One of the most interesting aspects of this case study about the Migrant Mother, is the role of gender. The fact that it was a mother traveling with her children, and not a father is truthfully what makes the image successful. A males role in this photograph is not existent. Everything that the women represents, specifically a women who "has lost everything, yet heroically, stoically keeps her family together" (46), makes this image emotional to the viewer. She is shown as a nurturing mother, who is fighting to keep her family alive. I think that is why this image became an 'iconic' image of the Great Depression. Struggle to stay alive was a common struggle for most people in the Depression.
Another aspect that I find interesting about this image is how little Lange found out about the woman she was photographing. In a lecture I heard on photojournalism, the photographer emphasized getting to know your subject, and therefore you will be able to capture more intimate photographs of them. Although it is clear that in this case Lange did not need to know her subject better because the image she captured is packed with emotion and with meaning.
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