Kellie

Kellie

Kellie Eveland Ms. Woods AP English Language 5 December 2012 Analysis of Grant Wood’s //Daughters of Revolution// At first glance, Grant Wood’s painting titled //Daughters of Revolution// is merely depicting three older women standing in front of a painting, looking rather solemn as elder people tend to be. However, upon further inspection, the true satirical purpose of Wood’s painting slowly comes into focus. Cleverly given the name //Daughters of Revolution//, the painting is centered on the principle that during the American Revolution while our nation was fighting for our freedom from Britain, underneath that fight for democracy is the establishment of aristocracy based on birth. The three women in the picture are standing upright, staring straight ahead, as if challenging whoever might stop to take a glance at the work, judging them if they are worthy enough to look upon such higher class women. Also, one of the women is holding a teacup in her hand. This is ironic because one of the main reasons that America declared its independence was because of taxation without representation, a tax on tea being a central complaint. So although these “daughters of revolution” supported our country’s fighting for freedom, they also support the “dignified” act of tea drinking, even though that was an important argument in the war. Additionally, the painting that the three women are standing in front of appears to be the famous work depicting Washington’s sail across the Delaware River, which occurred during the Revolutionary War. Wood includes this famous piece of art within his own satirical piece in order to draw more focus on the of the situation. Clearly, these three women were strong supporters of the Revolution while it was occurring and actively advocated for democracy. However, now they appear to be more focused on aristocracy and classes based on birth, as opposed to the equality promised in democracy. These women feel that, since they did support the war, they are of higher standing than those that did not, which gives them the privilege to look down upon the other “lower” members of society. The juxtaposition of these two ideas is what makes Wood’s painting satirical. The women are trying to establish themselves as an aristocracy of birth while trying to support a democracy

Connection of Artwork to Narrative Elimonde (1943) – This abstract piece of artwork relates to my narrative because of the dreamlike quality the piece has. Towards the bottom left corner, the shading of the piece gives it a lighter, cloud-like feeling. Additionally, the top of the work has darker colors, which are associated with night and sleep. This relates to my narrative, because my narrative describes my process of waking up in the morning following a night of dreaming. Those dreams are what I analyze as I eat my breakfast in order to determine what my subconscious is trying to tell me.

Horizontal Rust (1960) – The overall dark, muddled prescence that this piece has correlates with the darkness of morning and the confusion I have after just waking up. Thick black lines are haphazardly strewn across the canvas in no definite rhyme or reason, which is definitely relatable to my thought process in the early morning. Additionally, the small rust colored strips depict the hidden brightness of the morning, the sheer joy of waking up to start another day, which is commonly masked by the aggravating darkness of being jerked out of sleep.

Bedstead (1882) – I took this piece of art very literally in the interpretation that it is indeed a bed, which correlates with the central idea of my narrative, mornings. The intricately carved patterns within the bed frame give this solitude of sleep a majestic quality, but also an almost simple and dreamlike aspect. Everyone can relate to the solace of sleep and dreams, and I feel that this piece brings out that inner sanctuary that our own beds provide for us. In connection to my narrative, I personally find my bed as my warmth and comfort, especially in the darkness of morning, and it is my companion who sends me off to start my day.