Advertisement Analysis

An average person in the United States sees 300 to 700 marketing messages per day;
from online ads, television commercials, to billboards and banners, it is inevitable that the
average consumer will become someones target. Today, the ideal woman is extremely skinny
with flawless skin, open with her sexuality, and comfortable in her own body which is what the
ad shows. Pepsi uses famous celebrities such as Sofia Vergara to model its new skinny can of
Diet Pepsi. From the coordinating colors and undulating angles of the Pepsi logo and the models
attire to the implications of the text in conjunction with the can of Pepsi, the audience is mislead
to think that one will be like the model after drinking Diet Pepsi. On the one hand, the ad makers,
Pepsis corporate backers, and even Sofia Vergara herself may argue that this ad signifies
embracing ones body and being confident in the skin that we are in. However, I argue that this
ad places a superficial importance on things in society that do not define who women are, but
instead focuses on what women should be like. The subliminal messages behind this Diet Pepsi
advertisement appeals to the primary appetites of women, suggesting the false belief that
drinking Diet Pepsi will give women three of societys coveted desires: beauty, sophistication,
and entertainment.
The ad implies that women who drink the new skinny can of Diet Pepsi will be
beautiful. Todays beauty standards in America have almost become unattainable, as many of
our expectations of feminine beauty were shaped in large part by modern advertisers (Scherker).
Sofia Vergara, the model in this ad, is pictured to have flawless skin, a thin body, and a perfectly
sculpted face with long eyelashes. The text on the side of the ad states that this thinner can of
Diet Pepsi is the new skinny can. The portrayal of the slender can is directed towards the
broader audience; one will be mislead to think that she will become slender by drinking Diet

Pepsi. However, this fact is clearly false. Her physical appearance of bright red lips draws
attention to the center of the ad and allows one to focus on the item Pepsi is trying to advertise.
The model attains every coveted factor of appearance that is desired by women in society today.
This does not aid, but contributes to the growing statistics of insecure young girls, women, and
older women as well. Instead of society promoting modesty and purity, it places emphasis on
being sexy and slender.
Pepsi claims that women who drink Diet Pepsi are sophisticated. The large sun hat that
the model is wearing signifies elegance, and places esteem on her status. The model seems to be
young in her mid 20s, rendering this is the age of beauty. However, if the audience were aware
that Sofia Vergara, is infact, 42 year old, this would prove even further that those who drink Diet
Pepsi are sophisticated and wealthy enough to take exceptional care of her skin and body to
maintain an essence of youth. The models sophistication is also shown in her posture. Her
shoulders are slightly pointing forward, and the way that she is drinking Diet Pepsi places a high
regard on the model. This is very misleading because people normally do not drink Pepsi in such
a seductive and fashionable manner. Diet Pepsi is something that one drinks with a greasy slice
of pizza, or at a Super Bowl party with a large platter of chicken wings. This appearance of
sophistication and execution of refinement in the model herself subliminally implies that the
audience who drinks Diet Pepsi can in fact become sophisticated as well.
The ads subliminal messages and implied imagery point to the idea that women who
drink Diet Pepsi are entertaining and patriotic. The model in this ad is wearing a sun hat with a
bathing suit, which implies having a fun day near the pool or beach on a nice summer day. This
is inviting to the audience because many people seek to have this relaxing period in the midst of
a draining and stressful day or week. Although Pepsis colors are red, white, and blue, these are

also the colors of the American flag. The ad also implies Sofia Vergaras jingoism. Many are
aware that Sofia Vergara is not of American descent, but is of Columbian background. Her red
lipstick and blue clothing pieces shows that by drinking Diet Pepsi, one can become more
Americanized. This ad subliminally reinforces the idea that there is nothing more American than
drinking a can of New Skinny Diet Pepsi. However, this is a contradicting idea because America
is one of the worlds most obese nations. The models entertaining factor seems as if she hosts
entertaining parties as well. This is inviting for the audience because it implies that by drinking
Diet Pepsi, one will be able to attend or host entertaining parties like Sofia Vergara does. Her life
as a celebrity is filled with parties and events that most of society does not regularly attend. By
knowing that the model is Sofia Vergara and knowing the level of her fame in Hollywood today,
one would be inclined to be directed to the idea that drinking Diet Pepsi can also increase ones
chances of becoming a successful celebrity one day. According to Pepsi, living for now is more
than a mottoit is a never-ending adventure with your name on it (Pepsi). This promotes the
idea that life is more about being adventurous and having an enjoyable time than anything else.
These false notions may mislead the audience, and are detrimental to building confidence in
women and promoting unrealistic situations in society today.
In todays society, desiring an ideal body is coveted, and women are not encouraged to be
confident in her own skin but to strive to be someone else. Even taking a quick glance at
commercials, advertisements, magazines, billboards, and movies may shoot down ones self
esteem. Pepsis advertisement, portraying Sofia Vergara as a beautiful, sophisticated, and
entertaining young woman, misleads many women by implying that drinking its new skinny
can will make it possible for women to become like the model by drinking Diet Pepsi. Although
it may not be blatantly obvious that the ad makers had this intention, factors such as the color

