Peace during The Great Depression

When I look at this photograph I get a feeling of peace. I notice all the sheets of newspaper covering the wall in the background of the house. I like the newspaper on the wall in a sense of their decorations. I zoomed in on the picture and looked at the newspaper’s I saw a picture about a car and a white woman. Noticing the details on the newspaper made me wonder if they were keeping up with current events that had taken place. The grandmother and what appear to be her two granddaughters are found sitting on the bed. They look calm as if they are resting for a minute. Even though they are not smiling I do not feel that they were sad or felt affected by the Great Depression.

            I studied the picture a little bit more and noticed the quilt that was laid on the bed and the intricate pattern it obtained. Was the quilt significant to them? After doing a little bit more research I found out that Gees Bend, Alabama was famous for the quilts. How many people in the Gees Bend community made quilts? Did they sell of even trade them?

            Arthur Rothstein appeared to be taking this photograph at the same level. I think he did an excellent job in capturing a moment of rest and peace from the three ladies. No matter what was going on in the world around them they didn’t let the Great Depression change how they viewed or lived their lives they were at peace and content. I think Arthur wanted us to see this photograph, to show the living style they were used to and the sense of peace they had.  Most of the photographs in the 1930s showed the homes, work and labor during the Great Depression, I liked this particular photograph, because it symbolized the rest and peace they contained.

-Kayla