Behind the icon, Dorothea Lange's Migrant Mother

Summary

The video script discusses Dorothea Lange's iconic 'Migrant Mother' photograph, capturing the struggles of Florence Owens Thompson during the Great Depression. The image symbolizes the plight of migrant workers and the broader socio-economic challenges of the era. It explores the dual nature of photography as both a document and a fine art, highlighting Lange's empathetic storytelling and the impact of the image on public perception and policy.

Takeaways

• 📸 'Migrant Mother' is one of the most iconic images in American history, capturing the essence of the Great Depression era.
• 🌾 The Great Depression was triggered by both a financial and agricultural crisis, with overplanting in the Midwest leading to the creation of dust bowls.
• 👩 Florence Owens Thompson, the subject of 'Migrant Mother,' was a migrant worker who moved to areas with available work, such as Northern California.
• 💼 The Resettlement Administration, part of the Roosevelt New Deal, commissioned Dorothea Lange to document the plight of migrant workers.
• 📷 Lange's photograph tells a personal story alongside the broader economic and political narrative of the time, emphasizing the struggles of the working class.
• 👀 The image was taken during a moment of hardship for Florence, who was at the pea picker camp due to a freeze that halted work.
• 👶 The photograph depicts Florence with her children, symbolizing her as a mother bearing the weight of her family's survival during tough times.
• 🎨 Lange's work blurs the line between documentary and fine art, creating an intimate and emotionally impactful narrative.
• 🗞️ The photograph had an immediate impact, leading to aid for the pea pickers and broader recognition of migrant workers' struggles.
• 🌐 'Migrant Mother' became a universal symbol of the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and migrant labor, resonating with the American public.
• 👣 The story of Florence Owens Thompson is also tied to the historical migration of the Cherokee people, known as the Trail of Tears, adding depth to the image's significance.

Q & A

What is the significance of the photograph 'Migrant Mother' in American history?

The photograph 'Migrant Mother' by Dorothea Lange is significant as it captures a moment during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, symbolizing the struggles of migrant workers and becoming a powerful emblem of that era.

What were the main causes of the Great Depression mentioned in the script?

The script mentions a financial crisis and an agricultural crisis as the main causes of the Great Depression. The agricultural crisis was due to overplanting in the Midwest, which led to nonfertile fields and the creation of dust bowls.

Who was Florence Owens Thompson, and what was her role in the context of the photograph?

Florence Owens Thompson was a migrant worker and the subject of the famous photograph 'Migrant Mother'. She moved to areas where there was work, such as Northern California, and was depicted by Lange during a visit to a pea picker camp.

What was the impact of the Great Depression on the American workforce?

At its height in 1932, the Great Depression led to 25% of Americans being unemployed, which is a quarter of the workforce at that time.

What is the term 'Okies' mentioned in the script, and why was it derogatory?

The term 'Okies' referred to migrant workers from Oklahoma and surrounding regions who moved to California during the Dust Bowl. It was a derogatory term used by Californians to describe these workers.

What was the role of the Resettlement Administration and the Farm Security Administration in the context of the script?

The Resettlement Administration, which later became the Farm Security Administration, was a US government entity that provided support and policies under the Roosevelt New Deal. Dorothea Lange was on assignment by these administrations to document the conditions of migrant workers.

How did the photograph 'Migrant Mother' contribute to the perception and aid of migrant workers during the Depression?

The photograph 'Migrant Mother' was reproduced in newspapers and helped to raise awareness about the plight of migrant workers. It led to immediate aid for the pea pickers who were on the brink of starvation and contributed to the social programs being put into place as a social safety net.

What is the debate surrounding the identity of photography as presented in the script?

The script presents a debate on whether photography is solely a document of reality or if it can also be considered fine art. It suggests that photography can be both, as it can capture truth while also creating a narrative or emotional impact.

What was Dorothea Lange's assignment directive from Roy Stryker, and how did it influence her work?

Roy Stryker assigned Dorothea Lange broad topics such as cooking, sleeping, praying, and socializing to document. This directive allowed her to capture intimate and emotionally moving images that told a story and could be considered both documents and fine art.

How did Dorothea Lange's personal background and experiences influence her photography?

Dorothea Lange's personal background, including being a third-generation American and having suffered from polio, likely contributed to her highly developed empathy. This empathy is reflected in her photographs, such as 'Migrant Mother', which capture the struggles and humanity of her subjects.

What is the additional historical context provided by the script regarding the subject of 'Migrant Mother'?

The script provides the context that Florence Owens Thompson, the subject of 'Migrant Mother', was of Cherokee descent. Her birth in Oklahoma is likely due to the forced migration of Cherokees in the 19th century, known as the Trail of Tears, adding a layer of historical complexity to the image.