"Katie's Marriage Torture"

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are one of Hollywood’s most infamous celebrity couples. Since the beginning of their relationship, the public has been quick to jump to conclusions and make assessments based on the couple’s never-ending media coverage. The article, “Katie’s Marriage Torture,” is yet another gossip column that feeds the hungry curiosities of those who feel the need to keep up with Hollywood culture. Throughout the article we see informed quotes made by “a source” or “the insider” that seem to know a lot of private information about Tom and Katie’s lives. These references to unnamed individuals give the article a serious lack of ethos. People who chose to read articles such as this one are most likely gossip addicts who are quick to believe an unreliable source or outrageous claim.

One thing this article does have is kairos. Tom and Katie have both been involved in projects lately that are creating media hype. Tom has recently been added to the list of actors included in the movie “Rock of Ages,” and Katie recently portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in the show, “The Kennedys.” More buzz has circled around Katie’s show due to the fact it failed to ever be shown on TV. This article explains that the failure of the show is due much in part to the struggling marriage between Katie and Tom. “Katie’s Marriage Torture” is making an argument that many of the misfortunes that Katie has recently experiences can be blamed on her choice to become involved with Tom Cruise. The article goes on to talk about how Katie is living a “miserable life,” and wishes to be single again. Katie’s fans may be horrified after reading this article due to all the accusations that Tom is “controlling” and Katie is “loosing weight.”

These allegations can be upheld by the images that the magazine posted along with the text. A large picture of Katie Holmes wearing baggy clothing and dawning a look of sadness can be seen in the middle of the article. Another small picture of Tom Cruise looking stern and as though he might be yelling can be seen in the upper right hand corner, right under the word “Torture” in the title. The pictures and text work together to not only give you frightful words, but also show you that the people involved are actually wearing the accusations right on their faces. The magazine chose to only include pictures of Katie Holmes looking sad or angry and dressed in unfashionable clothing. This gives the illusion that Katie is never happy and chooses to walk around looking messy rather than dolling herself up before going out in public.

Another image that catches the reader’s eye is the word “Torture” in the article’s title. Not only is the word typed in a darker color than the rest of the title, but it is also the only word underlined. The article also has chosen certain quotes throughout the text to enlarge and have stand alone in order to give the reader a main idea in case they just decide to look at the pictures instead of reading the whole article.

Overall, Katie Holmes looks as though she is on the last string of her already troubled marriage. It seems her career will only go steeper downhill the longer she stays with Tom. The article only mentions the downsides of Tom and Katie’s marriage, but then quickly adds in the last sentence that “Despite it all, they really do want the marriage to work out.” Kind of contradictory to all the information they just talked about, huh?

"Katie's Marriage Torture." National Enquirer 14 Mar. 2011. Print.