What are some symbols that pop up when we think of knowledge and school? Perhaps the apple, a book, or a graduation cap. One big symbol that may come to mind is the owl. The owl trope is often used in media and marketing as a symbol of knowledge, learning, and prosperity. The symbolism between…
The trope I have chosen is a snake. In the three examples I have chosen, snakes are used as a symbol of evil. This is generally achieved due to a widespread fear of these creatures. Above: Detail from Original Sin, Adam and Eve in The Garden of Eden, late c. 19th. In this image, you…
The union jack is the national flag for Great Britain or the United Kingdom, which consists of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, no law has ever been made to officially make the Union Jack the official flag of Great Britain, it has become the symbol of the United Kingdom through precedent alone. This image…
Example 1: (Illustration) Banks play a major financial role in our society through their responsibility to accept deposits from the public and make loans. Banks provide financial services and stability to our society and are at the center of most, if not all, monetary transactions. Banks represent dependability, trust, and our economy and are an…
Both the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus are religious figures referenced in Christian literature as well as many other religions. Mary is the mother of Jesus and Jesus is the son of Mary. These two religious figures are commonly referenced in the media. They are often brought up to represent goodness, holiness, and power.…
Villains, hate to love them and love to hate them. They’re cunning and come up with the some of the most diabolical, gruesome, and horrifying plans. They know how to make an entrance and make their presence known to others. Also remembered as loud and over the top, flashy and fashionable, our lovely villains are…
Since the late 1970s, an image of a rainbow or a rainbow color scheme has been near synonymous with the LGBTQ+ community. Due to the incorporation of the rainbow on the Pride Flag which is often used to represent the community, the rainbow color scheme is a trope often used in media to indicate LGTBQ+…
Different types of media depict important figures in different ways. The President of the United States is no exception to this rule. This first example is one I wanted to highlight in this post as my featured image. This one is very different from the others and is quite different from anything you would see…
The raised fist is a powerful trope whose meaning has remained unchanged for over 150 years. Although the origin of this symbol is unknown, the raised fist has been used to show support for the oppressed, advocate for social change, and show that the current status quo will not be accepted. The power that this…
U.S. war posters from the First and Second World Wars, Library of Congress. Retrieved from https://streetsofsalem.com/tag/joan-of-arc/ The first image that caught my eye, was the dual posters from the first and second world wars respectively. The poster on the left shows a beautiful young woman clad in armor with a sword raised high against a…
The western genre was one of the most popular genres in the 1900s. Movies, books, television shows, games, and other forms of media were capitalizing on the western lifestyle. The most recognizable image in the genre is the cowboy. The cowboy is the most important aspect of any frontier piece of media. When one thinks…
The hero trope has been used in various forms of media in order to portray a character with the ideals that society typically strives for. The hero trope aims to cater to the sense of morality that many people crave and aim for. The rebel trope includes characters or situations that are challenging yet inspire…
Lady Justice: Lady Justice is depicted as a confident figure who holds a sword in one hand and a scale in the other, with one foot propped up on a book. She is commonly known as “Justitia,” which dates back to Greek mythology as the personification of the goddess Themis, the goddess of divine law…
Kungfu, Chinese dragons, and the Giant Panda are the typical things that come to people’s minds when they think about China. The Great Wall and the Forbidden City appeared in many movies that contain Chinese elements. If you have seen the posters on campus lately or like Chinese food, you probably also know that the…
The “Damsel in Distress” trope has been used consistently all over the globe. It’s been used so consistently that it has become a staple in nostalgia and even in advertising. Only recently have been shed a light on the problematic nature of using weak women and strong men as a trope. The imagery further solidifies…