Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now!
Social Science
History
Columbia is carrying a school book and telegraph wires, while a train follows behind her. Why do you think those items are given that place of honor in this painting?

Columbia is carrying a school book and telegraph wires, while a train follows behind her. Why do you think those items are given that place of honor in this painting?

icon
Related questions
Question

Columbia is carrying a school book and telegraph wires, while a train follows behind her. Why do you think those items are given that place of honor in this painting? 

The image depicts "American Progress," a painting by John Gast, which illustrates the concept of Manifest Destiny in the United States during the 19th century. ### Description: - **Central Figure:** A large, ethereal woman in flowing white robes, representing "Columbia," the personification of the United States, moves westward. She carries a book labeled "School Book" and telegraph wires, symbolizing education and communication. - **Foreground:** On the right, settlers and pioneers traverse the land with oxen and a covered wagon. This part of the scene is brighter, representing settled areas and the advancement of civilization. - **Background:** - On the left, darker clouds linger above Native Americans, bison, and other wildlife, symbolizing the "untamed" western frontier. - In the sky above, stormy clouds are replaced by clear skies, illustrating the idea of civilization moving across the land. - **Infrastructure:** Shows the progress of technology and transportation with trains, telegraph lines, and stagecoaches following the settlers. ### Symbolism: The painting illustrates the idea of Manifest Destiny, a 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable. The movement from east to west symbolizes progress, the spread of education, technology, and civilization, often at the expense of indigenous populations and wildlife shown retreating from the foreground.
Transcribed Image Text:The image depicts "American Progress," a painting by John Gast, which illustrates the concept of Manifest Destiny in the United States during the 19th century. ### Description: - **Central Figure:** A large, ethereal woman in flowing white robes, representing "Columbia," the personification of the United States, moves westward. She carries a book labeled "School Book" and telegraph wires, symbolizing education and communication. - **Foreground:** On the right, settlers and pioneers traverse the land with oxen and a covered wagon. This part of the scene is brighter, representing settled areas and the advancement of civilization. - **Background:** - On the left, darker clouds linger above Native Americans, bison, and other wildlife, symbolizing the "untamed" western frontier. - In the sky above, stormy clouds are replaced by clear skies, illustrating the idea of civilization moving across the land. - **Infrastructure:** Shows the progress of technology and transportation with trains, telegraph lines, and stagecoaches following the settlers. ### Symbolism: The painting illustrates the idea of Manifest Destiny, a 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable. The movement from east to west symbolizes progress, the spread of education, technology, and civilization, often at the expense of indigenous populations and wildlife shown retreating from the foreground.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTIONCheck out a sample Q&A here
Blurred answer