Demolition Derby, Baker, Montana, 2001
http://photos.wingyounghuie.com/asianamerica/h4aba9802#h4aba9802
This photo was taken in a rural town during a derby, where the entire town was located. The photographer meant to take pictures of the derby as well, but this image stood out because of the lone Asian American in the audience. The photographer remarks that this man and his wife were just watching; they looked and acted like they belonged there. At first glance, I thought that the photograph was just depicting a typical country scene. The crowd includes many families with children, which indicates that this derby is a community-wide gathering. However, this picture depicts the effects of generalizations on minority groups. Everyone in the background looks to be Caucasian with the exception of the Asian American. He is wearing plain clothes, and apart from his ethnicity, he could fit into the rest of the crowd with ease. This picture isolates the Asian American by centering the photo around him and making him the spotlight of the image.
This picture depicts the concept of "othering" because the layout of the photo immediately considers him as the outcast; the Asian American is in the center of the photo but there is a clear division between him and the rest of the crowd. Similarly in The Handmaid's Tale, Offred and the other handmaidens are surrounded by the rest of Gilead in everyday situation, yet the restrictions imposed on them (no eye contact with others, no conversations, etc. ) makes them feel isolated.
This is a really good example of "othering" that seems very candid. The image made me think of when there was only one woman in the House of Representatives (Jeannette Rankin) or one African American Supreme Court Justice (Thurgood Marshall). They all were isolated in their field and most definitely ostracized and treated differently but they were necessary in order to make a change. I think Atwood used "othering" to show that the Handmaid's were the biggest change in Gilead. Very though provoking Anurupa :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example, analysis, and comparison with Atwood's representation, of "othering." The Asian American man in the photograph is purposely separated from the large crowd of Caucasian individuals, pointing out his differences and lack of acceptance from others. This is almost a direct correlation to the Handmaids in Atwood's novel - the differences between them and the rest of Gilead are clearly pointed out via the restrictions of their freedoms. They are not accepted or valued to the same extent as many others in their society, for the Handmaids are seen as only valuable for their wombs, which can conceive children. I loved this example and analysis because it really got me thinking; thanks Anurupa :)
ReplyDeleteAnurupa-
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your analysis of the photograph, but I do wish there was more in terms of THT- textual evidence?
I really like that you pointed out that the Asian American man is in the center and is meant to be the focus. This can be seen in The Handmaid's Tale since Atwood describes the Handmaids as wearing red. They are meant to not be seen but the color they wear makes them easily identifiable. This can be seen in the photo by the clothes that the man is wearing. It is like he wants to fit in but the red clothes the Handmaids wear would be mirrored by the color of the Asian American man's skin.
ReplyDeleteহ্যালো !
ReplyDeleteThis photograph is an amazing example of "Othering". How the photograph is staged itself, with the man being isolated in the center standing away from the crowd is a form of "Othering" in itself. But then there "Othering" with the ethnicity/race of the man in the middle as you mentioned. And this photo reminded of a part in THT where Offred encountered the group of Japanese tourists in the store and how Offred and Ofglen were isolated because of their appearance as a handmaid.