Before the class of Oct. 1 we will study a structured way of analysing images (anthology, p 20). Please comment on ONE of these images in relation to the reading of chapters I and VIII of the late 19th century Dime Novel which appears in your coursebook, p. 47 and 49-50.
See p. 20 of the anthology - guidelines for analysing an image
- format
- kind of image (abstract, representative, expressionist)
- intended audience
- emotions coveyed
- prominent and secondary elements - how parts contribute to the whole
- layout - where is the eye drawn to - how does the focus order the elements'
- relation between text and image
+ (multimodal analysis)
- light / shadow or kinds of colours
- high and low planes (high generally corresponds to the ideal while low to the factual)
- left and right (left generally corresponds to the know and right to the new - order of reading, theme and rheme)
- if image represents characters, how do they engage with us? Looking straight (defiance, appeal), looking away (offering themselves to our look), etc.
The first image is a staged photograph. After being forced to surrender at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and some of his people were paraded around the United States as exhibitions. This included meeting "admirers" and shaking their hand - namely, the hand of the infamous Buffalo Bill.
ResponderEliminarIn this image, Buffalo Bill's body language is that of dominance, whereas Sitting Bull shows not exactly an atittude of submission, but more of passive resignation or self-control. This can be inferred from the fact that Buffalo Bill is looking beyond the camera and pointing with his right hand, as if showing or teaching Sitting Bull something; whereas Sitting Bull is looking at him, apparently listening. This power dynamic is most evident in the focus point of this image - the hands over the firearm. Sitting Bull is holding the firearm, indicating that it is his, but Buffalo Bill has his hand on it as well, asserting his dominance once more. If one were to assume that this was intended, one could say that this is deeply symbolic of the power struggle between white people and the Native-Americans, and symbolic of the Native-Americans' defeat a couple of years before this photograph was taken (but then again, the fact that a photograph like this was even taken is also very much symbolic of that). In this sense, this photo was intended to look casual (because the people photographed are doing something other than staring at the camera), but also to have a strong subliminal meaning - almost like a political advertisement.
The episode told in the dime novel is coherent with this photograph: the boy who proudly dragged the body of his first "Injun kill" grew to be a fierce oponent of the Native-American struggle against the white folk.
The image in question (the first one) is a black and white photograph taken in 1885 as the caption indicates, and it pictures Buffalo Bill standing aside sitting bull (one of the most famous Indian chefs of the Sioux hunkpapa). It is a realistically sharp and neat photograph taken most likely in front of a scenario, so while describing and analysing the picture we may not forget it can be staged or prepared although both probably agreed on it.
ResponderEliminarThe photograph is most likely used as publicity for Buffalo Bill’s wild west shows, so the audience extends to a very large part of the American and non-American population, from various social classes and ages.
From a first and broad analysis I think their body languages, positions and expressions show a sort of mutual respect, cooperation or even unity. However, Buffalo bill expresses some superiority, even if slightly. This is noticeable from the way he inclines his head, the way he looks and calling Sitting bull’s attention to show or teach something. On the other hand, sitting bull’s countenance suggests a sort of calm acceptance, interest and respect, as he is clearly listening to Cody.
What made me suggest this image conveys a kind of unity or cooperation between these two men is reinforced by the fact they are both holding the firearm. The gun, symbolically representing power, or the power to destroy, is shared by both “leaders”, besides, their hands are relatively close.
From reading the chapters I and VIII from the late 19th century Dime Novel, I understood where the malformed idea came from. The truth is that the nickname “boy Indian killer” is undeserved. The circumstances in which he and his fellow adventurers found themselves led him to kill the Indian, who would have killed him and who started attacking their committee, in the first place, if I understood it correctly. On the other hand, we may not forget the imprinted preconceived idea his mother gave him, before the trips, which was that he “would be killed or captured by Indians”.
However I am not defending the killing of the Indians, I am just analysing the circumstances.
The first image depicts an interaction between Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull. It is seems to be a casual, amiable conversation between the two. The main message it seems to convey is a message of cooperation. This is indicated by the fact that both men are standing side by side and that the weapon depicted stands right in the middle of them, and both of them have their hands on it.
ResponderEliminarHowever, it seems to me that there is another intention with this image, which perhaps was not meant to be consciously perceived by its viewers, but rather suggested in a subliminal way. That intention would be to depict Buffalo Bill- who, in this case, represents white Americans- as someone with a lot more power and importance than Sitting Bull- who, in this case, represents Native Americans.