scheme of the ad, the positioning of the sun hat, and the red color of the models lipstick all
direct to the resemblance of tying in the overall scheme and idea of promoting Pepsis products.

Works Cited
About. Pepsi. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2014. <http://www.pepsi.com/en-us/about>.
Scherker, Amanda. 7 Ways The Beauty Industry Convinced Women That They Werent Good
Enough. The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 29 Apr. 2014. Web. 19 Oct.
2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/29/beauty-industrywomen_n_5127078.
html>.

Chocolat Analysis
As part of human nature, we are inclined to satiate our natural desires whether it may be
hunger, the need for attention and significance, or the desire to love and be loved, we
subconsciously seek to fulfill our hierarchy of needs. Today, much of society, the media, and the
world around us promote the idea that ones sensuality defines a person. In Lasse Hallstrms
movie, Chocolat, Vianne and her daughter open a chocolate shop in a small French village that
shakes up the rigid morality of the community. Although Hallstrm and other figures in society
today may argue that satiating desires for satisfaction, pleasure, and sufficiency may promote
individualism and results in a less strict and more easy going lifestyle, I disagree. I believe that
refraining from desires encourages one to build up moral standings and patience, whereas rashly
indulging in desires dulls ones compass of discernment and discourages one to build up
honorable virtues. In acknowledging both spheres of the movie, Chocolat promotes the idea
that indulging in desires leads to ones internal liberation from moral rigidity and remaining in
moral conformity stagnates human flourishing; these false statements are challenged by outside
factors from the movie that deviate from the movies implied message.
In Lasse Halstrms movie, Chocolat, chocolate itself becomes the key weapon in the
battle of sensual pleasure and self-denial. In a small French Catholic dominant village, a
mysterious woman named Vianne and her daughter move in one day. Shortly after the beginning
of lent, when the townspeople are supposed to be abstaining from worldly pleasures, Vianne
temps them with delicious chocolate creations. Chocolat delivers the false notion that
indulging in desires allows one to feel freedom from bondage of sensuality in a suffocating
world. Vianne Rocher, a kind and hopeful newcomer to the small French village, is an anomaly
to the town. She doesnt succumb to the villages religious norm of attending church, where

children do not even know what the word atheist means. Instead, Vianne opens up a
Chocolaterie in the place of a Patisserie, which is a deviation from the norm of owning a bakery.
Upon offering his chocolate to customers, villagers, and new friends in the town, Vianne refers to
her delicacies as having the power to unlock hidden yearnings. In the scope of the movies
portrayal, satiating hidden desires such as Luke, a young boy who is excessively sheltered by his
mother, wanting to eat sweets, and Josephine, a wife pressured to remain in her abusive
marriage, wanting to leave her husband are good things. Throughout the movie, Josephines dull
hair and drab outfits slowly transform into a brighter collection of apparels and appearance as
she heals her internal issues. These unconventional transformations support the movies claim
that indulging in desires frees one from feeling trapped. Internal, as well as external
transformations show the definite but superficial fixes to problems that have deeper roots. The
movie simply poses the problem of not trying to fix the underlying foundational issue of the
problem but instead trying to cover it up.
In 2009, Tiger Woods, the infamous American golf player, was caught engaging in
multiple relationships outside his marriage. This caused an eruption of media shedding light on
Woods mistake, caused his marriage to fall apart, and several companies ending their
endorsement deal with Woods. Because Tiger Woods indulged in his fleshly desire of falling into
sexual temptation, the outcome was treacherous. His judgments became clouded and he was
looked down upon by the public eye. In 1998, former president Bill Clinton was impeached from
his presidential position due to the Lewinksy scandal; by indulging in his sensual desires, it lead
to the fall of his career, familial relationships, and public respect. Even these public figures, who
were looked up to by many, prove that indulging in desires does not ensure freedom from rules.

