Sally Mann The New Mothers Analysis

The photograph, “The New Mothers”, by Sally Mann is not only a very contradicting photo, but is also viewed by many people to be a contradictory statement. The photograph appears contradictory because through this snap shot, Mann is stimulating the maturity of the children, and fostering the idea that all females will grow up to have a part in motherhood. Mann is challenging the global standpoint of femininity. It is an overall global view today, that whether you get married and then have children, or have children and then get married, most women will become a mother at some point in her life. Mann demonstrates several key elements in this photograph like the landscape, body language, focus, and the usage of props. These all are achieved …show more content…
Not only is she holding a cigarette in one hand, but she is pushing a stroller with the other. This immediately portrays the young girl as a mother, and evokes emotions from the audience such as concern for her and her child. These particular emotions are illustrated through the body language of the children, their positioning in the photograph, and the presence of the two dolls and cigarette. The older girl, who is pushing the stroller, is facing the camera with a very crude expression on her face. Her face is contracted with a very knit brow line, and her body is slouched with all of her weight on her left leg. These attributes altogether give the child an overall appearance of someone who is very hostile. It is the glance of this girl that directs the entire tone of the picture in a hostile manner. The other young girl is facing away from the camera as if to say she is ignoring the responsibilities that have been thrown upon her in motherhood. She is standing with her hand on her hip, baby doll in arm, and feet planted firmly on the ground. Her face appears to be a little more dismal than the older girl’s. The idea that her feet are planted firmly on the ground, blended with her facial expression, alludes the audience to believe that she has accepted society’s standard for her life, but she is not okay with the life she is living. Her firmly planted feet …show more content…
Society has a global standpoint on femininity that all females with grow up to have a part in motherhood, and ultimately this leads to accelerating the maturity of children. Sally Mann’s direct challenge of this standpoint is displayed in the photograph through atmosphere, body language, and props. Things such as the stroller, baby dolls, and Lolita glasses that are used as the two young girls play dress up really have a darker meaning that is not fully understood and captured by the children. All of these things combined allow Mann to convey the message of not every mother will be suitable for