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Who are the people behind and next to her? Explain what they are doing and why. (

Who are the people behind and next to her? Explain what they are doing and why. (

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Who are the people behind and next to her? Explain what they are doing and why. (

In this artwork titled "American Progress" by John Gast (circa 1872), the scene vividly illustrates the concept of Manifest Destiny, conveying the 19th-century belief in the inevitable expansion of the United States across the American continent. ### Description: 1. **Central Figure:** A large female figure, robed in flowing white, personifies America itself. She is depicted as an angelic, guiding force moving westward. In her right hand, she carries a book labeled "School Book," symbolizing the spread of education and enlightenment. In her left hand, she holds telegraph wire, representing technological advancement. Her presence brings light to the otherwise darkened western landscape. 2. **Background Elements:** - **Left (West):** The scene shows a rugged, untamed landscape with dark stormy clouds, symbolizing the wild, uncharted territories. Native Americans on horseback are depicted retreating in the face of progress. - **Right (East):** The backdrop reveals a bright, developed eastern landscape with bustling cities, farms, and ships, portraying civilization and progress. 3. **Foreground Movement:** - **Pioneers and Settlers:** A wagon train, pioneers on horseback, and farmers plowing the fields illustrate the westward movement of settlers. - **Locomotive and Stagecoach:** In the middle ground, a locomotive and a stagecoach indicate the advancement of transportation and communication. 4. **Animals:** Various animals, including bison and elk, occupy the left side, indicating the abundance of wildlife in the undisturbed western territories. ### Interpretation: This painting encapsulates the spirit of American exploration and expansion during the 19th century. It highlights themes of progress, civilization, and the transformative impact of technology and transportation in shaping the nation's history. The juxtaposition of light and dark, civilization versus wilderness, reflects the era's complex narrative of growth and its effects on indigenous populations and the natural environment.
Transcribed Image Text:In this artwork titled "American Progress" by John Gast (circa 1872), the scene vividly illustrates the concept of Manifest Destiny, conveying the 19th-century belief in the inevitable expansion of the United States across the American continent. ### Description: 1. **Central Figure:** A large female figure, robed in flowing white, personifies America itself. She is depicted as an angelic, guiding force moving westward. In her right hand, she carries a book labeled "School Book," symbolizing the spread of education and enlightenment. In her left hand, she holds telegraph wire, representing technological advancement. Her presence brings light to the otherwise darkened western landscape. 2. **Background Elements:** - **Left (West):** The scene shows a rugged, untamed landscape with dark stormy clouds, symbolizing the wild, uncharted territories. Native Americans on horseback are depicted retreating in the face of progress. - **Right (East):** The backdrop reveals a bright, developed eastern landscape with bustling cities, farms, and ships, portraying civilization and progress. 3. **Foreground Movement:** - **Pioneers and Settlers:** A wagon train, pioneers on horseback, and farmers plowing the fields illustrate the westward movement of settlers. - **Locomotive and Stagecoach:** In the middle ground, a locomotive and a stagecoach indicate the advancement of transportation and communication. 4. **Animals:** Various animals, including bison and elk, occupy the left side, indicating the abundance of wildlife in the undisturbed western territories. ### Interpretation: This painting encapsulates the spirit of American exploration and expansion during the 19th century. It highlights themes of progress, civilization, and the transformative impact of technology and transportation in shaping the nation's history. The juxtaposition of light and dark, civilization versus wilderness, reflects the era's complex narrative of growth and its effects on indigenous populations and the natural environment.
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