Bob we trust

Task 6: 

You will create an essay:

You will analyse the media language and media representation of the xxx issue of the Big Issue “In Bob we trust” .  

To what extent does the Magazine diverge from mainstream/rightwing depictions of the poor/homeless.

  Why is the magazines remit an important factor in the way the magazine represents homelessness?  

Discuss the social and political context of homelessness…Discuss the impact of homelessness in Britain today from your research.

The Big issue is a magazine designed for the homeless,this is an individual charity who offers those suffering of poverty to have the opportunity of gaining their own money.The magazine original cost is £1.25 being sold at £2.50 thus means each homeless are working instead of begging.
Bob helped James change his live as he used to struggle with his addiction,Bob symbolises "hope" as he helped James turn his life around.His life as an heroin addict was hard as he was very self -centred and narrow minded,James allowed Bob into his life as the cat was starving and injured. The cats treatment cost £28 which was the "last amount of money"he had,"I didn't feel it was too much to help something in need.This was the beginning of him becoming a better person as he had remorse over the cat thus decided to look after him.The sans serif writing "in bob we trust" is in large capital letters and is yellow to stand out from the background making the main cover line stand out .The tag line "hand up not hand out" this portrays they help the poor by giving them a job to make their lives better,they don't give them money for free but they make them work for it.The use of the lexi "up" conveys they're at a low point in life  and are helping them get out of it.
The cat was there for him like James was for Bob,"in Bob we trust" this has the connotations of Bob being God as he is looked up to and everyone respects him as though he is a sign of having faith and hope.

People were very fascinated in James story as how the cat was able to help him turn his life around,now having a best seller and a film which would have helped James get out of his shelter.Due to having Bob the cat with him he now was able to sell more of the magazines as people wanted to speak to him and that he was no longer "invisible".

The colours of the poster are blues and whites reflecting on the cold atmosphere,the dark blue sky conveys it is nighttime and that the homeless or less fortunate are going to be in the cold at night thus,can lead them to becoming seriously ill or death.The snow in the sky and the lights create a sense of magic and christmas which juxtaposes with the message.The theme looks very christmassy with the snow and the scarf wrapped round Bobs neck, like he is a snowman.The imagery of it being winter and christmas creates a sense of fun being surrounded by friends and family on the annual festival.However,the street cat aware the viewer that not everybody is going to be in the warmth and safe.The concern of the issue is that people and animals like Bob have nobody.The angle of the camera is at eye level with his eyes looking straight into the viewer thus  r creating a sense of sympathy for the isolated pet as this is the main focus,the depth of field has the background blurred to make the cat stand out more in the poster.This is a real imagery as it reflects on how the homeless are going to be in the cold at night,however,the photo is not as gruesome and upsetting as the actual situation.

Due to the representation of poverty and underclass are often portrayed negatively in the media,Shildrick and Macdonald suggest that the poor are underserving of sympathy especially Romanians homeless .This makes it hard for a person like James to get out of poverty and addiction as they lack hope.

The left wing politics support the poor as they believe in social equality and egalitarianism unlike the right wing who opposes socialism and social democracy,having a political system based on a very powerful leader.There has been a increase in immigration and homelessness is slowly decreasing  but the percentages are still very high , due people moving to England, for an example Romanians have had a dimmed view through the right wing as they believe they're taking from the state.
This poster tries to get others to help by buying the magazine,having the cat as the front cover allows others to feel sympathy and the publicity as the cat is known through the book and film.The poster allows the reader to see a positive review on the homeless as they're trying to get their life's together.
The impact of homelessness in Britain can led them to turn to drugs as they want a moment to escape their society.Those who are living on the streets are more likely to have long term physical health issues and mental health issues.This makes it very hard for them to get into,as only 6% of homeless get jobs .