Instructions

Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, introduces poor, white tenant families through the perspectives of writer James Agee and photographer Walker Evans. While aesthetically pleasing and somewhat poetic, the book allows the reader to connect to the lives of the subjects within. However, it also opens criticism to historical authority. At times, Agee seemed to be aware of this contradiction, often referring to himself as a “spy” passing judgment from the outside. Walker’s photographs created different issues because by nature, photojournalism was simply accepted at face-value as an objective representation. However, photographers like Walker choose what subjects to capture, how to frame each image (in terms of people, place, and things). But did he leave out important nuances? Did he choose photographs for a specific feeling or reason and if so, how did that change the message of the book?

This assignment is designed to accomplish three things. First, it will allow you to explore the art of writing history. In essence, when you write history you are writing a story. It needs to be interesting as well as accurate. Second, it will get you to think about the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Exactly which words? Third, it will allow you to have complete historical authority over your chosen subject.

http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/africanamerican/intro.asp

1250 words, write the story of the image above, or rather, write your version of their story. Consider possibilities like: What are their names? Where are they from? How did they come to take this photograph? Who is present, who is missing and why? What is their economic situation? Make sure to place them into historical context, meaning, what was going on around them – nationally, politically, economically, etc. – and how did it shape their story? I provided a link to the image source, but you will not find any specific information to help you. Above all, tell me an interesting history.

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