Marbled Headstone Analysis

The photograph of Patrick Joseph Donahue’s marbled, gray headstone was captured at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in the outskirts of Elwood, Illinois. His specific headstone stands beside and in front of other war veterans in the national cemetery as together they exemplify the dedication, impact, and commitment that these men and women display for the United States of America. The Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery stands as home to nearly half a million veterans who served in wars present and past. Few of these many veterans can be seen behind the gravesite of the United States Marine Corps veteran. The identical, marbled headstones appear to be neatly aligned in horizontal and diagonal rows to duplicate the endless lines of marching soldiers in uniform. The gravesite and detail engraved within the headstone of the beloved veteran specifically allows Donahue to stand out …show more content…
The dark shadow replicates the image of the veteran’s headstone as it is easily visible among the freshly trimmed, green grass. The shadow itself serves as a reminder to the viewers of the photograph that even though the veteran in the front of the photograph may not be able to see the other veterans standing behind him, they will always be there. Typically, most people who would view the photograph think of a cemetery as an eerie or depressing place, but in reality the patriotic colors combined with the sun shining off of Donahue’s grave truly make the setting beautiful. The foreground of the photograph clearly states the veteran’s accomplishments and memories, which describe without words the dedication that not only this man, but the others who are buried behind him put into the United States of America as they fought for their