Case Study: Migrant Mother

I'm a little embarrassed to say this is actually my first experience viewing the photograph "Migrant Mother." The image is captivating and I can see why it has received so much attention from the media over the past few decades. As stated in the article this woman is a "symbol of timeless sorrow," she is relatable to many audiences throughout time. The success and widespread attention given to this photo can be largely contributed to the ambiguous title "Migrant Mother." This is possible because she is taken out of the context of her surroundings. There is no reference of time or space. You cannot see her tent, or the barren land she occupies. You deduce her economic status from her clothes, expression and the state of her two boys, which hover behind her. From this picture it is clear she supports them, they lean on her shoulders, needing her.