Interpreting the movie Chocolat in its entirety, Lasse Hallstrm may argue, and one
may even think that satiating human desires will not be as detrimental as it may seem. However
Armande eventually causes her own death by not being weary of her health conditions and
indulging in sweets that allowed her blood sugar levels to soar. In the movie, chocolate is
symbolized as a catalyst for change. It has the ability to elevate a couples sex life, transforms a
bitter and guarded lonely womans life into one filled with laughter and emotional intimacy, and
chocolate is illustrated as having the ability to rekindle broken relationships. Like many things in
life, enjoying a little bit of something that leaves you wanting more is good. However, minimal
evidences in the movie as well as countless external factors prove that indulging in fleshly
desires and having freedom from morals is not a good standing. The brilliant C.S. Lewis, the
author of countless renowned novels, states that a factor that distinguishes man from the other
animals is that he wants to know things and find out what reality is like, simply for the sake
of knowing. He then goes on to say when that desire is completely quenched he has become
something less than human (108). As human beings, our curiosity must never overpower our
actions to the extent of completely quenching a desire. One must have the self-control to refrain
from completely submerging in the lack of morals and entirely satiating human desires that may
lead to ones demise.
Although the fact that indulging in desires leads to ones internal liberation from moral
rigidity is a false claim, the opposite is untrue as well; remaining in moral and religious
conformity does not always stagnate human flourishing. In Chocolat, Comte de Reynaud is the
mayor of the village who ceaselessly seeks to have the town abide by the rules. He despises
unconventional people who cause a shift in everyday patterns and are anomalies to the city. His
stubbornness in falling into temptation and deviating from the rigid norm is portrayed as being a

negative factor in the movie. Caroline, Lukes mother and Armandes daughter, is an up-tight
single mother who raises her son to be as perfect as she pictures him to become. She does not
allow him to indulge in chocolate, play outside with other children, or even engage in a
relationship with his own grandmother. Although the movie portrays these two characters as
being confident in the rigid lifestyle they each carry out, it is evident that there is a spark of
desire in both the Comte and Caroline to deviate from moral rigidity. Upon striving to demolish
Viannes Easter Sunday chocolate presentation, he catches a quick taste of it and drastically
changes. His heart becomes softened, and he falls into complete and utter destruction of his
personal preconceived schema of how everyone in the town should be like. Reflecting upon three
cinematic works in American film history in his essay Liberation Through Sensuality,
Dallas Willard poses an interesting idea stating, mere outward conformity to moral rules
does not make a good life, a good person, or outstanding moral character (155). In the end, both
the Comte and Caroline, who both sought to remain fixed in moral rigidity, break free from their
internal shackles that had refrained them from engaging in furthering relational ties with other
townspeople. This further proves that living in a life that suppresses wants does not always result
in desired or expected outcomes as well. Through the character development of the Comte,
Hallstrm secondly illustrates the idea that remaining in strict and fixed moral rigidity stagnates
human flourishing. The Comtes lack of healthy relationships with any townspeople, his
unspoken separation with his wife, his bitterness towards the lack of conventionalism, and his
recurring schemes to unintentionally negatively influence others shows that remaining in moral
rigidity stagnates one to flourish. The movies claim that not satiating desires and being confined
in a strict schema denies ones ability to thrive.

Two main arguments that are posed in Lasse Hallstrms movie Chocolat are
challenged. The films arguments that fully quenching desires allows one to break free from
rigidity and its counterpoising idea that remaining in rigidity with a subconscious desire to
deviate from internal shackles speak false claims. However, I believe that neither point is true in
its entirety. Like C.S. Lewis said, as humans we must be left always wanting a little more;
complete satiation of needs, wants, and desires does not allow one to flourish and expand in the
limited scope of what may seem to be an unlimited world. On the other hand, conformity to
moral, religious, or ethical rigidity does not always direct one towards the right path. In the daily
journey of finding the balance between these two interposed claims human nature can strive to
not fully conform to either side, but to settle on a middle ground to flourish.

