Abuse has been an issue for a long time and has attracted the attention of not only policymakers but artists, who were eager to illuminate the detrimental effect of maltreatment through visuals and words. In the given visual, one can see a child who is crying. The hand that represents abusive remarks grips the young boy’s neck. In this photograph, the artist emphasizes the power of words and their influence on people’s mental states. As the author accentuated, one should use the words wisely so that not to hurt another individual. Thus, the visual influences not only the emotions of the audience by incorporating pathos but implements the overall color of the photograph to demonstrate a grim atmosphere and stylistic choices to emphasize the scope of the issue.
When looking at the photograph, the first thing that the author intends to achieve is to bring out emotions in the audience. While many images carry philosophical meaning, the given visual tends to put the meaning on the surface. The photograph and the remark appeal to pathos, striving to first show the emotions of the child in the picture and then accentuating how the words shown through the hand around the boy’s neck can be suffocating. Among the remarks one can observe in the hand are “moron,” “punk,” “worthless,” “pig,” and “Is that all?” (Lennineduusada, n.d.).This way, the author convinces the audience of the hurtful nature of words by giving them the distinct examples mentioned above. The author wishes that the audience can feel about the matter the way they feel.
Furthermore, the author accentuates the grim atmosphere of the photograph by using neutral colors with grey undertones. The author of the art puts effort into depicting the lack of cheerfulness. Nevertheless, in the photograph, among the distinguished parts are the abusive remarks shown as a hand and colored black and white remark that calls to action and rethinks one’s approaches toward others. By implementing this technique, the author accentuates the overall mood and emphasizes the essential parts.
Lastly, among the strengths of the visual is also the stylistic choice that aids in highlighting the detrimental effect of the issue. The comment on the photograph says, “Your words have power, use them wisely.” When looking at the art and the remark, one can see that the author used metaphor. After indicating the power of one’s comments, one can see that the hand holding the neck of the boy resembles such power. The child seems vulnerable and helpless and as if looking at the abuser in the hope for the pain to stop. Thus, the word power in the comment implies the hand, and the author calls for such an approach to stop.
Hence, the visual argument is effective since it influences the audience’s emotions not just via the use of pathos but also through the use of the general hue of the image to convey a gloomy atmosphere and style choices to accentuate the gravity of the problem. By using specific examples, the author uses pathos to persuade the audience of the harmful nature of words. Additionally, the author highlights the gloomy vibe of the image by selecting neutral hues with grey undertones. The abusive statements, which are depicted in the image as a hand and are colored black, and the call to action, which is depicted in white, stand out as distinctive elements. Lastly, one of the visual’s benefits is the style decision that helps to emphasize the problem’s negative effects. One may see that the author employed metaphor by examining the artwork and the statement.
Reference
Lennineduusada. (n.d.). My story. Web.