Black and White vs. High Contrast

January 15, 2014

     As our class learned from the Winterowd reading, the framework for discourse includes both an addresser and an addressee.  Within this framework exist other components that affect the communication between the two: context, message, contact, and code.  Although these components are universal, they can each be manipulated to relay a different message or to address various targeted audiences.  For instance, if we change the code of a message from English to Spanish, those who are not native Spanish speakers will not be able to read and interpret the message and vice versa. 

     Next, let's compare the two images below as another example of rhetorical manipulation.    

     

     Figure 1- Black and White

Figure 2 - High Contrast

     While the images both include a boy eating a watermelon, the background color of the setting has been altered - a change to its code.  In Figure 1, the dim colors of the image convey a more depressive mood.  When a person studies the image, he may suppose that the picture was taken in the late fall or early winter.  In Figure 2, the bright colors elicit giddiness from the onlookers.  They may also think that the picture was taken during the summer time.

   These examples demonstrate to us how changes to a discourse situation can completely alter the context and significance of a particular message.  It shows that communication between the addresser and addressee depend upon alterations of context, code, message, and contact.