1920s Photo Research Paper

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Photo Research Paper Everyone knows the saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Snapshots are taken as a brief, text-less expression of the actions and atmosphere of that event. What is up to interpretation, then, is what words are trying to be described in each picture? Upon reading graphic novels such as Maus, I have found that every frame not only told a story, but also illustrates a central theme of both the time period and the social attributes of that time period. Concordantly, upon observation of the following three photographs taken in the 1920s, I have found that each photo manages to encompass the theme of that era. For example, first image captures the very conservative, straight-laced atmosphere of that time in American…show more content…
The woman featured in the picture is actually a flapper from the 1920s. Society in the 1920s gave certain roles to men and women. The 1920s brought about a major cultural change in gender roles including granting women the right to vote. In comparing the flapper and the normal expected women wear, there were many differences. Flappers wore short skirts that revealed the knee and shapeless dresses with flat chests while non flappers wore dresses that were calf length and eliminated all the curves of the women (ThinkQuest). Flappers wore more makeup than the other women and got rid of their long tresses and replaced them with boyish bob haircuts which some wore hats with (ThinkQuest). They were almost like a rebellion to the sexual norm of women, acting in inappropriate ways like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and dancing in a provocative manner to jazz music (Rosenberg). While this new, radical lifestyle of some women in this time period was not accepted initially, in time, flappers inspired women to step outside of normal social boundaries by evoking a sense of defiant independence and uniqueness. Even now, short hair shows an air of confidence and revealing clothing is still in fashion. On a final note, some flappers wore dresses that aided them in bootlegging, which is the illegal transportation of alcohol, by…show more content…
This movement was stemmed from religious denominations particularly the Methodists. Women in this organization spearheaded the crusade for Prohibition which was the eighteenth amendment which banned all sale and consumption of alcohol (WCTM). However, their goals were not limited to ending alcohol consumption. They also had interests in numerous social reform issues such as prostitution, sanitation, peace. This intensely conservative mindset is made apparent in the image. All the women in this picture are dressed in very long dresses and do not have any of the bob like haircuts which were so popular with the flappers. Unlike the flapper’s liberal dress, these women are dressed in such a conservative way that reflects their views on alcohol and prohibition. Even their facial expressions display their attitude towards the consumption of alcohol. They are stoic and unmovable, much like their very intense statement on their
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