Term Paper on "Cosmopolitan and Pride and Prejudice"

Term Paper 4 pages (1011 words) Sources: 0

[EXCERPT] . . . .

COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE vs. PRIDE and PREJUDICE

The essence of the writings of Richard Simon in the book, "Trash Culture" is the fact that history does in fact repeat itself through literature. Simon discusses how modern magazines such as Cosmopolitan can shed new light on the novels of such authors as Jane Austen, Gustave Flaubert and Edith Wharton. This paper will specifically discuss the comparison between Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice and the popular magazine Cosmopolitan, specifically the February 2002 edition featuring pop culture celebrity Britney Spears.

The mere fact that Britney Spears is the highlighted celebrity in this issue illustrates Simons comparison between modern culture and the characters in the coming of age novels such as Pride and Prejudice. She is the example of the modern woman in pop culture just as the women portrayed in Pride and Prejudice were women of their culture.

It is the essence of not only woman that is portrayed in both venues, it is the strength of women that is portrayed. Cosmopolitan magazine prides itself on dealing with women's issues in a way that empowers women. The whole essence of Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the internal struggle and strength of strong women. The characters in Pride and Prejudice focus on the comraderie of strong women as does Cosmopolitan. The magazine draws its readers from a pool of a particular type of woman as does Pride and Prejudice. Women can identify with the articles in the magazine and the story of Pride and Prejudice. It becomes personal to them in many respects.

The cover of the magazine highlights Simon's example of how mass media, "trash culture" today focuses on such similar issues and problems as were apparent many years ago. The magazine focuses on courtship, self-image, fashion, health concerns and also gives an example of the "perfect woman." This image is one that women have been trying to compete with for centuries. Granted the outward appearance of this perfect woman and her figure, style of clothing and makeup choices may have changed throughout the years but the premise remains the same. Women strive for perfection in whatever form it is socially accepted.

Simon's grasp of the comparison between the novel and the magazine should not be confused with the overall differences between the two.

Cosmopolitan according Simon is representative of the culture as a whole. It is geared to the women of the culture and their interaction with the men. Cosmopolitan focuses on advertising as a way to get its message across to its readers. Cosmopolitan uses flashy advertisements, photographs and catch phrases to illustrate its point. Cosmopolitan focuses on the here and the now, not past history. The view of Cosmopolitan is peripheral and its focus is to grab the attention of its readers. Its articles are geared to catch the attention of the reader as the magazine sits amidst many others in a magazine stand. The real essence of the Cosmo woman is one that is portrayed as a product of our trash culture society. The mold… READ MORE

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