In “Run the World (Girls)” Beyoncé appeals to pathos both in
the music itself and in the music video. While most feminist pieces today
appeal to the more negative side of emotions to inflict anger and passion, this
song is upbeat and motivating. The upbeat, repetitive music inspires girls to
feel good about themselves and therefore be more motivated to make a
difference. One major point of the feminist movement is to prove and counteract
the fact that the world is a patriarchy, with men almost always in higher
power. Beyoncé repeats “Who run the world? Girls!” many times throughout the
song to encourage women and show that without girls, the world wouldn’t be like
it is today. Additionally, the music video itself is upbeat and empowering. The
video used camera angles and different special effects to add to the pathos.
Upward camera angles are used to create a feeling of power of Beyoncé and the
group of girls. Special effects such as the giant hyenas on chains also invoke
a feeling of power when Beyoncé is controlling them.
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this really nice post! I think that your observation about tone is important--you're right that appealing to pathos doesn't always mean evoking negative emotions.
What specific "camera angles and different special effects" are you meaning here?
CB
I like your comparison of the appeal to pathos in this song, to the appeal to pathos in other feminist songs. That being said an example of another feminist piece would help visualize the difference between Beyoncé's song and others feminist songs. Besides that I agree that this song strongly appeals to female empowerment, and encourages women to be confident.
ReplyDeleteThe way you related this method of supporting feminism through motivation rather than negativity is very important to the emotional appeal. Because the message is being delivered in a different and frankly happier way, it is easier for the audience to attach emotionally to the song. This then proves to be a more effective way of spreading the message.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Beyonce appeals to pathos in her audience by instilling a sense of pride and confidence in the women listening. I liked how you also brought up the effectiveness of the video at appealing to pathos. I think that the song might also appeal to pathos in men who feel a sense of the strength of women through the song.
ReplyDelete