Intertextual Analysis - The Big Issue

When first looking at the cover, what stands out the most is the use of humour to portray the 4 key politicians involved with the discussed topic of the issue: Brexit.  The clear intertextual link seen across the cover is with the Swedish pop group, Abba. Both the images and the text clearly relate to the band; using this link creates a humiliating and foolish portrayal of these political leaders, as the cheesiness of the band shown around them is not their typical environment.

The bodies that the politicians have been placed on are members of the band, an obvious intertextual link; the bands unique style isn’t a typical outfit to be seen on these members, emphasising the humour/humiliation around the politicians.

The texts, represented as speech bubbles from the politician’s mouths, are lyrics from well-known Abba songs, knowing me, knowing you and take a chance on me. They are ironic to these politicians’ beliefs around the topic; this emphasises the link to the band and further creates a humorous and cheesy representation of the topic.

These politicians are well known to have controversial views on the topic, so representing them this way can portray them and their views to be foolish.

The masthead of the cover - “The winner takes it all” - is another reference to an Abba song, further emphasising the ironic and humorous aspect of the cover.

Overall the use of referencing the band Abba is a successful way to generate irony and humiliation around these key politicians. Posing them in ridiculous clothes is an easy way to humiliate them and comparing their views to universally cheesy pop groups lyrics creates an ironic and foolish representation of them. The big issue manages to make comedy of this very controversial event and also emphasises their view on the absurdness of these politicians.

This use of intertextuality is an easy way to create irony especially. The big issue has used Abba here to simply embarrass the subjects and gain a mass audience, as Abba is an incredibly well known band.