Journal Entry #11

I think there are a lot of cigarette advertisements that are interesting to write about, so once again I tried searching the web for one. I was expecting something a bit different, but this came up and I decided to choose it because I think it definitely contains a myth. The connotative value of this advertisement is a man by himself out in nature. He is taking a break from his bike ride so he can enjoy a cigarette. The denotative value of this advertisement is that not only is he a man, but a rugged, wilderness-exploring man. Also, rugged, wilderness-exploring men smoke Camel cigarettes. I think this is a myth because one does not achieve this lifestyle just by smoking a certain brand of cigarettes. However, it is like the advertisement is saying “you can be like this man too if you choose Camel”. I am not exactly certain that this advertisement works for men, because I am not one, plus cigarettes don’t really appeal to me at all, regardless of how it is being advertised. Personally I think companies should avoid advertisements like this, because obviously you can’t transform into a completely different person just by choosing one brand over another.