Journal 12 – Jingxuan Zhang

One meme that I could close-read is the “distracted boyfriend” meme, which features a stock photo of a man looking at another woman while his girlfriend looks on in disbelief. The meme often uses the photo to make humorous or satirical observations about different situations or scenarios.

One possible way of close-reading this meme would be to analyze the ways in which it engages with the issue of fidelity and monogamy. The image of the man looking at another woman suggests that he is being unfaithful or disloyal to his girlfriend, which is a common theme in discussions of monogamous relationships. The shocked expression on the girlfriend’s face could be seen as a commentary on the difficulties and challenges of maintaining a monogamous relationship, particularly in a society that often celebrates sexual freedom and variety.

Additionally, the meme could also be read as a commentary on the nature of attraction and desire. The man’s gaze is fixed on the other woman, suggesting that he is drawn to her in some way. This could be interpreted as a critique of the idea that monogamous relationships are inherently natural or desirable, and instead suggest that human beings are wired to be attracted to multiple partners.

Overall, the “distracted boyfriend” meme is a humorous and versatile way of commenting on a range of issues related to relationships, attraction, and fidelity. It uses a simple and easily recognizable image to make complex and thought-provoking observations about human behavior and interactions.

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