This picture is a good example of the content times in the migrant labor camps. The theme of this picture, I would say, is exactly that: contentment. I think it shows that there are still good moments in these camps, even though that is not how they are made out to be. Everyone from the little kids, to the men and women, are gathered to watch a play together. Just by looking at the crowd, you can tell that it is a big event. There are even people standing in the back because sitting spots ran out. At this point in time, the kids seemed to be much more thankful for an event like this than it seems that kids nowadays are. The reason for this is probably that back in their time, and even their location, these opportunities were few and far in between. I would say this picture was taken at the end of the day, probably showing an event happening after a day of work for everyone. It also looks like a good family gathering time, so there is still time to keep people in touch and give opportunities for a social life. Looking at their clothes, the migrants seemed to be well dressed - instead of how some imply that they do not have decent clothes. As well as the cleanliness of everyone, showing that the camps were a lot different than some other camps we might be familiar about. You can even see hair accessories and necklaces on some of the people, including hats; they had privileges of dressing the way they preferred instead of being forced to wear certain things. I look at this picture and see that there was hope in this camp, there was faith in the future and happiness in the present!
Danielle Thompson
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI think the theme you chose for this photo and how you described it is very accurate. I like how you brought up the fact that not only did people seem to not take for granted going to an event such as this one like people nowadays might, but these people also seemed to be well dressed. When I first looked at this photo I did not notice that aspect of it, which put this photo into a new perspective for me during that time period. We often associate this time period with people only having the clothes on their backs, and not ever being able to have fun. Instead it appears that people still had nice apparel in which to dress and places like this in which to enjoy themselves. Once again, you interpretation was spot on in my mind.
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI really understand how you said that there are good times in their lives. Rothstein's photo's really showed that they had a positive side to their life during the camp, but also this photo can show the conditions that these families have to deal with, or even live in. If their so called theater room looks like this little shack with everyone squeezed into it, we can imagine how their houses look, and what them conditions consist of in a normal day. Also, the people in this photo look happy and excited to get the play started, but when we look at this photo compared to all of the others we see that these adults and children live a hard working, stressful, obedient lifestyle. They get free days and to go out on the weekends in the camp but everything is so strict and to the book.
Danielle has brought our attention to a lot of components of this image and made some helpful comparisons to contemporary culture. The expressions of the people in the crowd, as noted, seem to suggest that this is a happy event in the camp. I'm am struck by your suggestion that they people, especially the children, seem more grateful for this type of entertainment than children might be today. Their expressions and the care taken with their appearance might bear out that interpretation, especially when compared with the ways some kids look when they go to, for example, their weekly movie at the Carmike. Now I'm starting to hear my grandfather's voice.... Good job!
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