15 mark question

Analyse why The Big Issue magazine has used an intertextual approach on its front cover.

Within my essay, I’m going to explore the use of intertextuality in The Big Issue front cover, and evaluate how useful and advantageous the meaning of this intertextual reference is. The cover I am going to analyse is The Big Issue ‘Education Special’, which predominantly embeds intertextuality through the use of images and texts as, a way to generate distinctive meanings surrounding the British Education System. The 3 main intertextual references I am going to talk about in depth are Grange Hill, Harry Potter, and the iconic hammer aesthetics by a British band named Pink Floyd.

At the first glance, the audience can be seen visually driven by the aesthetics of the cover, which mimic the exterior of Grange Hill. Grange Hill is a show, which deal with typical school-related issues like bullying, learning difficulties, teacher-pupil relationships and conflicts etc. The fact that the context of the show covers content like this can show how the British education system in non-conformative as, these issues paint an undesirable representation of the British education system. The British education system can be seen too obsessed with academic achievement rather than personal issues, which can be seen as a major flaw in expecting positive results from students. The cover line ‘What are school for’ can reinforce this point as, the cover almost makes the audience question whether the pre-existing education system is fulfilling its purpose to teach as well as providing a welcoming environment to teach in. The rhetorical question ‘Does Finland have the answer?’ can compare and contrast as Finland having a better educational system as, students start school at the age of 7 and don’t need to frequently take assessments until the age of 16. Finland can be seen embracing the natural process of student learning, while the British education system can be constantly stressing students to compete and perform in a national level.

The second intertextual reference can be widely drawn by featuring established, fictional characters e.g. Harry Potter, Ron Weasly, and Hermione Granger, who appear in one of KJ Rowling’s novel.  The Big Issue can be seen implementing signature traits, which are found within the film e.g. the robe, magic wand, and glasses etc. Rowling can be seen constructing an optimistic, care-free environment of their education system as Harry and his friends are seen learning magic, riding on broomsticks, and using their superpowers etc. The endless creativity of their magic allows student to explore and find fun within the place of their education. Through their facial expressions, Harry can be seen jovial and happy, while placing his hands around his friends implying how friendship has developed, as well as happiness from their education system.  The Big Issue might have intentionally placed Harry Potter’s example in the front cover, as a clear contradiction to the British education system in which the audience should be prompt to question and challenge.

The final intertextual reference, which is apparent through the front cover, is the presence of the iconic marching hammers aesthetic, situated at the bottom-right. The hammers can be seen taken from Pink Floyd’s song entitled ‘another brick in the wall’, which portrays the lives of students in an oppressive educational institution. The hammers can also hold distinctive connotations as well, as hammers are utilised as tools to build and destroy materials. Here Floyd can be insinuating how the education system needs to be destroyed and re-build for the betterment of the student’s education.  The hammer can almost be a symbolic representation of tyranny as; the hammer can be shielding the students, which are part of that education system. The lyric we don't need no education", is actually a satirical statement to "We need education”. The students can be seen talking about the kind of education they are given, as they believe they have to conform to specific behaviour patterns, instead of being their individual selves. Their education system can be seen all about constructing clones, while restricting student’s freedom. This can be seen through the student’s synchronised, robotic actions, which shows all the students as replicas of each other.

In conclusion, I believe the idea of implementing intertextuality within ‘The Big Issue’ cover can be seen beneficial as, the audience can see the plight of the British Education System in contrast to the Harry potter, and Finland’s example. The idea of implementing established people within the front cover can be seen significant as, it can show that no matter where you go to be educated (e.g. Benedict Cumberbatch got educated in Cambridge) the British education system can still be seen flawed, which the audience should question. The big issue can be seen realistically aiding parents to question the education system if children don’t speak on that behalf.