Case Study: Migrant Mother

After reading the case study on Dorothea Lange’s photograph titled Migrant Mother, one part in particular stands out to me, and that is of John Roberts’ summarization of Andrea Fisher’s thoughts.  He emphasizes the power of family, and how that power can overcome all obstacles.  This photograph becomes more than poverty-stricken people during the Depression; it is that of a family holding on to each other for support when times are tough. 

The minimalistic photograph tells more of a story itself than the family’s history of pea picking.  The close up of the figures, and more specifically the mother’s central position, as said in the case study, is iconic and symbolic. The woman's gaze into the distance invites the viewer into her thoughts, sympathizes with her, and builds off her strength and determination to provide for her family.  She acts as a representation of anyone during this period of time.  This photograph in particular was so successful because Lange excluded all detail and focused solely on the iconic figure, creating a timeless photograph. 

Dorothea Lange’s piece has been named and captioned as many things:  Migrant mother, Seasonal Farm Labourer’s Family, Destitute pea pickers in California, a 32 year old mother of seven children, but her own chosen title, Migrant Mother, works best at keeping this photograph timeless.