Benson 1
Kimberly Benson
Dr. Oguine
English 1201-ZFE
Essay 2: Analytical Essay
13 October 2003
Pictures: Representing the Unforgettable
A picture represents a moment in history that cannot be authentically recreated. To catch an action, an image, or an emotion by film is truly a special gift and one which most people take for granted. For an image to capture a moment that simultaneously speaks for one person, a nation, and a cause is really“worth a thousand words” as Neil Postman puts it(515),even a million. It is irreplaceable by anything other than understanding, appreciation, and wonder. Three memorable photographs that embody these assets are those of five members of the British Royal Family walking behind Princess Diana’s coffin, Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon, and American soldiers raising the flag atop a mountain in Iwo Jima, Japan. These unforgettable pictures clearly show us that when photographs express something so memorable they could never be erased from our minds.
The first picture, one of the most notable moments captured by film in the latter half of the twentieth century, is that of Prince Charles, the Earl Spencer, Prince Philip, Prince William, and Prince Harry walking behind Princess Diana’s coffin during her burial ceremony. The world mourned with them as they respectfully bowed their heads, slowly walking with eyes glazed over on that poignant day. For instance, the facial expression of Prince Charles, Princess Diana’s ex- husband, was one of detached sorrow. Anyone watching his face could see that he was no longer deeply attached to Princess Diana, as he had been while they were married. Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, was clearly saddened by Diana’s death but, just like Prince Charles, did not convey the deep feelings of remorse and pain as Diana’s brother and sons did. The desperate look on the face of the Earl Spencer showed his despair and helplessness caused by losing his sister with whom he was so close. Yet perhaps the most moving expressions were on the faces of Princess Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, whose beloved mother was suddenly taken from them a few short days before. It is clear that the shock seemed almost unbearable to these young boys who were now lost because the center of their world, their mother, was dead. People around the world were able to share the pain and sadness of the members of Princess Diana’s family through their expressions, unequivocally portrayed by that one photograph. Furthermore, in his article “‘By Means of the Visible’: A Picture’s Worth,” Mitchell Stephens explains what makes pictures so powerful in conveying emotion by stating, “[. . . ] words [ . . .] must work hard to tell us what a glance could about the expression on that face” (481). In addition to showing the feelings of the British Royal Family, this photograph is a symbol that shows the world that, while Princess Diana is dead physically, she will forever be alive in the memories of her people. Her impact on society will never be forgotten and neither will the courage and strength in the faces ofthose men that touched the hearts of so many people.
A second memorable pictureis that of Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon in July 1969, which is remembered as a celebrated image that represents the power, not only of America but of the whole human race, to conquer space. Surely most people can quote Armstrong’s famous words after he stepped onto the moon during Apollo 11: “That’s one small step forman, one giant leap for mankind,” according to the internet article entitled “Today’s Speeches: Neil A. Armstrong, U.S. Astronaut, Walks on the Moon.”Yet these historical words could never provide the same wisdom and instill the wonder that one captures from actually seeing the image of Armstrong standing next to the American flag. This wonder is further explained by Stephens when he states, “There are [. . .] understandings, sometimes deep understandings, that can be put into images – accessibly, concisely, and powerfully – but are difficult to put into words” (480). Only in 1961, after President John F. Kennedy expressed his concernsthat the Soviet Union would surpass the United States in technology and superiority, did NASA become seriously interested in putting a man on the moon. This memorable picture symbolizes their adventurous spirit and the fearlessness conveyed by undertaking such a dangerous task.Even though much controversy exists over the credibility of the photograph, most peopledo not doubt its influence or integrity. Many Americans still believe in its authenticity because even nowthis imageholds theability to give our nation an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride.
Yet another historic photograph is that of five Marines and one Navy corpsman raising the American flag in the soil of Iwo Jima in February 1945, as cited in the internet article by Mitchell Landsberg. This image represents the strength of not only the soldiers who fought so bravely in World War II but of all American people. Over more than half a century, more than three generations of Americans have learned of the resolve of their nation through this one image. To this day, it speaks for all of America and the one cause that united us with hundreds of other allied nations so many years ago. For this reason, the picture of the United States soldiers at Iwo Jima has been the basis for numerous memorials that were built to honor that historical moment. Landsberg further explains the impact of this picture by stating, “[. . .][the] photo is simply … powerful on a symbolic [. . .] level. Americans responded to it because it was a stirring image of the victory they so badly craved.” No other photograph could be so compelling as to give so much hope to families around the world. Of all that has been said or will be said about World War II, nothing will teach us more about Iwo Jima than this image that is forever imbedded in our minds.
Other than these three memorable photographs, there are dozens of historical images that impact an individual every day. Yet a truly powerful picture is one that captures the viewer and puts him or her in the mindset of the picture. Imagine the pain of losing one’s mother, the excitement of walking on the moon, or the joy of victoriously thrusting the American flag into the soil at Iwo Jima. Their worth is often times undeterminable. In fact, a picture that is truly unforgettable is one that captures the feelings of that one moment in which it was taken, whether that is sadness, wonder, or hope; it speaks to all who look at it and, in doing so, remains indelibly in our memories.
Works Cited
Landsberg, Mitchell. “Fifty Years Later, Iwo Jima Photographer Fights His Own Battle.” 05
October 2003.
Postman, Neil. “Images: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.” The Presence of Others. 3rd ed. Ed. Andrea
A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: St. Martin’s, 2000. 513-530.
Stephens, Mitchell. “‘By Means of the Visible’: A Picture’s Worth.” The Presence of Others. 3rd
ed. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: St. Martin’s, 2000. 473-486.
“Today’s Speeches: Neil A. Armstrong, U.S. Astronaut, Walks on the Moon.” History
Channel.com. 9 Oct. 2003.