Image Review

The image I chose is an advertisement of sorts for vegetarianism. The image portrays a nude, deceased young woman packaged in plastic on a white cardboard tray; as if she were a piece of meat you could buy at the grocery. The label compares cannibalism to meat eating by marketing the woman as food. The viewer is informed that 55, 000, 000 animals are violently killed each year and placed on the market. Although only mildly informative, the image is directed at two very different audiences. One, having already made up their mind to engage in a diet consisting of animal (100) by-products, is being emotionally persuaded to change their ways. The other, not having consciously decided to eat meat, is being convinced to abstain. The image addresses the present by including up to date information. However, it is leading into the future. The purpose of the image is to change or determine the viewers' opinion on vegetarianism, thus impacting the future. Upon first glance the viewer is repulsed by the gruesome image. In American culture cannibalism is naturally rejected. Therefore the viewer is inclined to dismiss the image all together. However, after a second look one may notice a few minor details. The woman's eyes are closed. Personally, I believe the image would have made a much greater impact if her eyes had been open. This might have induced a moment of self reflection. 'What if that were me?' If the viewer placed them self in the position of the consumed, they may be more inclined to open up to the image's statement. Second, one will find she is nude. Nakedness is often associated with vulnerability and therefore communicating the vulnerability of animals. In conclusion, the startling image is both convincing, informative, and persuasive. Thought provoking images such as this evoke strong emotion in the heart of man. The rhetorical analysis of this image should be an interesting one!