly consists of popped up collared blouses and slacks, with some type of heel. Grace and Frankie are in these senior outfits and we see that they definitely don’t look right on them based on their characters in the show. 

“Well, you have to admit these clothes feel comfortable. Grace, how do your knees feel in those shoes?” – Friend of Grace and Frankie, whom also lives at Walden Villas.

In the next scene, Frankie’s boyfriend has been on business for the past two months and doesn’t know that she now lives at Walden Villas. He finds out and finds her at this class, wearing these senior clothes. They go for a walk around the outdoor grounds of the assisted living and discuss how she ended up living there.

“It’s not understandable. I come back to town, and you are in a home!” – Nick 

“This is a retirement community.” – Grace

“What difference does it make, you don’t belong here.” – Nick

“Look, I may have ended up here a little early, but I’m gonna end up here anyway.” – Grace

It’s clear at this point, that the audience knows, and other characters, like Nick, know that Grace and Frankie not only do not belong in those senior clothes, but also do not belong in the senior living retirement home. 

We know that Grace and Frankie do not belong at Walden Villas based on what we see visually going on in these two scenes. Which is the overall message, the syntax of this message is that judging by what everyone wears, and looks like, Grace and Frankie do not belong. The visual codes that we see that make the overall message are the senior outfits they are wearing. They are loose, jump suits, with foam visors, fanny pack, and velcro tennis shoes. The colors they chose, which have to do with the composition as well, are light and pastel, which we also can view as a more gentle, comfortable clothing – which are perfect for seniors to wear. When Grace and Nick are walking on the walk path, we notice in the background another couple, struggling to walk, with the use of their canes, and notice them having to take a break on a nearby bench. We also see in the background a group of seniors wearing the senior outfits in a fitness class, where they are all sitting down in chairs, doing some basic arm movement. We can see Grace and Frankie are physically fit, and in no capacity like the other seniors’ health at the assisted living. 

Using these visual elements makes it easy to understand that the rhetor was trying to deliver the message, which is that Grace and Frankie do not fit in at the senior retirement home. I believe it succeeded at establishing the delivery of this message. The rhetor used color in the senior clothing and the camera view, which focused on Grace and/or Frankie, with the struggling seniors in the background, showing that they stand out amongst the other seniors living there. I believe these visual aspects moved the audience and gave us a clear picture of the message.