Works Cited
Chapter 8: Liberation Through Sensuality: Cinematic Moral Vision in an Age of Feeling.
Willard, Dallas. In Faith, Film, and Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen,
by Geivett,

Douglas; Spiegel, James S (eds). pp. 141-156. Intervarsity Press (US), 2007. (16

pages).

Man or Rabbit? In God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics, by Lewis, C
S; pp. 1081972

113. W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Rightsholder CS Lewis Company Ltd,

(6 pages).

Beauty and the Beast Love Analysis

As human nature, we seek to satiate our natural desires to love and to be loved. In todays
popular American culture, love is often times seen as a tangible, exchangeable object that doesnt
require commitment, dedication, and sacrifice. However, I believe that we must treasure and
value what love truly is. In one of Disneys classic films, Beauty and the Beast, a young
lady named Belle unexpectedly falls in love with the Beast in the midst of unimaginable
circumstances and breaks a magic spell by showing what true love means. Beauty and the
Beast argues that romantic love is sacrificial, hopeful, and rewarding; the movie correctly
portrays the elements of love through character dimension, interaction, and relation, and even
tackles to argue against the opposing side by correctly depicting what love should not be like
forceful, ruthless, and threatening.
This classic animation begins with a French prince who rejects to shelter a beautiful
enchantress disguised as a beggar. Upon this, the enchantress puts a spell upon the prince and
transforms him into a beast. If the Beast learns to love another and receives the others love in
return the curse will be broken. In a nearby village, there lives a young peasant woman named
Belle and her father Maurice. There, she is the object of unwanted attention from the local
hunter, Gaston, whom Belle perceives as an egomaniac barbarian. On his way to the fair with his
invention, Maurice loses his horse and ends up at the mysterious castle. Enraged, the Beast locks
up Maurice in a dungeon. Belle, who worries when her fathers horse returns home without him,

decides to seek out her father and ends up at the castle where she offers herself in exchange for
her fathers life. Maurice returns to the village where he asks the villagers to help him rescue
Belle and becomes the laughing stock of the town. Meanwhile, Gaston thinks of a plan to get
Belle to marry him. At the castle, Belle attempts to keep her distance from the Beast at first but
the two soon grow amiability towards each other. Jealous and angry, Gaston creates a mob in the
village to try to kill the Beast. At the verge of dying at the hands of Gaston, the Beast sees Belle
calling out to him and the Beast regains his will to fight Gaston. Gaston eventually stabs the
Beast but loses his balance and falls to the bottom of the castle. Just as the Beast is about to take
his last breath and before the last petal falls from the rose, the spell upon him is broken. The
Beast, brought back to life lives happily ever after with Belle.
Belle is able to look past the physical appearance and see through to the Beasts heart. In
actuality, one may not always be attracted to someone or something that has the appearance of
the Beast. This tackles the real world problem of placing such extreme and high value on
physical appearances. Society displays the reasoning that one should continuously seek the value
of looks first instead of looking at ones heart, which truly matters. True love for Belle softens
the Beasts heart, as he understands what it means to love and to be loved. By societys
standards, Gaston may have the physical qualities of the ideal person, but Belle looks past and
sees his ugly heart unlike the other women of the village.
The film correctly and thoroughly reflects the idea that love should not be ruthless and
forceful. Although the overarching theme of love encompasses that of Belle and the Beast,
Gastons ruthless attempt to receive her superficial love lingers throughout the entire film. Greg
Jessen, the author of the essay Defining Love through the Eye of the Lens, believes that
the immediate issueis whether we can choose whom we love, but the ultimate reason is

whether reason, evidence and objective values such as goodness and selflessness have anything
to do with that choice (Jessen 54). Gaston believes that he can immediately make Belle fall in
love and marry him without rationale. When proposing to Belle, he speaks of [his] little wife
massaging [his] feet, while the little ones play on the floor with the dogs (Beauty and the
Beast). His words heavy with sexist, narcissistic, rude claims and showing a clear
demonstration of the lack of genuine love, Gaston is brutally rejected by Belle. The film shows a
balance in its portrayals by even illustrating what love should not be like. Gaston and Belles
relationship or lack thereof demonstrates the unwholesomeness, lack of reason, and rashness
in his actions. This proves to be a clear and insightful counterbalance to the other side of love the
movie portrays.
Beauty and the Beast poses the question: can we choose whom we love? The film
answers this question with a resounding yes. This question provokes me to think about what
society values and what I value myself. Gaston thinks that he truly loves Belle, but in actuality
he does not love her at all. One does not simply say I want to love that person and the feelings
are immediately reciprocated. Love, over time, is mutually generated after knowing the ups and
downs, the good and bad of someone; reciprocated or not, love does not occur at first site. Belle
and the Beasts relationship is clearly evident that although they did not have love at first, there
were feelings that were generated and reciprocated as they saw the sacrifice, hope, and reward in
building up their relationship.
True romantic love is sacrificial in desires what would be best for the other. His heart
hardened from years of solitude, the Beast is enraged to find other humans who have entered his
castle. Upon imprisoning Belles father, Maurice, the Beast sees an action of true love as Belle
offers herself in exchange for her fathers life, against Maurices wishes, giving her word to

