Introduction
The picture by Brent Stirton is a vivid depiction of the struggles many people faced due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Due to the isolation measures implemented in Ventura, California, during the pandemic in 2020, the image beautifully depicts the heartbreaking moment when an older woman is seen interacting with her toddler grandson through a glass door.
The picture serves as a poignant reminder of the devastation the virus has wrought on people’s lives worldwide. It is a representation of the emotional and physical walls people have had to build to safeguard their loved ones and themselves, as well as the toll these obstacles have had on their social ties and mental health. People’s ability to stay in touch and assist one another during this trying period is a monument to the human spirit’s tenacity. With warm tones and a layout that depicts an older woman yearning to touch her grandson through the glass, the image effectively conveys the dangers of isolation.
Background
The author, Brent Stirton, is a renowned photojournalist whose image of an older woman and a toddler was featured in USA Today. The target audience for the image is the general public, and its purpose is to evoke an emotional response in viewers. The image’s context is pandemic-related, and the tone is somber. The image is photojournalism, and the design is simple yet powerful. The constraints of the image are the limitations imposed by the pandemic, such as social distancing and quarantine. Lastly, the exigence of the image is to document the impact of the pandemic on human lives. Therefore, anyone viewing the given picture can understand the message being communicated to the masses.
Rhetoric
Visual Tools
As for the image’s rhetorical strategies, they are designed to have a particular impact on the spectator. The use of pale, soft tones of red, blue, and beige conveys a sense of calm and serenity amid the chaos of the pandemic. The image’s layout, with the older woman and her grandson separated by the glass door, emphasizes the physical distance between them. The contrast between the inside and outside of the house highlights the isolation and confinement experienced by the individuals. While the audience is meant to feel the warmth of a united family, the picture remains complicated by the barriers between its characters.
Ethos
The picture employs ethos, pathos, and logos to captivate its viewers through persuasive rhetoric. The ethos of the image is established through the author’s credibility and the authenticity of the subject matter. In this case, the image’s author is Brent Stirton, a renowned photojournalist, and the subject is COVID-19, a global pandemic that affects people worldwide.
Pathos
The pathos of the image is evident in the emotional response it evokes from the viewer, such as empathy and sorrow. Looking at the older woman, who is genuinely happy to see her family, and the clueless child evokes feelings of sympathy.
Logos
Finally, the logos of the image is demonstrated through the logical connection between the image and the impact of the pandemic on human lives. It illustrates how, in a matter of days, millions of lives can be disrupted by forces beyond human control.
Context
Regarding the article from which the picture originated, it aligns with the current analysis. The USA Today material supports the present arguments of the dangerous force of the pandemic and its influence on the most vulnerable populations, such as older people. In the article, while discussing the pandemic, the authors Presley and Frist convey the message that the elderly are “dying because of it, not of it” (Presley and Frist). This highlights the fact that it is not the global epidemic itself that is the problem, but rather the social isolation that jeopardizes people’s health. Writers emphasize that for those suffering from serious illness and senior age, social isolation and loneliness are significant risk factors for an increased death rate (Presley and Frist). As a result, the only opportunity for the elderly population to be with others was during hospice care.
Conclusion
Hence, the image is effective in conveying the message about the perils of isolation, thanks to the warm tones and layout that depict an older woman wishing to touch her grandchild despite the glass door. The image of an older woman communicating with her toddler grandson through a glass door during the 2020 pandemic isolation in Ventura, California, is a powerful reminder of the pandemic’s impact on human lives. The image’s rhetorical situation, along with the rhetorical strategies and appeals employed, significantly contributes to its emotional impact. This image serves as a reminder that people must continue to prioritize the health and safety of individuals worldwide to prevent such devastating situations in the future.
Work Cited
Presley, Martha K. and Frist, Bill. “Seniors Are Becoming COVID-19 Collateral Damage. They’re Dying Because of It, Not of It.” USA Today, 2020.