The painting American Gothic (AG) by the Iowan Grant Wood depicting farmers in 1930 vs. the photograph Rural Rehabilitation Client (RRC) by the Lithuanian-born New Jerseyan Ben Shahn depicting recipients of a federal aid program in Arkansas in 1935.
Differences: AG looks almost animated while RRC is obviously real. AG pictures a well-dressed older couple who look like they are some-what well off. On the other hand, the younger pair in RRC look exhausted, poor, and almost desperate. The AG clothes are like Sunday Best clothes, while the RRC clothes are everyday work clothes. The AG couple look orderly and under control of their atmosphere, unlike the RRC couple who look untidy, dirty, and who live a chaotic life. In the AG background, a nice white house stands in the middle of the countryside, while the background of the RRC photo is a rudimentary looking cabin.
Similarities: Both couples look sad, even though the RRC ones look even worse. They both live in the country. They both probably work hard, though the RRC pair harder. The women are shorter than the men. Both pictures are black and white, and have the look of disappointment and depression.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Crossing
"Egad, Davy, it seems like a fairy tale. We always said we were going to Kentucky, didn't we? What is the name of the place you are to startle with your learning and calm by your example?"
"Louisville," I answered, laughing, "by the Falls of the Ohio."
"I shall turn up there when Jack Sevier is safe and I have won some more land from Mr. Jackson. We'll have a rare old time together, though I have no doubt you can drink me under the table. Beware of these sober men. Egad, Davy, you need only a woolsack to become a full-fledged judge. And now tell me how fortune has buffeted you."
It was my second night without sleep, for we sat burning candles in Mr. Wright's house until the dawn, making up the time which we had lost away from each other. (This passage is from The Crossing, by Winston Churchill, page 317)
I really like Churchill's characters. I don't always enjoy all his description, but his characters are incredible. They actually have a pattern and are completely different. They are all strong and brave, but some of them are wise, while others have anger problems, or just can't be serious. Nick Temple is probably my favorite character. He is hilarious, a bit hot-headed, and just likes to have fun. He makes the story interesting and enjoyable. I really like Churchill's characters; they make the book.
"Louisville," I answered, laughing, "by the Falls of the Ohio."
"I shall turn up there when Jack Sevier is safe and I have won some more land from Mr. Jackson. We'll have a rare old time together, though I have no doubt you can drink me under the table. Beware of these sober men. Egad, Davy, you need only a woolsack to become a full-fledged judge. And now tell me how fortune has buffeted you."
It was my second night without sleep, for we sat burning candles in Mr. Wright's house until the dawn, making up the time which we had lost away from each other. (This passage is from The Crossing, by Winston Churchill, page 317)
I really like Churchill's characters. I don't always enjoy all his description, but his characters are incredible. They actually have a pattern and are completely different. They are all strong and brave, but some of them are wise, while others have anger problems, or just can't be serious. Nick Temple is probably my favorite character. He is hilarious, a bit hot-headed, and just likes to have fun. He makes the story interesting and enjoyable. I really like Churchill's characters; they make the book.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Crossing
The Colonel stood for a full minute surveying us calmly...
"I have heard from many sources that you are dissatisfied, that you wish to go back to Kentucky. If that be so, I say, 'Go...' We have taken a brave and generous people into the fold of the Republic, and they have shown their patriotism by giving us freely of their money and stores... They have given the last proof of that patriotism this day. Yes, they have come to me and offered to take your places, to finish the campaign which you have so well begun and wish to abandon. To-day I shall enroll their militia under the flag for which you have fought... But if there be any who have faith in me and in the cause for which we have come here, who have the perseverance and the courage to remain, I will reenlist them..." (This passage was taken from The Crossing, by Winston Churchill.)
I really liked this scene. I think the Colonel's character is a real hero. He knows how his troops are feeling and also knows how to encourage them and keep them going. At this point he is almost putting them on a guilt trip. 'You came this far, and you're giving up? How can you do that and call yourself a man?' is the type of attitude he has and I think it is great. The character is intelligent, strategical, and courageous. He walks into a country will thousands of hostile Indians with only 200 guys, half of which are tired of the campaign. He is either an idiot, or extremely brave. I'll go with the latter option.
"I have heard from many sources that you are dissatisfied, that you wish to go back to Kentucky. If that be so, I say, 'Go...' We have taken a brave and generous people into the fold of the Republic, and they have shown their patriotism by giving us freely of their money and stores... They have given the last proof of that patriotism this day. Yes, they have come to me and offered to take your places, to finish the campaign which you have so well begun and wish to abandon. To-day I shall enroll their militia under the flag for which you have fought... But if there be any who have faith in me and in the cause for which we have come here, who have the perseverance and the courage to remain, I will reenlist them..." (This passage was taken from The Crossing, by Winston Churchill.)
I really liked this scene. I think the Colonel's character is a real hero. He knows how his troops are feeling and also knows how to encourage them and keep them going. At this point he is almost putting them on a guilt trip. 'You came this far, and you're giving up? How can you do that and call yourself a man?' is the type of attitude he has and I think it is great. The character is intelligent, strategical, and courageous. He walks into a country will thousands of hostile Indians with only 200 guys, half of which are tired of the campaign. He is either an idiot, or extremely brave. I'll go with the latter option.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Rescuer
Out the window a light flickered in the distance. He stopped and watched. Someone was in the barn.
Stephan hunched his shoulders, his jacket lifted high to protect his head from the pounding hail and rain. Mud clung to his boots. A small river now ran across the yard, covering the walkway... The light, if that was what he had seen, was gone...
He reached the barn as the first lightning flashed and thunder rolled instantaneously overhead. He pulled the door open. A man slammed into him. They tumbled back, hitting the ground with a splash. Stephan grabbed at coarse fabric of the coat smashed into his face and tried to shove the intruder off him. The smell of sweat and desperation clung to the man, and a weight pressed against Stephan's chest trying to keep him down on the ground...
The man was gone...
Stephan wearily pushed himself to his feet. What a way to end a miserable day... (This passage was from Dee Henderson's book, "The Rescuer".)
Since I know what happened during the rest of his day, I can say that it had been miserable. If I had been in his place, I would have said the same thing. I would be upset, standing in the rain, now beat up, and realizing that someone was going through my stuff, looking for something. I would stand at the entrance of the barn, dripping from the violent rain, and look up into the night sky and say something like, "Could this day get any worse?" I sympathize with Stephan. I really do. But, the story only gets better from there.
Stephan hunched his shoulders, his jacket lifted high to protect his head from the pounding hail and rain. Mud clung to his boots. A small river now ran across the yard, covering the walkway... The light, if that was what he had seen, was gone...
He reached the barn as the first lightning flashed and thunder rolled instantaneously overhead. He pulled the door open. A man slammed into him. They tumbled back, hitting the ground with a splash. Stephan grabbed at coarse fabric of the coat smashed into his face and tried to shove the intruder off him. The smell of sweat and desperation clung to the man, and a weight pressed against Stephan's chest trying to keep him down on the ground...
The man was gone...
Stephan wearily pushed himself to his feet. What a way to end a miserable day... (This passage was from Dee Henderson's book, "The Rescuer".)
Since I know what happened during the rest of his day, I can say that it had been miserable. If I had been in his place, I would have said the same thing. I would be upset, standing in the rain, now beat up, and realizing that someone was going through my stuff, looking for something. I would stand at the entrance of the barn, dripping from the violent rain, and look up into the night sky and say something like, "Could this day get any worse?" I sympathize with Stephan. I really do. But, the story only gets better from there.
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