Instructional Video

An Introduction to Roland Barthes's Mythologies

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Teenagers are the first to agree that they are the frontrunners in popular culture. But how much of their image is constructed by individualism, and how much of it have they bought from capitalistic sources? Roland Barthes's Mythologies posits that political ideologies make their way into popular culture and become mere myths, obscuring and simplifying their original messages. Learn more with a short video analysis of the text that follows the example of a fictional revolutionary who makes his way from the streets to expensive t-shirts.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Prompt small groups to choose another symbol from popular culture and analyze the connection between its reality and its myth
  • Connect between a social studies class and language arts lesson
  • Discuss the possible political figures the video could be referring to in its example 
Classroom Considerations
  • Note that the comment section is open to the public
  • For the full version of the text analysis, refer to the publisher's website
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • Relatable and engaging content
  • Striking animation keeps viewer interest
  • Pupils may want to read the entire book after discussing Barthes's theory
Cons
  • None