Lasswell's Model of Communication Analysis:

Historical Context:
● The ad is from the Victorian period (19th century), aligning with the introduction
of Pears Soap in 1807.
● The Victorian era was marked by strict social norms and an emphasis on propriety
and cleanliness.
Sender:
● The sender is likely Lever Brothers, the company behind Pears Soap.
Message:
 ● The message emphasizes the connection between using Pears Soap and achieving
flawless and fair skin, aligning with societal standards of beauty for young girls.
Channel:
● The medium is print advertising, specifically in magazines, common during the
Victorian era.
Receiver:
● The target audience is Victorian-era mothers or caregivers, conforming to societal
expectations of grooming and cleanliness for their daughters.
Visual Techniques:
● The black and white image of the young girl, her attire, and the doll contribute to
an image of innocence and purity, resonating with Victorian ideals.
● "PEARS SOAP" in bold serves as a visual focal point, and the scarcity note adds
a sense of urgency and exclusivity.
Advertising Techniques:
● Emotional appeal is evident, connecting the use of Pears Soap with societal
approval and the anticipation of a happy and beautiful experience for the child.
● The mention of compliments suggests social validation and peer approval, which
would be important in Victorian society.
Success in Reaching the Intended Receiver:
● Given the historical context, the ad was likely successful in reaching its target
audience through magazines, a prevalent medium during the Victorian era.
Purpose:
● The purpose is to persuade Victorian-era mothers to use Pears Soap for their
daughters, aligning cleanliness with societal standards of beauty.
AIDA(S) Model:
● Attention: Captures attention through the image of the well-dressed child,
aligning with Victorian ideals of proper attire.
● Interest: Generates interest by emphasizing the connection between Pears Soap
and achieving societal beauty standards.
● Desire: Creates desire by associating the product with compliments and societal
approval, crucial in Victorian society.
● Action: Encourages action through the expression of scarcity, creating urgency to
obtain the soap.

Layout:

● Elements are arranged to guide the viewer's focus towards the central message
and the product name, adhering to Victorian design principles.
Images:
● The image of the young girl, her attire, and the doll contribute to the narrative of
grooming and beauty, reflecting Victorian societal values.
 ● The characters are the young girl and the doll, representing innocence and
companionship.
● The Pears Soap logo may be present, emphasizing the brand.
Language:
● Language emphasizes the anticipation of the girl, the mother's advice, and the
product's role in achieving flawless skin, reflecting Victorian notions of proper
upbringing.

Connection to the Picture of Dorian Grey:

Beauty Standards: Both the ad and the novel touch upon societal beauty standards. In the
ad, Pears Soap is presented as a means to achieve flawless and fair skin, aligning with
societal expectations of beauty for young girls in the Victorian era. In "Dorian Gray," the
protagonist's obsession with maintaining eternal youth and beauty reflects a similar
societal pressure.
Influence of Society: The ad implies that using Pears Soap will lead to social approval and
compliments for the young girl. Similarly, Dorian Gray's choices in the novel are
influenced by societal expectations and the desire for external validation.
Visual Aesthetics: The Victorian ideals of beauty and aesthetics are reflected in both the ad
and the novel. The ad presents an image of a well-dressed and groomed child, adhering to
Victorian standards. In "Dorian Gray," the characters are often preoccupied with external
appearances and the pursuit of beauty.