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| {Video} |
Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste
(aired December 2012)
“He could be the one:
Soul mate,
husband,
loving father to your children.
But first,
you've gotta get him to say 'Hello.'
New Crest 3D White
Arctic Fresh toothpaste:
Use it with these
3D White products
And whiten your
teeth in just 2 days.
What will a 3D
White smile do for you?
New Crest 3D White
toothpaste:
Life opens up when
you do.”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Pretty girl.
… you could be lovely.
Handsome boy.
… she's almost yours.
Girl – have a strong, kind husband.
Boy – have your choice of whores.
Leathery woman – your skin could age
backwards.
Gutty man – your prick could
hold a flag.
Let us suck out the liquid that
weighs you down
And inject a fresh improvement – no
lags.
You'll be perfect.
Don't even think – let us show you:
With a tool,
a mantra,
a pill we've invented –
for humans
are so flighty, desirous
as-is,
And always
(tired flocks)
discontented.
I think that this poem addresses the fact that humans are never satisfied with their appearance and are always looking for something to make them more appealing or stand out over others, such as whitening toothpaste. When the speaker notes that the use of Crest toothpaste will cause its users to “Be perfect. Don’t even think -- let us show you: With a tool, a mantra, a pill we’ve invented” this reveals that the commercial knows that viewers will be sucked into the product if the product is supposed to make them more attractive. However, appearance is artificial, as opposed to personality; this shows that humans often prioritize looks over personality which is why beauty products sell so successfully.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I think that this poem makes it seem that women are the ones who have to try harder to impress men. Beauty products such as makeup are targeted more towards females, as it is a societal norm that women are the ones who have to try to impress men with their dazzling looks. Women have to appear glamorous or else they will fail to find a suitor when competing against the females who utilize beauty products. If women already use beauty products, then whitening toothpaste will further add to their pretty appearance. It is evident that women are expected to appear beautiful for men, while men simply sell their personality. For example, when the speaker describes the norms that society has imposed on individuals he notes that a girl should “have a strong, kind husband.” However, when the speaker conveys the mindset of a man, the man should “have your choice of whores.” I believe that these lines help to convey the meaning that the appearance of a woman to a man is much more important than personality, which is ultimately a flaw in society.
I think there is definitely a connection with society’s beauty standards and tendency towards commercialism. The poem reveals the human obsession with appearance and beauty because it entices us with “You’ll be perfect” and “your skin could age backwards”. I think it’s interesting to note the words “flighty” and “tired flocks” at the end of the poem because they brought birds to my mind‒another species that is concerned with appearance when it comes to mating. I agree that the majority of beauty standards are placed on women, as they are expected to look a certain way because thousands of commercials engrain images of white teeth, silky hair, and toned bodies into our mind. Our economy aims to capitalize on existing notions of being beautiful, and they do this by tapping into our “desirous” trait as a species. Commercials are therefore a double threat because they cater to numerous people longing to morph into these beauty standards while also offering something to possess. Not only will you own a new toothpaste, but you will get a soulmate and husband, too. As the last line states, we are always discontented, whether it be about wealth, items, or appearances. We are very materialistic, overall, and commercials take advantage of this pretty well.
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