Year 10 – Representing Women

Representations of Julia Gillard

Media Representation Techniques Analysis & Commentary
Metaphor Julia Gillard’s career ambition to become Prime Minister is metaphorically referred to as
an act of murder, suggesting her actions against Kevin Rudd were evil, immoral and
“Gillard knifed Rudd to become PM”
deceptive.
- Janet Albrechtsen
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Declarative Statement Albrechtsen criticises Julia Gillard’s choice to focus on her career through using a strong
“As brilliant as Gillard's achievements are, she is no role model declarative statement that states she is ‘no role model for young girls’. She believes
for girls who want more than a career” Gillard is a failure because she has chosen a career over the more traditional roles of a
- Janet Albrechtsen woman.
Metaphor Ben Pobje criticises Julia Gillard in a similar way to Julia Gillard. He uses a metaphor that
Gibney has a husband and kids, and without wanting to sound
describes Gillard as a ‘monster’ because she does not fulfil the traditional roles of a
too harsh, Gillard’s failure to have either makes her come across
woman in society. According to Pobje, her failure to have a husband makes her appear
as a bit of a sociopathic monster
- Ben Pobjie sociopathic.
Rhetorical questions The accumulation of rhetorical questions in this quote creates a very aggressive tone that
What is wrong with her then? Does she hate men? Does she hate
children? Does she want to suck our blood? Does she have is critical of Gillard. The phrase “suck our blood” metaphorically suggests Gillard is a
petrified wood in her ovaries? vampire who attacks and drains the power of others to boost her own position.
- Ben Pobjie
Declarative statement Brandis is also critical of Gillard’s choice to not be a parent and fulfil the stereotypical and
She has chosen not to be a parent… she is very much a one- traditional role of a mother. He uses a declarative statement to suggest she is a “one-
dimensional person dimensional person” without true feelings or kindness.
- Senator George Brandis
Declarative Statement
Gillard is criticised for having poor values and attitudes toward her role as a woman. The
“I mean anyone who chooses to remain deliberately barren… author builds upon Brandis’ view of Gillard in stating that in choosing not to fulfil the role
they’ve got no idea what life’s about” of a mother she demonstrates no knowledge of what is truly important in life.
- Senator Bill Heffernan
Adjective Gillard is criticised for not fulfilling the stereotype of a beautiful woman who should be
She bungled it with a less than flattering haircut and a frumpy
80’s tapestry print jacket…Get yourself a stylist your own age concerned with her appearance. A negative adjective is used to describe her clothing as
- Anita Quigley “daggy” while her haircut is describe in the phrase “less than flattering”