Kilbourne vs. Morgan

In Rereading America excerpts by Jean Kilbourne’s “Two ways a Woman Can Get Hurt”: Advertising and Violence” and Joan Morgan entitled “From Fly-Girls to Bitches and Hos,” both authors focus on gender inequality in America. In doing so they are trying to explain to the audience about the status of women in the men dominated society. Both articles discuss the violence and exploitation of women and demonstrate the power of media and the entertainment world based on our attitudes that influence our behavior as men and women. Both selections also make readers think about the current status of women in the society and the media’s role in a way of effective gender roles among society. Kilbourne and Morgan provide the different examples in their own ways to support their selections and ensure to make their essay successfully persuasive by demonstrating their point of view, while still reaching the same conclusions. Kilbourne takes a calm approach to explain to the readers how the objectification of women in advertisements constitutes a form of cultural abuse, while Morgan adopt a very aggressive way to express her point of view. Comparing Morgan’s tone with Kilbourne, Morgan’s aggressive approach might leave readers disinterested to read her selection. Kilbourne focuses on academic writing and refers the readers as if she is talking directly to the people who are unaware of the negative effects of advertisements. Kilbourne offers a lot of visual examples to provide tangible evidence based on her arguments on advertisements. This strategy attracts the readers because of visual pictures and ensure fast understanding of the point she is trying to justify. It also encourages the attentiveness of the reader in the story. Therefore, using this amazing technique she proves her point by portraying various postures and poses of advertising irrelevant to the product. This