"Migrant Mother" and "Daughter of Migrant Mother"

            Of course I had seen Lange’s “Migrant Mother,” but I had never been aware of the history behind it, why the image was taken, or how it has been read over the years. The Wells’ case study on the photograph not only informed me, but also opened my eyes to what this iconic photograph means. I had no idea that one view of the photograph is through a feminist eye. I have always seen the photograph as a social comment on poverty and family, but now I have a new appreciation for it, viewing the image as a symbol for heroic motherhood and maternal strength. Even though the government sent Lange out to photograph how the Depression is affecting society so they could be privy to this information, Lange did not stop at simply informing the government. The Wells’ article proves that “Migrant Mother” speaks to the mother, the poor, the family, and any and all sympathizers to these qualities. I also find it interesting that the image resonated with so many Americans during the failing economy in the 21^st century as well. The image is timeless, even though it was created to inform the government of a certain time: The Depression. I also did not relate the “Migrant Mother” to Madonna and child images until reading this article, which gives me a new appreciation for the image in an art history context.

            I also really enjoyed the article about the daughter of Florence Thompson, because it very much puts an identity and a name to a photograph I am so familiar with but previously had known nothing about. This heroic, strong figure of the Great Depression loved to drink beer and wear red dresses. It’s such a disconnect for me, and I struggled to connect the Florence her daughter is taking about to the migrant mother. It almost seems like the migrant mother is not a real person, just a thought. Just a symbol.