Topic > Rosie The Riveter, The Popular Image During World War II

IndexIntroductionBodyConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionImages always seem to argue to narrow down a specific idea or ideas or even points of view in order to influence others who may view, whether through a mural, a photograph or even propaganda. Transparent, for example, is the image, used for propaganda purposes, of Norman Rockwell's “Rosie the Riveter”; her physique, the rivet gun sitting in her lap, and the widely held American flag as the backdrop against which Rockwell is trying to argue that women can participate in the workforce for strength, independence, and as a patriotic duty. plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay BodyRosie the Riveter was a popular image during World War II, which actually began as a song in the early 1940s by John Jacob Loeb and Redd Evans (Rosie the Riveter). She represented all working women, which is why she is called the "riveter". It was used to describe women who worked in the factories of an arms factory that produced and sold weapons (Rosie the Riveter). This image along with the other Rosie Riveter images by other artists were developed to become propaganda to get women to start working while men were at war (Rosie the Riveter). Propaganda in general was made for everyone and in the context of women working while the war was going on, in unusual circumstances being supported (Rosie the Riveter). The original Rosie the Riveter, created in 1943 by artist Norman Rockwell, was Mary Doyle Keefe, who he actually found to be a very beautiful woman when he first discovered her (Langer). Rockwell was looking for ways to take part in the war effort, which led him to create this image using Mary Doyle Keefe as a model for inspiration (Langer). While he gathered inspiration from his model Mary herself for this famous painting and although he found the model Mary very beautiful, he instead decided to take that inspiration and go beyond the illustrations of Rosie the Riveter by illustrating the exact opposite of what a stereotypical woman looks like, especially in this period (Langer) The image demonstrates how this would provide great strength to women entering the workforce. For example, with Rosie the Riveter's physique she was well built by the way Rockwell overemphasized her figure, with broad shoulders, with a muscular body that appeared unrealistic of the stereotypical woman, flexing both arms looking muscular. On a syntagmatic level, she is aware of the way her body is built, in such a strong form at least from neck to toe, that it seems to allow for the recognition that women can be just as tough as men, especially physically. One might instead assume that women must actually need to be built much like a man to enter the workforce from this image, but in reality his physique goes so far as to instead insist on showing and encouraging women who are able to participate. in the world of work because they too can be as strong as men without the same appearance as them. Not only does his physique exude that strong physical ability, but the strength also seems to be shown through the confidence in his physique. Confidence is demonstrated by her extremely solid physique and upright, stiff posture, the way she sits in what appears to be her work attire. This shows that as a woman she not only has confidence in herself in general, but that she knows she is confident specifically in being able to work, especiallyconsidering what he appears to be wearing, a business suit. It's clear here that, as a woman, being part of the workforce, provides that bold power to be able to take control and take advantage of your life, like having that ability to work. As a result of the structure of her physique, it is concluded that confidence is also what gives this woman her strength, which is the ability to recognize that she is just as capable of doing the same job as a man. Strength does not seem to be the main thing The only thing that seems to be expected for a woman participating in the workforce by this propaganda, it also shows that it would guarantee independence. The image acknowledges independence by showing the rivet gun positioned above her knees. The rivet gun clearly implies that she is capable of taking on the role or job of a man without any help, considering that she is on her knees, it is only her in this image, and she is wearing some kind of safety mask and glasses for work . The rivet gun overall implies that she is able to be self-sufficient in managing her own work, which allows her to be independent, revealing that other women can have that independence as well. Next to the rivet gun that is placed on her lap appears to be a lunchbox with the name “Rosie”, in addition to holding a sandwich, it also appears to imply independence. From a paradigmatic level, it can be assumed that the lunchbox and sandwich in her hand is capable of providing for herself, such that she can feed herself, possibly be able to have the financial means to provide for itself and possibly many other ways to do so. Since she is taking on the role and work of a man, it is also assumed that her independence in being part of the world of work allows her to take care of herself without any assistance. In addition to strength and independence, this also suggests that entering the workforce is a patriotic duty. For example, the American flag takes up the entire background of the image, being the second most notable meaning, aside from Rosie. The American flag may seem to imply that if women decided to work, it would be an honorable decision to support the country and show that they are truly patriotic in wanting to see their country succeed in finding jobs while men are at war. The flag is not the only thing that demonstrates and supports that this would be a patriotic duty, this is also demonstrated by the book Mein Kampf on which Rosie is resting her feet. This famous book was written by Adolf Hitler and his ideals in Nazism. It is possible that there is an insinuation that a working woman would never have been seen in Hitler's ideals, which is why it may be that she maintains her position on this book. This can be considered a patriotic duty because he is placing his feet on top. of the book also because it is the basis of the propaganda that can be done to support her, a woman in America who knows how to work. It is significant overall because not only does she appear to be superior to him and his ideals in taking on this responsibility, but it shows that America is seen as superior and she demonstrates this by showing how patriotic she and the country as a whole are. Conclusion This propaganda overall shows that in order for America as a whole to try to convince women to try joining the workforce, there should be enough guidance to be able to persuade them to do so. This image illustrated and depicted by Norman Rockwell, indicates exactly why they should do so through the strength and independence they gain from doing so, as well as it being a patriotic duty to help support those who were in service. Here.. 2019 .