Small space given to the article on the front cover In the lead introduction paragraph on the front cover, the
represents the issue of politics and Brexit to be less phrase ‘humiliating defeat’ has been used. Describing
important to the paper and its readers than other DAILY MIRROR - something as humiliating is way of embarrassing Theresa
articles on the cover such as gambling, sport, TV. May, making her seem as though she should be ashamed
Brexit only takes up one-third of the cover REPRESENTATION of what she has done
Small image of Theresa May on the cover makes her The introduction paragraph describes her authority as being
seem insignificant and powerless, reflecting Theresa May has not been sexualised
on the cover, unlike other tabloid ‘in tatters’. This emotive language makes it seem like her
representations of gender stereotypes of women being power has been ripped apart. This makes the issue seem
represented as weaker, less important, vulnerable and newspapers in the past. This challenges
Van Zoonen’s theory of representation. dramatic and makes it seem as though she has failed her job
less competent than men. This reflects the Daily
Mirror’s anti-conservative political stance as it is a left- This suggests that the editors of the
wing paper, meaning they are traditionally anti Theresa paper know this is a serious issue
The puff on Eastenders uses the phrase ‘glassed by thug’. This
May and anti-conservative. This also reflects the Daily reflects gender stereotypes about women being victimised.
Mirror’s readership of mostly men, meaning they are Word ‘Mayhem’ is a pub on Theresa However, a negotiated reading could be taken from this
more likely to see women as weaker and less May connoting that she has caused images as her facial expression isn’t scared and it could be
competent, especially if women hold positions of power chaos and is out of control argued she looks quite defiant, suggesting she has not been
victimised
Lots of negative and emotive language on the cover that
represents Theresa May as being a failure. There are The image of Theresa May shows her body language of her
several words such as ‘loses’, ‘surrenders’ and ‘defeat’ head bowed down, suggesting defeat and submission. This
that connote failure, loss and the idea that Theresa May suggests she is upset or annoyed and connotes the idea she is
has not done a good job ashamed or she has failed
There is a large image of Theresa May wearing a red suit on The image of the male jockey represents him to be
the double page. The colour red connotes her power and physically strong. This reflects gender the gender
dominance. The suit is middle to upper-class which fits with stereotype of men being seen as physically strong, skilled
her position of power and her role as prime minister and active
The images of Corbyn and Johnson have
Theresa May’s raised hands suggest a defensive position been positioned to suggest that they are
and lack of control as though she is surrendering staring at May in a confrontational manner.
They are staring and looking down at her in
dismay as their faces are positioned to
The headline ‘A Faller at 2nd’ is a house point towards her and look disapproving of
racing metaphor/allegory suggesting her. this suggests she is not doing a very
early failure. This literally means a good job. This connotes that she is seen as
horse in a horse race has fallen early on. a failure by all political parties, and
The Daily Mirror has used this to therefore has been scrutinised by them,
represent Theresa May as a prime including her own
minister who has failed at the start/early
on in her prime ministerial career. The
Corbyn and Johnson are wearing suits in
animal imagery could also be seen as
dehumanising her as comparing her to a dark colours. This represents them as
serious and professional, thus reflecting
horse connotes complete failure
male stereotypes. This makes them appear
more important and better than Theresa
The article represents MPs in binary May
opposition to the readers, reflecting how
many working-class people feel about
politicians. The ‘us’ vs ‘them’ binary The Daily Mirror openly mocks
opposition is created through the lexis Theresa May in the side column.
‘MPs will vote today to try to stop us In the article, there are several quotes from other MPs about how The lexis ‘a hamster which was
leaving’ Theresa May is losing, in defeat and has caused chaos across the country. trying to claw its way out’ makes
These repeated negative wording throughout the article creates a fun of her. The columnist mocks her
representation of failure and disappointment around Theresa May by making her sound desperate and
ridiculous. The humour appeals to
Another binary opposition is created tabloid readers and the working-
between the MPs at the top of the double class audience
page, versus those at the bottom of the The newspaper has tried to represent the issue as simple, to enable the
page. At the bottom there is ‘Honest readers to understand it. The Daily Mirror is a tabloid, and its readers have
Jason’, who is the Daily Mirror’s betting a relatively low education/reading level. Therefore, blocks of text,
reporter. By labelling him as ‘Honest subheadings, graphics, statistics have been used to help the audience Lexis is used in the article such as
Jason’ it suggests that MPs are not honest. understand by making it visually easier ‘The PM foolishly squandering
This represents the newspaper as what remained of her authority’ and
providing the audience with ‘the truth’. ‘One Tory MP turned up for the poll
He gives the audience an easy to The representations of gender Some audiences might say in a black tie, telling colleagues it
understand betting analogy about might be interpreted in different gender is represented a little was what they wore to the Titanic’,
understanding Brexit. This represents ways by audiences as women in mixed. Perhaps this is because show Theresa May as being
average people as needing a simple the newspaper are not victimised. the Daily Mirror has a reasonably negative and show her as having
understanding and shows them as being Theresa May does look powerful even gender split in their failed in her objective. The
very different to the MPs world. The and strong on the double page, as audience, although slightly male. intertextual reference to the Titanic
audience are not connected with them, are the image takes up a lot of space, These representations might may connote fear that the public
therefore unable to emphasise with which connotes she looks as if suggest they are trying to appeal have towards her and reinforces
Theresa May she has everything under control to a mixed demographic in terms ideas that she has failed
of their gender of the audience
The article talks about how Brexit in general is a shambles, and a difficult situation, reinforced by the lexis ‘I don’t
think this is the end if the deal necessarily’. This suggests maybe the problems aren’t all Theresa May’s fault/blame.
This is an unusual and unconventional representation in the Daily Mirror as they are anti-Conservative
