This shift in authority starts with this image, in which two large hands are shown in tandem. In frame is a white and clean hand with a large jeweled ring on its finger, contrasted with a textured dark hand strangling it. The darker hand appears to belong to the working class, strangling the elitist hand of the jury, and the white other oppressors within the narrative. The perspective and placement of these two hands within the scene create a resemblance to actual human figures, suggesting a death of this oppression. The images following this one replace the large portrayal of the oppressors hands, with a growth in relative size of hands belonging to the working class. Through this repeating aesthetic and depiction of hands, authority and power hierarchies are reinforced throughout the progression of the story.
I think noting the size of the hands is a very interesting concept and could be taken in many different directions. Noting that the hands demonstrate authority and hierarchy while also symbolizing the solidarity of the masses is an important element of the text.
ReplyDeleteSomething that you could touch on with this particular image here is how the death of the oppressor could mean two different things. One, the death of the oppressor symbolizes a working class victory or conversely, this image could also be another means of perpetuating black violence as the black hand violently strangles the white hand. Since art is such an interpretable medium, touching on these two possible meanings could create an even deeper analysis to this already interesting topic!
I like your astute observation of the lack of disparity between hand sizes towards the end of Scottsboro, when laborers begin to unify and assert their rights.
ReplyDeleteIt would further nourish the analysis to note the level of detail, size, and overall distinguishability of both the black laborer, white laborer, and white capitalist throughout the work—not just the hands, but the entire figures—to add to the impact of this visual of a firm, colored hand, grasping onto to a clawing, exasperated white one. In the last section of the book, both black laborer and white laborer were nearly indistinguishable from one another, and because this particular cut was drawn from the last chapter, the only way viewers are able to identify the white hand as the capitalist's white hand (versus the white laborer's hand) is due to the massive ring planted on his finger. Think about how the interpretation of the cut would change drastically if there was no ring on the white hand. This speaks to the art form—one tiny omission of the ring, a symbol of opulence, and the meaning would change completely. This really goes to show how every minute detail in the cut works to convey a point.