remain in the castle forever. This sacrificial action stems entirely from true love, which the Beast
has been kept astray from. Belle and the Beasts first sign of sacrificial love is shown when the
Beast fights off the wolves to save Belles life. Grateful, Belle tends to his wounds and thanks
him for saving her life. The Beast knows how to love others and sacrifice himself for someone
else because he has seen that through Belle. I know how I should love because Jesus Christ
shows me the ultimate form of love as he died on the cross. Often times, we are incapable of
doing, showing, or feeling something that we are kept and sheltered from. At this first sign of
sacrificial love, Belles hardened feelings for the Beast softens as the relationship escalades to its
climax with an elegant dinner and ballroom dance.
As hardened hearts soften, true love is one that still remains after seeing the flaws and
faults of someone but continuously choosing to love. In weighing the good and bad, the choice
to unceasingly love someone because the positive qualities outweigh the negative ones is the
foundation for building a solid relationship, according to author, Carolyn price (Price 225).
Belle chooses to love the Beast despite his hardened heart and enraged personality because she
sees past his flaws and accepts his better self. This prompts her to return to the castle in an
attempt to save the Beasts life, as he did for her once before. Love is not only sacrificial, but it is
hopeful. Reciprocated love makes the existing feeling of amiability even stronger as it fuels the
fire of the relationship. Discouraged from losing Belle and unwilling to fight off Gaston, the
Beast immediately regains his strength to fight for his life as he sees Belle returning to the castle.
Seeing Belle gives the Beast a sense of hope to fight for a chance to pursue a further relationship
with Belle. Genuine love, a strong standing sign of hope, is not a mere feeling; rather, it is the
expression of ones complete character (Jessen 61). Belle returning to the castle not only shows

hope in her love for the Beast but the Beasts hope to win Belle back, love her, and break the
curse upon him gives him strength to fight Gaston back.
According to Jessen, love is the sole sentiment known to mankind that causes the
greatest joys, or creates the deepest pains (54). Knowing this, what prompts so many to seek to
love and to be loved? Knowing the great reward in investing in love entices many and
encourages human nature to strive for this. Not only does the Beast know the great reward in
breaking the spell after learning to love and have it reciprocated, but also begins to understand an
even greater reward in sharing the love with Belle. I believe that this reward of knowing the joys
that come with such an investment of feelings, emotions, time, strength, and energy outweighs
the pains that may come with this. What makes this classic, timeless film enticing is that this
great reward is dramatically shown as the Beast, brought back to life, is reverted to his human
form, unrecognizable until Belle looks into his blue eyes. The reward in the result of living
happily ever after is also shown in the ending.
The Beauty and the Beasts timeless message in promoting the idea that romantic
love should be sacrificial, hopeful, and rewarding allows the viewers to connect the movie to
real-life occurrences. Not only does the films message about love resonate to people and inspire
many, but its accurate deliverance on what love should not be like entices people as well. In a
society today where the true essence of love is disregarded and exchanged for something that is
of lesser value and superficial, Disneys classic film thoroughly shows what it really means to
strive to satiate our natural human desires to love and to be loved.

Works Cited
Chapter 3: Defining Love Through the Eye of the Lens: Romance, Sex, and the Human
Condition in Pretty Woman, Legends of the Fall, and The Bridges of Madison County.
Jessen, Greg. In Faith, Film, and Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen, by
Geivett,

Douglas, Spiegel, James S (eds). pp. 52-68. Intervarsity Press (US), 2007. (16

pages)

Price, Carolyn. What is the Point of Love? International Journal of Philosophical

Studies 20.2

(2012): 217-37. Web.