Cultural Artifacts Research Paper

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Pages: 3

Cultural Artifacts
The humanities consist of the study of humans and culture. As we continue to examine the humanities, we also learn the impact that humanities as a whole, as well as the impact that individual artifacts have within their given cultural and historical context. The first artifact that I chose to examine is “Raising the flag on Iwo Jima”. Originally photographed by Joe Rosenthal on February 23rd, 1945, the Pulitzer prize stated that, “it was perhaps the best-known Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph" From the Pulitzer files War + Peace; "Joe Rosenthal and the flag-raising on Iwo Jima" nd. The second piece of work that I chose was the Uncle Sam "I Want You" poster created by James Montgomery Flagg in 1916. Arguably the greatest
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The theme of patriotism is expressed in the “Raising the flag at Iwo Jima” photo because it shows service men proudly displaying the U.S. Flag during battle, flying the flag at the top of Mt. Suribachi as if to say “we’ve already won”. The “Uncle Sam I Want You” poster expressed patriotism by becoming a face of a country and a relatable figure. The major differences in the two works would be the medium, though they are both works of art one is a photograph and the other is a painting.
Personal Experience
The theme of Patriotism is particularly meaningful to me as I am an Active Duty military member and have been for 8 years. I've come across the "I Want You" poster many times and was inspiring to myself and many others, and after the poster was initially released "1.3 million men and more than twenty thousand women volunteered to serve in the armed services abroad"(Oxford Press, 2008). Lastly, my grandfather fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima and the stories I heard when I was young were inspirational, and told of young men who would fight and die if need be for their country and that's what I've chosen to do also. He kept this photo in his office since I could remember and when ever I would see it I would envision myself in