The Great Depression and the Migrant Mother

In the 1930's, America was under attack of the great depression. Millions lost their savings, along with their jobs. Many forced to migrate away from their homes and take up a more rural lifestyle. Below, discussed is a photography project by Dorothea Lange was created to document the situation of the Great Depression. Specifically discussed is the impact of one of the most famous photographs taken in American History, the "Migrant Mother" photograph.

Why did this project have a significant impact on society?
This collection is significant to society because it is able to document the Great Depression and is able to show the viewers what life was at the time of this Depression. These pictures were taken at such a personal and close up perspective that it really creates a feeling of despair to the viewers. It captures the lives of people when they were displaced from farms and were migrating west in search for work. There are over 160,000 images in this collection alone that dates back to WWII. It shows the adverse effects of the Great Depression and the increasing farm mechanization.

What was the role of the "Migrant Mother" photograph?
The role of the “Migrant Mother” picture at the time of The Great Depression was that of an icon and a source of hope for the people of America. It was used in the San Francisco News in hopes of raising funds for these farmers who were suffering from poverty. After the story was published, there were no reports of death by starvation. Therefore, Lange's story was considered to be a great success and since then this picture became a symbol of hope and ironically, suffering. This photograph has been used as a symbol for Lange's whole project because the editor states that the woman in the picture shows "all the suffering of mankind in her but all of the perseverance too. A restraint and a strange courage. You can see anything you want to in her. She is immortal." This picture has made a significant impact on the hearts of all proud Americans.

In the 1930s, this photograph acted as a symbolic representation of America's communal faith to overcome despair and devastation. It is a representation of America’s past pains and hardships. This photograph takes on a very institutional role.

In 1975, Florence Thompson, the woman identified as the one in the famous photograph, was sadly diagnosed with cancer.

In 1997 this picture continued in circulation because it was believed that this icon of poverty can be used to promote prosperity today. In January of 1997 this picture was once again used in an advertisement for the Arts and Entertainment Network show to promote a better life for the people of America. The image gives people the hope to persevere in their lives and acts as a constant reminder of where they came from.

In 2005, Wal-Mart was said to be an inspiration to the American economy and this picture was once again used to make a statement on behalf of democracy and the promise of social and economic justice in the United Sates.

Contributors:
T. Nguyen
S. Schwartz
M. Balasingham

Sources:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/fsahtml/fahome.html

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/316062.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Owens_Thompson