"transcending perceived distinctions..."

As Geoffrey Sirc discusses "transcending perceived distinctions of age, gender, rave, and ethnicity, and emphasizing rich verbal and visual style," I first thought about the literature test for the comprehensive exam (138). In particular, I first wondered how visual rhetoric could blur the distinctions. Next I thought that Sirc might mean something completely different than that. he might mean that there are clear distinctions that should not be overcome. I don't know...