Stick'em Up

On a Raid, 1940


Barrels pointed, guns drawn, war is imminent. Understanding this battleship to be American, it seems the intention is to reveal the strength of America, the intimidating power. However, without considering the actual setting, it seems the turrets are aimed directly at an American flag. This illustrates an objective that reveals the danger of war, the direct threat that was posed on the country. I believe this photo is meant to show both the danger of war while illustrating the awesomeness of a country overcoming fear and standing tall against a formidable foe.

The repetition of barrels I believe, further suggests the implications of war. The light and value of the barrels seem to indicate something more. There is a high contrast between light and darkness, however it seems more darkness encompasses the barrels. And the barrels, indicating war, reveal that war is mostly dark however, through it, we can find some light. The United States found light in World War II, they found unity through hope and became the savior the world was looking for.

Although the strong contrast in the barrels seem to initially attract the eye, immediately emphasizing war, I believe the true focal point is in the background. It’s a flag swaying gently in the wind. This flag represents hope, the only thing that can stand against the massive barrels of war. Although it is an American flag, the flag is dark in the picture which I believe exhibits that the flag isn’t just suggesting American hope but world hope; hope for any nation. The basic shapes of this picture, all directing at each other in this stretched range of space, all contribute to the very basic conflict being addressed: good vs. evil, war vs. peace, fear vs. hope.