Formation-Media Language

Costume

• Antebellum dresses- reference slavery, contrasts heavily with stereotypical pop signifiers such as revealing costumes in the dance scenes

Binary oppositions

• Black vs White-video emphasises black identity and culture, contrasting it with historical and contemporary white dominance

• Empowerment vs objectification-Beyoncé portrays herself as a strong, empowered woman while also being subjected to sexual objectification through certain scenes and costumes

• Strength vs vulnerability- The video juxtaposes moment of beyonce assertiveness and power with scenes that show vulnerability and struggle, particularly in reference to hurricane Katrina and police brutality

• Tradition vs modernity-the use of antebellum dresses and traditional southern imagery contrasts with modern dance routines and contemporary fashion

• Celebration vs Mourning-video celebrates black culture and resilience while also mourning the injustice and tragedies faced by the black communities

• Performance shifts from moments of aggression e.g obscure gestures to more recognisable dance routines