Sociology-Politics of Style

Question 1

What is Ewen trying to understand in regards to the `politics ' of style and what are his

research questions ? Which methods does he use to conduct this analysis

Ewen in his study of style is trying to understand how this came to be of utmost

importance in our society . Obviously , considering himself a scholar and trying to make

an impact on his students , Ewen is perplexed , when after reviewing the impact of the

mass media on our society , the most important question a student can ask him

, is Where

did you get your shoes ' Why does it matter ? This is what Ewen wants to understand

When did style become representative of all that we are ? And how did become tied to

social power . Ewen , although able to recognize the symbols of style in our society

through images on magazines , fashion , interior design , found it difficult to define what

style is , and the universal preoccupation ' with style in this society . Ewen believed that

understanding this preoccupation , would ultimately provide an understanding of this

contemporary culture

Ewen was curious of this notion , that made such an impact on our society , yet

lacked concrete understanding . Style is elusive , yet craved by everyone

This conception of style is both perceptive and confounding . The idea that style

is a way that the human values , structures , and assumptions in a given society are

aesthetically expressed and received is a powerful insight

Ewen found that the concept of style was often determined by current fads or

modes of behavior . Style can be defined by its currency , and also defined by its

consumption . One of the main points of a style is that it will not remain current

Ewen asked his students to write an essay entitled "What Style Means to Me

He established the ground rules

No dictionary definitions

No academic or research s

Draw on your own experiences and feelings about style

Ewen believed that each of their essays would reveal how their definition of style

was essentially part of their history and experience . Every story could be pursued to

reveal many things about the particular individuals and groups that are spoken for : the

way people express themselves , the way they conform , the way they rebel

Ewen found through their essays that their were similarities in that at some point , most of

them equated style with consumption and the power of the mass media to define and

influence popular notions of style

Ewen wants to determine the meaning of the prominence , significance and consumption of style , and how it has come to be a contemporary phenomenon

Ewen is concerned about the ability of the mass media to define style and its ability

to create a way of life

The people we view apparently inhabit a universe of bounty . They wear dresses

costing thousands . They live in castles . Their encounters with interior designers

lead to unrestrained flights of fancy . Their desires , their fantasies their whims are

painlessly translated into objective forms . There are no conflicts...