What led me to that conclusion were the following elements: Buffalo Bill has his head raised up and seems to be the one talking, while Sitting Bull is looking down and is like to be listening; Buffalo Bill has most of his body turned to the camera and we can see his face clearly, while we can only see half of Sitting Bull’s face; the way Buffalo Bill’s arms are positioned over Sitting Bull’s arms seem to constrain Sitting Bull’s movement; although both men are similar in height, the way Buffalo Bill’s body is positioned makes him look taller and closer to the camera.
A imagem de Buffalo Bill e Sitting Bull que nos é apresentada, datada de 1855 apresenta uma tonalidade branca e preta, característica das fotografias da época. Aparenta ser encenada, possivelmente para um anúncio publicitário, em que o principal foco são as duas figuras, ao invés do cenário esbatido de uma floresta. É visível um certo sentimento de cooperação entre os dois indivíduos, no entanto, Buffalo Bill exalta uma certa superioridade ao assumir o comando da aparente conversa que os dois sujeitos estão a travar, enquanto Sitting Bull se limita a observar/ouvir pacificamente o sujeito a seu lado. Ambas as figuras olham para algo longínquo, não encarando o olhar do espectador. Sitting Bull enverga as suas vestes indígenas, enquanto Buffalo Bill veste o seu uniforme de soldado. Porém, ambos seguram a espingarda, elemento central da imagem.
ResponderEliminarApós ler os capítulos I e VIII da obra de Dime, questiono-me se o simbolismo desta arma está diretamente ligado à capacidade de matar dos Índios – referida pela mãe de Billy na citação “ he would be killed or captured by Indians” – e à do rapaz que ficou conhecido como “Boy Indian Killer”, após ter assassinado um indígena. Julgo que a mensagem contida nesta imagem se relaciona com questões político-sociais, pois acredito que Sitting Bull e Buffalo Bill, personificam os povos Nativos e Colonizadores da América.
The second picture is the cover of a "dime novel", which was a type of shorter story that was accessible to a wider audience due to the reduced price the name itself hints at. It is a black and white illustration, representing the protagonist of the dime novel, Buffalo Bill. Its purpose is to present a heroic image of the character, increasing the appeal of the work to its potential readers.
ResponderEliminarIt represents a specific episode in the novel, where Buffalo Bill escapes a seemingly dead-end situation by avoiding his Native pursuers and the buffalos by jumping on one of the animals from a tree and riding it through the horde.
The image takes a much more central and visible spot than the text of the title on the cover, below the elaborately decorated name of the publication itself. The most prominent element of the picture is Buffalo Bill himself, who stands out in the middle of the heavy contrast between the clear sky and the dark fur of the animal that blends with its surroundings. Once again it gives the character a heroic, imposing presence, which transmits exactly the intended image for Buffalo Bill to be marketed that way.
The cover of "dime novel", circa 1882, shows a black-and-white image of Buffalo Bill - From Boyhood to Manhood - that clearly expresses the message that it is supposed: a story of the adventures of a hero.
ResponderEliminarThe image in the article is directed to everyone who is receptive of “thrilling adventures, fierce combats, deadly feuds and wild rides” (Chapter1. Prologue, The Adventures of Buffalo Bill). It can be both an artistic photo as a commercial work, since it represents the adventures of buffalo bill as a representation of an enthusiastic hero story but it also intends to share real facts. This image may convey to rebellion, hope, eagerness or rage depending on who sees it, as it is a serious image on behalf of a thoughtful matter. This conflict of emotions seems to be intentional though. A “battle” is shown between the robust image where the weapons carried by Buffalo Bill are particularly distinguished and the title that may be taking for amusing something serious by calling it “Adventures”, as it was an entertaining story instead of a real controversial and thoughtful story. By embracing the shades, it can be seen that the image as yet something to be said; as the shadows grow to the right side of the image, it starts the doubt of what is there to come. We now know what has happened, but we dive in (along with Buffalo Bill in the image) to the unknown: are the adventures going to continue? What some may have thought it was a victory can be only the beginning of something else.
Perhaps the image pursuits a response such as emotional reactions to this story. It aims to share this remarkable moment but not letting it be only a momentarily instant. This strong images allows the curiosity of what is happening next.
