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Ocalan's angels

How are representations of young kurdish women constructed?

The article suggests that kurdish women are not treated equally and are discriminated against.There are many examples in the text that show this e.g. "We live in a world where women are dominated by men".It is this patriarchal oppression that they face which has inspired many kurdish women to join the YPJ and fight ISIS.The use of images also indicates that women kurdish women are vulnerable.Both pictures on the front page include a women facing the camera from the side.This camera technique makes the subject appear smaller in the frame,which accurately represents how women are made to feel less powerful and important than men.

How do these representations reflect the ideology of huck?

Hucks ideology is that people should act outside the "norm" and be unique.The representation of Kurdish women in the article reflects this ideology.What stands out for being unique about the kurdish women in this article is that they are fighting in the army.Typically it is men who go to fight in the army,however,it is the opposite.Their army is reffered to as the  Kurdish feminist army,and not just the Kurdish army,which proves how uncommon it is.This relates to stuart Halls theory of representation,as it proves that we reduces females to a few simple characteristics.What is even more uncommon about these kurdish women is that some of them are killing men.Stereotypically,men are seen as more big and powerful than women.Therefore,it is surprising that some of these women are able to beat male ISIS fighters in a gun fight.A part of the article reads "their friend had been killed by a woman".The use of red font makes it standout which emphasises how uncommon this is.

How is the audience positioned in relation to these representations?

The audience is positioned to view these representations as misleading.In the article the kurdish women think that they are doing the right thing by fighting for the army.The article has a linear narrative,a beginning ,middle and an end.Both the beginning and the end of the article mention death,which suggests that these women will all eventually die.Death is also referenced throughout the rest of the article,as we hear about the death of Cicek and Viyan Paymen.In addition,the masthead is written in black,which is a colour associated with death.From this we can see that the magazine is trying to show that these women are lured into danger.


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