This image stood out to me because of its presentation. A majority of the other photos I perused throughout this selection contained darker hues and mild saturation. The contrast of the white snow and steam with the black locomotive drew my attention to this photo and evoked a sense of curiosity about it. If one randomly glances over this photograph the steam from the locomotive may be mistaken for clouds. I know I made this mistake when I first viewed this text. Upon further inspection, many intricacies appear that don’t isolate themselves immediately.There are six people visible in this photograph. Using context clues and prior knowledge it is viable to hypothesize that all these individuals are male; however, we don’t know for sure because the faces are not detailed. By observing that this is a train carrying cargo and not passengers, it is logical to think that these men are either unloading or loading this transportation device. My initial interpretation of this photo is that these men have just finished loading the cargo onto the train and the conductor is starting his journey toward the west coast. Not only is this evidenced by the title, but also through the posture of the men, their proximity to the train, and the fact that smoke is coming out of the locomotive.
I would infer that these men live very hard lives. Loading and unloading cargo daily in frigid conditions requires mental strength and a durable body. Struggle brings people together and this photo was taken during World War II. Therefore, I believe that these men are very close to one another and care about each other’s well being. Judging by the time period and my prior knowledge, I would venture to say that these men make a measly wage. These men must work long hours to support their family. Speaking of family, I can guarantee all these men have families or else they would be out fighting a war. Furthermore, they are probably aged to a certain extent with the youngest possibly being around thirty.
The photo doesn’t give much information about the surrounding area. From just viewing the photograph, I get a feeling of desolation and harsh conditions. However, after reading the ensuing text I discovered that this train yard is located in Chicago, Ill. This totally changes my perception of the surroundings and the people that reside in it.
Chicago is a large city that brings to mind stress, crowded streets, and a business state of mind. I can definitely sense a hard work ethic from these men that is stereotype of the blue collar work force. I can see them going back to their wives and children after an exhausting day of work. I envision the stereotypical stay-at-home mother with two to three children to take care of. These inferences along with the overall ethos of the photo evoke a sense of patriotism inside me, especially now that I now this was during World War II. The photographer’s aim was to present some diligent American workers supporting their country in its time of need.
