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The following is the tenth in a series of essays written in response to the media analysis assignment described in the January 28, 2000 article on this topic page. Colorado State University student Josh Pfifer analyzes Home Improvement's response to cultural messages about masculinity.
Boom! Jill suddenly leaps out of the way to dodge flying rubble while swiping smoke from her face in order to breathe. Tim the tool-man Taylor is at it again. Trying to find some way to spice up the home appliances. This time it is the pre-functioning dishwasher. Many men are guilty of such acts like these that occur in Home Improvement. In America today, men are not necessarily showing their dominance in the form of brute strength and bulging muscles, but rather in fashioning or obtaining bigger and better more powerful things. These things can range anywhere from a bigger truck or faster car to a higher caliber gun or more potent drill motor. When achieving these things, it does not mean that they are automatically king of the world, but it gives them a feeling of power. For instance, sharing the idea that they installed a better motor in something is not always necessary. When Tim installed the new motor in the dishwasher, he did not go around telling everybody. It just made him feel bigger inside. In this case, he was almost trying to hide the news from Jill, until the last possible moment, which she found out in the least pleasant of ways by having the appliance blow up right in front of her. Evidence of this cultural condition is seen in a variety of places. A friend of mine uses a 338-caliber gun to hunt bears when a 270 or 30-06 would suffice just fine. He just likes the thought of having some major knockdown power. In another occasion, you will often hear it in the garage or at work. Lets put a lift kit on that truck of yours, drop a 460 engine in her, and throw on some 35-inch super swamper tires. That will really make her look like a beast. Supplies for these types of modifications are not hard to be found. Four-Wheeler magazine has just about every lift kit and mud tire available on the market, not to mention a variety of photos of monster trucks and jeeps that have been altered to withstand the toughest terrain. It is very evident that this hobby is becoming the rage by simply paging through this well-known magazine. Trucks like these are seen roaring down the streets more and more, not to mention all of the classics like the old Mustangs and Chevy's. Tim's hot rod is no exception. He has spent countless hours in the garage with some help from his sons to restore his prized possession. He often likes to go out in the garage and fire up the engine just to listen to its thunder. Once satisfied, he re-enters the house with a loud grunt, which is then heard and repeated by his three sons. They are following in their father's footsteps.
The copyright of the article Critical Media Analysis of "Home Improvement" in Media Literacy is owned by Kim Imdieke. Permission to republish Critical Media Analysis of "Home Improvement" in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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