Rihanna's appearance on the album cover utilizes various codes that represent both feminist and male gaze perspectives. Her revealing outfit, seductive pose, and sultry facial expression conform to the male gaze theory by presenting her as a sexual object for the male viewer's pleasure. However, the bright white lighting makes her look innocent and powerful, resembling a mother figure and conforming to feminist ideals of strength. The prominent use of the color red symbolizes Rihanna's passion and sexuality, appealing to the male gaze.

1. Representation Theory
By Leanne T Pyne-Lowe
12sc2

2. Costume code: Rhianna is wearing a
cropped top which reveals a lot of
flesh, this makes us see rihanna in
the eys of a hetreosexual male which
is the male gaze theory. This is also
for the pleasure of the males.
However it subverts from the
feminist theory as she is not being
shown as the typical housewife but
as a sexy young lady who embraces
her body.
Gesture code: Rihanna’s facial code can be deemed as
sexual as is currently bent over in a seductive manner.
This subverts from the feminist theory because she
doesn't conform to the idea of a housewife or a mother,
but more of a sexual object
Facial code: She is looking into the
camera which is direct address to
the audience. However there is a
slight squint in her eyes which
makes her look sultry. her lips
slightly parted, which makes it look
very inviting and seductive. This
conforms to the male gaze theory
because she is seen as a sexual
object and this is how it would be
viewed by a hetrosexual male.
Lightning: Rihanna is in a very
bright white light which makes her
look innocent this conforms to the
feminist theory because she looks
angelic like a mother also the white
light makes her look powerful as it
is surrounding her as if she is an
important person.
Symbolic Code: Throughout the
cover red is very prominant, this
could mean that rihanna is secually
dangerous or that she is passionate.
Red is a very sexual and loving colour
for example valentine's day. Rihanna
is wearing red lipstick which is very
sexual and seductive this conforms
to the male gaze theory because the
colour red would be seen as sexual
by hetrosexual male.