Sunday 16 October 2011

Documenting the Great Depression

Why the project has significant impact on the society?

The Great Depression was one of those tragedies left miserable marks in society during 1929 as well as modern day society. Life was extremely difficult when families were struggling to afford basic needs like foods and shelters. The stock price of the New York Stock Exchange plummeted deeply that marked the start of The Great Depression. It became a trigger to the poverty for rest of the world: countless jobs were lost, production plants got shut down, businesses went bankrupt, and families were forced to move to search for job and ended up living out on the street. Until 1939 before the economy got back throughout the World War II, the economy level was dropped in the early 1900s and over 30-percent of total labourers lost their jobs.

A project was developed by the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to document the life of individuals and families who lived in the rural poverty in America, that were affected by the Great Depression and World War II between 1935 and 1944.

About 160,000 taken images were able to capture the everyday lives of the unfortunate citizens. These photographs showed the desperation that had taken over all of society. The epidemic was brought to light and people could no longer ignore the facts surrounding them. Government and social programs were developed to aid the citizen and to help them create a better life for themselves and their children. 




What was the role of the Migrant Mother photograph in the period of great depression and what is it nowadays?
The Migrant Mother photographs are taken by Dorothea Lange, one of the most prominent photographers during this FSA project. The women in the photographs is said to be Florence Owen Thompson and her children

The pictures capture the struggle and hardship that women, especially mothers faced during this time and had to endure to stay alive.  This photo beautifully depicts how motherhood challenges a woman’s endurance and bravery in an effort to feed and provide for their family. It is clear that desperation plays a huge factor in this photo, as it is illustrated through the disheveled face, slim frame, tattered clothing and dirty appearance. The harsh conditions and lifestyle aged her considerably. 




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