In our lesson we was asked to write an essay analysing four different war orientated scenes:
- scene from iwo jima war
- scene from raising of the flag in ground zero
- memorial shot of the iwo jima war
- Lego version of the scene from iwo jima war
Compare/Contrast the ideologies of these four pictures using hegemony, semiotics, shot types and representation.
The first picture is the flag rising at Iwo Jima . The representation of the raising of the flag could symbolise that America America Iwo Jima shot is long shot at eye level this is used as a way of showing a human view observing the scene. The flag could be used as a way of showing the way the flag is pointing is the way “home”.
Whereas in the second picture is the raising of the flag at ground zero after the America attack (known as 9/11). The representation of the flag here could represent the trust America need to regain as America will pull through and America will go on and not be defeated and gain Americas trust with determination. The raising of the flag could symbolise a sign of respect of the 9/11 suffers and shows that America is still proud and to let the family members and loved ones of the victims that the country does care. The way the flag is positioned is towards the sky this could represent that the victims are going to heaven as they were killed in vain as more towards the top of the picture it become lighter, with heaven we assume white and therefore the idea of the victims reaching heaven is portrayed through this. The angle shot used is long shot at eye level as this is seen as a human view as it is a view from victim’s prospectus. But the flag haven’t just been raised for the victims but for the services offering there service to rescue many. The flag has been raised for all the heroes that either died helping save their country or survived and living as a “hero” The flag could of also been raised as a remembrance of the day America was attacked and victims died in vain and scared many families forever. The men raising the flag are looking towards the flag this could resemble the respect they have towards the victims and the respect they have gained from America as placing there life’s on the line to benefit others.
Therefore in the third picture of the memorial of the iwo jima war the memorial could resemble the respect from the country, family and loved ones of those who died in battle. The war was between America and Japan and the memorial features the American flag and therefore the audience of the memorial is towards the America soldiers. The representation of the flag here is pointing towards then north and therefore could represent home. The flag is being placed by many soldiers and therefore could represent that teamwork was used throughout and embraced and teamwork is the base of everything resembling that America always has a helping hand. Like the scene from the iwo jima war the flag is placed within the rumble and therefore suggests that the battle was a bloody one and ruined a lot of agriculture, land and family lives. So therefore placing the flag within the rubble suggest that the flag is for anyone. The shot is a low angle looking up towards the memorial this could resemble that people look up to and respect the men that died in vain. The added height of the object may make it inspire fear and insecurity in the viewer as it is from a viewer’s perspective.
Finally in the last picture it is a picture of Iwo Jima in Lego form. The use of Lego could be to educate young children to want to learn about history but in a fun, childish educational way. The use of Lego could also be poking fun by using plastic characters. The use of four soldiers could also resemble teamwork and the determination to place the flag in the rumble/soil. To present there pride and patriotic country. Each star on the flag represents each state of America but for example here it could resemble every single victim of the war. The flag here as well as all the other photos could resemble the freedom America has gained whereas in the 9/11 picture the freedom could represent the freedom of pain from the victims as the war heroes died to produce freedom for the country whereas the 9/11 victims has died in vain because of terrorist attacks on America. The shot type here is long shot at eye level this is used as a way of showing a human view observing the scene for example here would be a child. The use of the Lego would more likely o interest a child in wanting to learn about the war compared to just a picture.
Throughout all the war pictures the main use of the flag is used out of respect and pride. Showing the families and loved ones that America is proud of what they have achieved whereas in the 9/11 shot showing families that they do care and what has happened is unforgivable.