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Newspapers are a means through which information is conveyed to the reader. However, there are different facets that are involved while conveying messages to the reader. The Washington Post is an example of a newspaper which will be used in this context for analysis with regard to “Philadelphia Escalated its Conflict with an Anarchist Group”.
The topic can make one to believe that there is a certain group trying to overthrow the government in place but, this is not the case. This is a newspaper analysis on the aspect of class differences, which apparently has been painted a different picture by the newspaper headlines.
The photograph depicts two different racial groups, the black and the whites. This is an implication that there exist two different types of classes. A photograph is an “object that has been chosen, composed, structured, worked on and treated based on professional, ideological and aesthetic norms, which are various factors of connotation” (cited in Bignell 98).
The two racial groups are a representation of the different classes that exist in Philadelphia. Price (431) has shown how the two groups suggest two types of classes: the wealthy and superior verses the poor and suppressed. This is illustrated by the white man who is neatly dressed and represents formality and authority while the three other men are a symbol of informality and submission.
Classism is also endorsed by the fact that there is unequal representation brought out by the two groups. The three black men as opposed to one white man tell it all about the inequality and injustice that prevails. The two groups are paradigms of the different cultural affiliations and social classes present in Philadelphia.
Cultural differences should not be used to point out a certain group of people as an anarchist as reported in the article. Unfortunately, this is the case in Philadelphia as the poor are seen as ‘White trash’ (Price, 431-435).
The photograph as declared by Carter in his ‘Semiotic Analysis of Newspaper Front-Page Photographs’, is used to portray a certain kind of attitude. Both groups connote lack of sentimentality. This can be attributed to the fact that there is some kind of resentment towards each other due to the differences in social class, not forgetting the conflicts involved.
The white man in the photograph is MOVE’s lawyer, a responsibility he has assumed out of obligation. He does not care about the black people who in this case are the suppressed minority characterized by poverty, illiteracy and ignorance.
The white lawyer is therefore representing the group due to the returns associated with this position and not because he cares for the black people, the poor. Robert Guzzardi has also been referred to as MOVE’s lawyer but his talk as indicated in the article, does not correspond to this role (Quinn and Flood A4).
According to the headlines, one expects to find an incomparable level of conflict between Philadelphia state and the ‘MOVE’ group. Apparently, this is not the case and the setting up of the blockade is not called for.
The demeanor of the ‘MOVE’ is one that is connoted by poverty, ignorance and illiteracy, away from the upheld perception that they rebel against the authority set in place. The cause of conflict as implied in the article can be solved through a consensus after arriving at a conclusion as implied by the photograph, despite not being the case.
The main theme of the article as observed from the headlines is that there is escalated dispute between the state of Philadelphia and the supposed ‘anarchist group’ going by the name ‘move’. Typographic coding has been used to grasp the attention of the reader.
In showing the emphasis of the conflict between Philadelphia state and the ‘MOVE’, the article has used capital letters while referring to these two groups. On the contrary, a detailed examination of the contents of the newspaper indicates that the move group is not an anarchist as reported. The difference is with reference to cultural beliefs, values and social class.
The large sized photograph and the eye catching headlines leave the reader in an indecisive status. What is what? Conflict, or there is more to the façade of conflict that has been pointed out in the headlines. The picture, contrary to the headlines, shows some dialogue taking place between two sides. At a glance, it is quite obvious that something is amiss here as the headlines and the photograph convey different messages.
The main war is on equality with regard to power and culture, and not treason. Contrary to what one may expect, there is no exchange of fire between MOVE and the blockade. This is a clear show that ‘MOVE’ is not an anarchist as stated.
Linguistically, the term ‘escalates’ and ‘anarchist group’ have been used to suggest tension and segregation thereby indicating resentment, hostility and displeasure. The article implies a connection with Philadelphia but maintains a distance with the anarchist group. Familiarity of the elite individuals in state is evident whereas details about ‘MOVE’ are lacking hence, maintaining a distance between this group and the reader.
MOVE is seen as a criminal gang and at no one time has the article supported this group in any way. Several allegations have been made and are thought to be linked with ‘MOVE’ but there is no single evidence of this.
Photographs, typographic codes and language are some of the elements that are used to analyze a newspaper. These elements can present a certain picture based on composition and appropriate structuring. However, it takes more than a mere glimpse to actually get the actual message. A thorough content analysis of any paper is very essential so as to obtain the actual message being conveyed.
Works Cited
Bignell, J. Media Semiotics: An Introduction. Manchester: Manchester Press. 1997.
Carter, Paul. A Semiotic Analysis of Newspaper Front-Page Photographs. 2000. Web.
Price, Angelina. Working Class Whites. In Readings for Analytical Writings. Farris, Christine. (Ed). Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2007.
Quinn, Jim & Flood, Ralph. Philadelphia Escalates its Conflict with an Anarchist Group. The Washington Post. 1978.
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