The first image is a black and white image of Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill taken in 1885. This picture was probably taken for advertisement purposes for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, a circus show that travelled and toured throughout the United States and later in Europe, which was founded in 1883 in Nebraska. Sitting Bull worked there as a performer. Because of his past history, the victory at the battle of Little Big Horn for instance, he was considered a true warrior. I can imagine that this picture could have helped the show to attract more audiences from kids to elderlies. Although the picture is clearly staged, I find it sad. I don’t think that Sitting Bull wants to be there taking pictures signing autographs and being an attraction. His face shows no amusement at all, though I can’t figure out if it is intentionally so. Both of them are in their proper clothes for the show and you can see the huge difference between these two mainly because of that. Sitting Bull is very old, but yet you can see no respect signs coming from the younger, arrogant looking Buffalo Bill, in fact he seems to be very proud of himself. They both have their hands on which seems to be Buffalo Bills rifle.
ResponderEliminarA primeira imagem representa Sitting Bill e Buffalo Bill. Existem aspetos bastante interessantes nesta fotografia a preto e branco encenada. Em primeiro lugar, o facto de o cenario ser esbatido demonstra que o mais importante não é o local em si, ou seja, se o individuo é de determinada região, mas sim a cooperação entre este e o próximo. Apesar das duas personalidades terem diferentes origens, estas revelam um espírito de cooperação, por um lado, ao agarrarem na mesma arma (símbolo de poder e liderança) e, por outro lado, no caso de Sitting Bill fixar o seu olhar em Buffalo Bill, o que subjaz respeito pelo próprio. No entanto, apesar da união que, à partida, transparece da imagem, Buffalo Bill aparenta exercer domínio sobre o chefe indígena na medida em que para além de se encontrar à direita do mesmo, também tem uma expressão altiva no seu olhar, até mesmo orgulhosa do seu "espírito aventuroso" como indica o capítulo I da obra de Dime. Desta forma, a imagem serve de propaganda política aos espetáculos de Buffalo Bill no faroeste, os quais incluíam paradas de cavalos, participação de índios americanos e grandes atiradores. Assjm sendo, esta imagem está em plena conformidade com os capítulos I e VIII da obra referida, já que a imagem de heroi, de dominador, referida pelo leitor é representada na imagem.
ResponderEliminarIn the following I am going to comment on the first picture, which is a photo of Sitting Bull and Chicago Bull from 1885. The figures in the black-white photo are on the one hand the infamous bison hunter William "Chicago Bull", who invented the " Wild West Show" that became an enormous entertainment attraction and on the other hand "Sitting Bull" ,the Sioux chief and most distinguised Indian Leader of his time, who suprisingly joined that "Wild West Show".
ResponderEliminarThe intended audience is an audience that wanted to see the infamous " Killer of Custer" . So the attendance of Sitting Bull gave the show extra popularity and attracted thousands of spectators. Naturally, there is a feeling of unconceivebility amongst the spectators. The mere presence of Sitting Bull was a sensation on its own, but I believe that a message that was meant to conveyed was the following:
Namely that the Americans only fight and attack when provoked. This suggests an innosence of the Americans.
The second image from the cover of a 'Dime Novel' contains a very eye-catching black and white illustration below the title, depicting Buffalo Bill in a powerful stance with multiple weapons during battle. He is in an imposing stance above the rest of the action on top of his Buffalo giving the idea of him being in control of the situation. The dime novel is clearly marketed towards young boys you can see this not only from the title 'Beadles Boy's Library' but also from the font in which it is written. It is clearly composed to be exciting and to draw the attention of a younger generation, the bold words Sport, Story and Adventure help to achieve this.
ResponderEliminarThe serious subject of wars and battles have here been phrased as stories and adventures to glorify the concept of war to a young audience. The phrase from Boyhood to Manhood along with the image of the protagonist in his heroic position also seem to portray Bill as someone that boys should aspire to imitate. This is an effective marketing tool, people are sure to be keen to read about the adventures of such an exciting character.
The second images is the cover of a "dime novel", therefore can be considered a commercial work because it is trying to appeal to the readers of the novel. It's a black and white representation of Buffalo Bill sitting on top of an animal. While the animal blends with the surroundings, Buffalo Bill contrasts with the lighter sky, giving the idea that he is the main character of the story, the hero.
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