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The Shanghai "WING-ON Monthly," established in 1939 and discontinued in 1949, was a cultural and entertainment magazine issued by the WING-ON Department Store. It was the only corporate publication issued by a department store during the Republic of China era, presenting an imagined ideal urban lifestyle in Shanghai. According to the contents of various issues, it can be categorized into "illustrations," "text," and "advertisements." The target audience was the affluent middle class, particularly focusing on female readers. However, the magazine often featured advertisements and content related to children, intending to provide women with an idealized image of motherhood and hints for consumption. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the texts related to women and children in the "WING-ON Monthly," using textual and visual materials primarily from advertisements, supplemented by illustrations and texts. Through interpretation and analysis, it aims to uncover the commercial aspects hidden within this ostensibly comprehensive publication. By referencing the historical context of its publication, it seeks to explore how the "WING-ON Monthly" participated in Shanghai's consumer culture during the isolated period of the 1940s. It also examines how the magazine subtly suggested and guided consumption trends through its combination of text and images, shaping the image of the WING-ON enterprise, establishing beauty standards for women, and promoting female consumption. |