Reading the Signs

Semiotics is the study of meaning. I still don't know why we began the lecture with a drawing test though...

Denotation: Literal meaning

Connotation: What it suggests

Myth: The 'world-view' (ideological/political)

The fact that even fonts can change the meaning of a word (as evidenced in the Lecture with the various genres of music. I particularly liked the inclusion of the clothes that 'Alex' and the 'Droogs' are wearing and the meaning behind them.

The 'TeleShop' adverts also show the world we live in presenting guns in typical images of the common couple.

Malcolm's Lecture got us talking about semiotics in films. We naturally chose John McClane considering we were a group of 4 guys who love action movies. (Die Hard rates pretty high in out top films lists)

McClane's character wears the white vest throughout all four films which becomes a part of the image of his character.


Denotation: serious man, tattooed, receding hairline, exposed arms, gun clearly visible, hurt, stubble, dirty
Connotation: dangerous, old, rebel, angry, rushed for time
Myth: on the run, thief, terrorist, wrong side of the law

This shows that we can get the wrong connotation of someone by their image as John McClane is actually the good guy trying to stop someone with that description.